A new computerized mapping system could mean the difference between life and death in a fire to thousands of Natchez-Adams&160;County residents.

And it could also help with more mundane tasks like mapping all the roads, ditches and streams in the area.

Some city officials say the Geographical Information System (GIS) will be a tool everyone can use if the City of Natchez and Adams&160;County decide to work together to purchase it.

Tom Heard of the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District gave a presentation to the Adams County Board of Supervisors and city employees Monday about the system and its benefits.

&uot;It’s really paying off for them (in Madison County),&uot; Heard said.

With the use of digital photography, GIS is used for mapping things like the location of all vehicle burglaries in a town in a given time-period or for keeping track of building plans to aid fire fighters in their work.

&uot;The uses are limited only by the information you’re willing to put in it,&uot; Heard said.

GIS could also be used for such things as keeping track of utilities and zoning or mapping drainage and road problems.

&uot;It’s just a good tool for everybody to use,&uot;&160;said City Engineer David Gardner.

Four counties in the state are already making use of the system.

To fund GIS for Natchez-Adams County, local officials are seeking a grant from the Soil and Water Conservation District.

The grant would finance half of the $70,700 cost, and city officials are hoping the remaining expense will be split evenly between the city and the county.

Gardner told the group that to avoid duplication of services, he would like to see &uot;one unified network we all can use.&uot;

If Natchez-Adams County decides to purchase the equipment, entering all the relevant data would be an ongoing process that could take around five to seven years, Heard said.