The Information Technology Division manages and supports the City’s technology infrastructure, applications, and databases utilized by all City departments to provide critical services to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

All City employees are practicing CDC and federal guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.  Information Technology Division staff have been working from home as much as possible to prevent the spread of the virus and continue to provide 24/7/365 support to all City departments including public safety.

“We maintain and support critical public safety systems including the computer aided dispatching and records management system utilized by the Cities of Rocklin and Lincoln Police and Fire Departments.  In addition, we will be providing support to the City of Auburn when they begin using the system later this year,” IT Manager Brian Graves said. 

At the start of the public health crisis, Information Technology Division staff performed an important upgrade of the public safety dispatch system to include dispatch protocols for COVID-19.

Centrally managed virtual desktop computers hosted in the City’s data center are delivered as a service to City employees working from home during the pandemic.  The virtual desktop computers can be securely accessed by City staff from any Internet-connected computer via a web browser or a mobile app on tablet computers and smartphones.

“The City was an early adopter of virtualization technologies which drastically simplified the transition to telework for many City employees complying with public health directives to shelter in place,” Graves said. 

The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team provides up-to-date information and maps to the essential City workers and departments that continue to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To support our residents, the GIS team created an interactive map showing locations offering nutrition assistance to the community. The Nutrition Services Interactive Map allows residents to find the closest nutrition services available to their homes.  They can then determine what type of assistance is available, what agencies are providing the services, and how these resources are being distributed.

“Our community has come together to offer resources for those in need and we wanted to use the tools we have to support these organizations and make this information accessible and easy to find,” said GIS Analyst Lauren James.

The GIS Division also actively participates in data sharing initiatives with neighboring cities and the county and distributes information related to the latest GIS offerings associated with the outbreak including the Placer County COVID-19 Dashboard.

The Information Technology Division is currently working to expand the use of online meeting and collaboration services and will soon be working with City departments to implement electronic document signing and electronic plan review.

“We look forward to continuing our work with City departments to implement technologies that will maximize workforce mobility, streamline business processes, and provide a higher level of service to the community,” Graves said.