Hazard Mapping and Modeling

1

Supporting Emergency Response Operations using
GIS and Modeling

• Hazard Mapping and Modeling

2
Objectives

• Explain the development and use of GIS and
  modeling in supporting emergency response
  operations.
• Identify and explain what spatial information and
  tools are needed in Emergency Response
• Explain the organizational requirements for GIS
  support in emergency operations

3
Development of GIS in Modeling Emergency Response
Operations

• GIS has been used by state emergency management
  agencies in disaster response since Hurricane
  Andrew in 1992.
• Remote sensing has been used during the last few
  years by state and local agencies.
• Maps are a key element in communicating complex
  data for decision making and for public
  information
• Data was provided to state and local agencies in
  support of emergency response activities
  following September 11, 2001.
• Examples include Airborne LIDAR and high
  resolution images.

4
GIS Applications in Supporting Emergency Response
Operations Include

• Hazard detection
• Identifying vulnerabilities
• Determining critical needs in the aftermath of
  disasters
• Developing evacuation routes
• Damage assessment mapping
• Risk perception and communication.

5
Ad Hoc Solutions to Collect Remote Sensing Data

• The solution for effective collection, analysis
  and use of remotely sensed data for emergency
  response, cleanup and recovery from a hazard
  event is a loosely structured and ad hoc
  approach.
• The structure for acquiring and using mapping and
  modeling data unfolds as the event develops.
• The window of opportunity for emergency response
  is very short and roughly 72 hours.

6
Displaying GIS Information for Emergency
Operations

• Disaster forecasting showing the extent and the
  areas to be impacted by a disaster
• Vulnerability analysis examining information on
  critical sites (hospitals, shelters, dams, or
  other critical facilities for a potential
  disaster).
• Damage assessments showing actual impacts
• Personnel resources including the contact
  information, location and potential use of
  resources.
• Resource inventory providing vital information
  for supplies, equipment and other items necessary
  in an emergency response.
• Critical infrastructure (transportation,
  utilities, medical and other vital sites for
  emergency response and recovery).
• Mass care and shelters

7
Geospatial Data is Needed in the Following
Applications

• Event mapping (prediction and warning)
• Response coordination and resource allocation
• Damage assessment
• Environmental monitoring
• Risk assessment
• Risk Communication
• Relief and resource locations
• Identification of vulnerable populations
• Lifeline status
• Evacuation efforts and status of transportation
  routes

8
Spatial Information Tools and Technology in
Emergency Response

• Widely available at the state and local levels

9
Question

• What type of geo-spatial data is needed in
  emergency response?
• Transportation infrastructure (accurate street
  and road coverage with street names and address
  ranges)
• Landcover (land-use classifications)
• Terrain (high resolution USGS DEM using LIDAR)
• Hydrography
• Local parcel data with land-use classifications
  and addresses
• Demographic information including distribution

10
Question

• How can the data be obtained to support emergency
  response activities?
• Planning and obtaining data prior to a disaster
  is critical.
• Other jurisdictions should be contacted for data
  layers appropriate for emergency response.
• FEMA will provide data to state and local
  jurisdictions as part of the overall emergency
  response.

11
Emergency Impact Data (collected immediately
following the disaster event)

• Weather conditions
• Flood inundation or nature and extent of the
  hazard event
• Status of lifelines and other critical
  infrastructure (utilities, transportation
  networks, levees dams)
• Damage to buildings, critical property,
  environmental impacts

12
Time Expectancy of Spatial Data

• Much of the data is needed within 24 hours of the
  disaster event
• In place monitoring is critical to data
  collection
• Remote sensing imaging is needed immediately

13
Sources of Remote Sensing Data

• Digital Globe (Quickbird)
• Image America
• SPOT
• IKONOS
• Radarsat
• MODIS
• AVHRR
• Landsat
• LIDAR from public and private providers

14
Uses of Remote Sensing Data

• Define the nature and extent of the risk zone
• Weather conditions
• Crop, vegetation, building and other
  environmental damage
• Status of lifelines
• Debris characteristics

15
Barriers to Using Remote Sensing Data

• Price
• Accuracy of the data
• Spatial resolution
• Time to collect and process the data
• Technical skills of users

16
Barriers to Utilizing Real Time Modeling in
Disaster Response

• Processing time of the program
• Complexity of data input
• Technical skills required of the program
• Spatial resolution of the model outputs
• Accuracy of the model results (limited if any
  model verification)
• Price of the modeling program

17
Successful Applications of GIS and Modeling
Technologies

• Baseline data must be current and available
• Personnel must be trained
• Software must be integrated
• Up-to-date computers
• Facilitate sharing of digital information

18
Question

• What advantages do outside providers bring to
  emergency responses that a designated staff
  member might provide over designating an internal
  staff member?

19
Question

• What types of organizational structure are needed
  for effective use of GIS in emergency response?