Several Leica Geosystems employees have responded to the catastrophe by working with state, local, federal and nonprofit organizations to provide spatial expertise and humanitarian support. These individuals have provided training to state disaster management agencies, support to federal departments, and assistance to international organizations. Atlanta-based employees of Leica Geosystems have additionally participated in a local charity drive to collect school supplies for the evacuees that are now enrolled in metropolitan Atlanta schools.

Leica Geosystems equipment, personnel, temporary software licenses, training and technical support, and other assistance are available for any organization with geospatial information needs while participating in the relief effort. Products provided include: Leica GS20 Professional Data Mapper, Leica DSW700 Digital Scanning Workstation, Leica ADS40 Airborne Digital Sensor, ERDAS IMAGINE®, Leica Photogrammetry Suite, Image Analysis™ for ArcGIS and Stereo Analyst® for ArcGIS.

 These have been employed to collect and process geospatial data for mapping applications to support search and rescue mission. Additionally, Leica Geosystems can facilitate: 

§        Classification of satellite imagery to show the advance / retreat of water

§        Assessment and orthorectification of before / after images to assist in relief efforts (such as identifying unobstructed roads or routes)

§        3D visualization to help with understanding spatial relationships

§        Creation of maps for printing or linking to a GPS for field work and navigation

§        Analysis of thermal-band imagery to identify trapped survivors

 "We have been not only following the news of the horrific devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other parts of the southern U.S., but have been involved with the relief efforts, all with a continual sense of shock," commented Bob Williams, Americas President of Leica Geosystems Inc. "The Leica Geosystems family would like to express its deepest sympathy to all the people affected in the crisis areas, including our colleagues, and their relatives and friends, some of whom have sadly lost everything."

 Bob Morris, President of Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging Division, continued: “Our thoughts are with those who were affected by the floods, and we offer our condolences to all who lost loved ones. We are committed to providing support to the relief teams now working in those areas, and all Leica Geosystems employees wish them much strength and endurance, in the hope that the effects of the storm can be overcome in the foreseeable future.”

About Leica Geosystems

With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the planet, professionals all over the world trust Leica Geosystems to ease the handling of spatial data. Leica Geosystems develops, manufactures and markets solutions that capture, analyze, model, and visualize spatial information in all dimensions. Based in Switzerland, Leica Geosystems delivers its advanced product technology and service capabilities through five divisions: Surveying & Engineering, GIS & Mapping, Metrology, Consumer Products, and High Definition Surveying. The global company supports tens of thousands of customers all over the world with an employee base greater than 2,400 people in 23 countries and through hundreds of partners in more than 120 nations. Leica Geosystems is a publicly listed company, registered with the Swiss Stock Exchange (LGSN-SWX). For more information see: www.leica-geosystems.com