KMZ Access Removed/Inoperable for Leaders

[bretep]

As a Stake Communications Specialist, I've found the KML files indispensable for orchestrating effective radio communications. The ability to visualize terrain and architectural barriers such as hills, buildings, and valleys through Google Earth and similar tools has been critical in refining our communication strategies.

I'm not privy to the entire rationale behind the removal of KML files; however, it seems plausible that employees at church headquarters might utilize them, especially given their significance in delineating precise boundaries. I advocate for the accessibility of these files to Stake and Ward Leadership and Stake Communications Specialists.

I hope that this message reaches both the committee responsible for removing the KML files from CDOL and the decision-makers who manage these crucial resources.

[BrianEdwards]

As a Stake Communications Specialist, I've found the KML files indispensable for orchestrating effective radio communications. The ability to visualize terrain and architectural barriers such as hills, buildings, and valleys through Google Earth and similar tools has been critical in refining our communication strategies.

I'm not privy to the entire rationale behind the removal of KML files; however, it seems plausible that employees at church headquarters might utilize them, especially given their significance in delineating precise boundaries. I advocate for the accessibility of these files to Stake and Ward Leadership and Stake Communications Specialists.

I hope that this message reaches both the committee responsible for removing the KML files from CDOL and the decision-makers who manage these crucial resources.

This Forum is primarily user-to-user feedback, and there's no direct connection between the Forum and Church departments (there's a few Church employees who participate, but they often are not decision-makers or are in different departments). Since this topic has been discussed in a few different threads (for example, see KML Map Files - Who to Contact?), I think it's unlikely that your post will have any additional effect, even if many Forum members agree with your viewpoint.

As mentioned in the linked thread, my personal thought is that it's much more likely for change to occur if you communicate this up your "chain of command". It's been suggested that Stake Communications Specialists might have direct contact with somebody at the Area level, and that this person might be a better avenue to advocate for local access to KMZ files, for emergency preparedness and similar efforts. Have you tried this route?

[Mikerowaved]

As a Stake Communications Specialist, I've found the KML files indispensable for orchestrating effective radio communications.

I can relate. Prior to the church making the KMZ files available via CDOL, I had Layton City contact the church to get a copy for emergency communications, as they (like other cities in the Wasatch Front) used the church's ward and stake boundaries for their emergency area and district boundaries respectively. The church always granted their requests, with the stipulation the maps only be used for emergency prep purposes.

This became unnecessary when the maps showed up in CDOL, but might be an avenue to explore now they're no longer available.

[bretep]

This became important to me after our massive reorganization of all boundaries in our Stake (outside of UT). I have the old KMLs, but they do no good for us anymore. I ask Leadership, and they stare at me and ask, what's a KML? They don't know how to communicate that up the chain. It's also very unimportant to them. These are the challenges I've been working with since November 2023, when the boundaries changed.

I imagine that Wards and Stakes that have not yet undergone a boundary change since the removal in 2022 will eventually be affected, and more requests will be made. We were unaffected until November 2023, for example.