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Glossary

This page explains the key terms used in Karttahimmeli and in search and rescue operations. A translation table is provided at the end of the page.

Operation

In Karttahimmeli, an operation is a single event or search task that users join using an operation ID. The system supports an unlimited number of operations.

Operation vs. mission

Different languages sometimes use different words for the same thing — for example, mission is often used instead of operation. In Karttahimmeli these mean exactly the same thing. For consistency across languages, the system uses only one term throughout: operation.

Operation ID

opTitle — The operation ID is the identifier used to join an operation as a member. Technical access keys and encryption keys are derived from it.

  • Minimum length: 12 characters
  • Upper and lower case letters are treated as identical
  • Special characters are removed automatically

Example: EventNAME 12.12.2019 and eventname12122019 lead to the same operation.

The operation ID cannot be changed after the operation has been created.

Technical Operation ID

opID — A technical identifier used when communicating with the backend system.

Team Identifier

team — The unique identifier for a team, e.g. Dog-03. The team identifier can be two-part: a main part and a member identifier separated by a slash, e.g. Dog-03/tk.

Member Identifier

The part of the team identifier after the slash, e.g. /tk. The member identifier distinguishes an individual person or device within a multi-member team. All members of the same team can be filtered and searched as a single unit.

Location Trail

The location history drawn on the map, showing the route of a team or tracker over a selected time window. The trail length is adjustable in settings.

Situational Picture

The Karttahimmeli map view with all locations, annotation markers, and areas — the common operational picture that all users joined to an operation see in real time.

Observation Log

A record of observation entries made during an operation. The log lets you view and search previous observations in whatever order you want.

Annotation

An observation marker placed on the map. An annotation can include an observation type, description, and the wind data recorded at the time of the observation.

Area

A polygon drawn on the map. The "Area" tool in Karttahimmeli covers two distinct SAR concepts:

  • Search area — the total geographic region under consideration, typically bounded by the outermost probability ring
  • Segment — the unit of work assigned to one resource for one operational period, with a calculated probability of detection (POD)

Segment

In the literature, the basic unit of search work in SAR doctrine: a geographic area assigned to a single resource (search team, dog team, or aircraft) for one operational period. Each segment has a POD (Probability of Detection) calculated from coverage and sweep width. POD values across segments are summed to give the overall POS (Probability of Success) for the search area. In Karttahimmeli, segments are drawn with the Area tool and named following the naming conventions.

Layers

In Karttahimmeli, layers are information overlays displayed on top of the map. Markings, areas, and plans can be drawn onto and moved between layers. Location sharing can also be done directly onto a layer, but shared routes/tracks cannot be moved from one layer to another.

50 m Grid

A special type of observation marking used for coordinating event areas. The grid divides an area into 50-metre squares, referenced by a letter-number combination, e.g. B4 (rows A, B, C…, columns 1, 2, 3…).

Search Planning Starting Point (IPP)

Initial Planning Point — The starting point for search and rescue planning — the location from which the search begins or where the observation/sighting was last confirmed.

MSO

Managing Search Operations refers to a search method in which the missing person's last confirmed sighting location — the point from which the search is launched — plays an important role. In Karttahimmeli, the MSO point is placed as a special observation marker with a subject profile assigned to it. The profile calculates probability distances to aid search planning.

Event First Aid Cover

First aid and medical staff on duty at an event. Typically organised at a designated first aid post or in the form of roving teams.

Security Staffing / Stewarding

Personnel responsible for safety and order at an event.

Team Shortcuts

Quick-access buttons that appear along the right edge of the map — one button per active team, with all its members. Clicking a button centres the map on that team's location. See Settings — Team Shortcuts.

Search and Rescue (SAR)

Joint operations by authorities and volunteers to find and rescue missing or endangered persons.

Translation Table

Suomi English Svenska Eesti Nederlands Español
operaatio operation operation operatsioon operatie operación
operaatiotunnus operation ID insats-ID operatsioonitunnus operatie-ID ID de operación
partion tunnus team identifier patrull-ID patrulli tunnus team-ID ID de equipo
jäsentunnus member identifier medlemsidentifierare liikmetunnus lid-ID ID de miembro
reittihäntä location trail positionsspår liikumisjälg locatiespoor rastro de ubicación
tilannekuva situational picture lägesbild olukorrapilt operationeel beeld cuadro de situación
havaintopäiväkirja observation log observationslogg vaatluspäevik waarnemingenlogboek registro de observaciones
merkintä annotation / observation marker markering märgistus markering marca / marcador de observación
alue area / polygon område ala gebied área / polígono
tasot layers lager kihid lagen capas
ruudukko 50 m 50 m grid rutnät 50 m 50 m ruudustik raster van 50 m cuadrícula de 50 m
lähtöpiste (IPP) initial planning point (IPP) initialt planeringspunkt (IPP) alguspunkt (IPP) beginpunt (IPP) punto de inicio (IPP)
etsintäalue search area sökområde otsinguala zoekgebied área de búsqueda
segmentti (lohko) segment söksektor / segment segment (lohk) segment (sector) segmento (sector)
havaitsemistodennäköisyys POD (Probability of Detection) POD (Probability of Detection) POD (Probability of Detection) POD (Probability of Detection) POD (Probability of Detection)
etsintäonnistumistodennäköisyys POS (Probability of Success) POS (Probability of Success) POS (Probability of Success) POS (Probability of Success) POS (Probability of Success)
MSO MSO MSO MSO MSO MSO
ensiapupäivystys event first aid cover sjukvårdsbevakning esmaabivalve evenementenhulpverlening (EHBO) asistencia sanitaria en eventos (DRP)
järjestyksenvalvonta security staffing / stewarding ordningsvaktsverksamhet korrapidamine evenementenbeveiliging seguridad y orden del evento
partiopikapainikkeet team shortcuts patrullgenvägar patrulli kiirvalikud teamsnelkoppelingen accesos directos de equipo
etsintä- ja pelastustoiminta search and rescue (SAR) sök- och räddningsinsats otsingu- ja päästetegevus (SAR) opsporing en redding (SAR) búsqueda y rescate (SAR)

External terminology references

The primary reference — lost person behaviour and statistical distances

MSO method and hasty search

Swedish-language references — EFP (Efterforskning av försvunna personer)