A National Hazards Information Strategy (NHIS)

Helen M. WoodDirector, Office of Satellite Data Processing & Distribution

“A coordinated approach for using

information to reduce disaster losses.”

NHIS - using information and technology to improve operational support to disaster preparation, response, and recovery

Better Information …Better Decisions … Reduced Losses

• User-driven interagency effort to facilitate information for disaster management

• Promotes coordinated, multi-source information availability & access

• Leverages existing capabilities across the federal, state, local, and private levels

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NHIS … coordinated information where, when and how it is needed

• Facilitates awareness of data resources across federal agencies

• Promotes processes and standards for information sharing

• Undertakes collaborative projects to enhance effective applications of available data

• Focuses on user needs

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NHIS … coordinated information where, when and how it is needed

TO:

• Assist federal, state, local, and private efforts to reduce disaster risks and losses

• Identify responders’ needs BEFORE a disaster strikes

• Support the availability of timely, accurate multi-source data and information when a disaster occurs

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Extensive Technical, Outreach, and Program Planning Activities

• Identified key opportunities to: – support disaster information requirements– leverage national programs– expand support to state and local level

• Key components:– mission partnerships (MOUs)– collaborative projects– private sector collaboration

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NHIS Collaboration Projects

(1) Multi-Hazard Mapping Program

(2) HAZUS

(3) Coastal Risk Atlas

(4) Fire Support

(5) Classified Data Integration

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Interagency Collaborative Efforts

Multi-Hazard Mapping Program

• FEMA mandate to develop multi-hazard advisory maps for state and local governments

• Interoperable database access for wind, fire, earthquake, flood

• Support multi-source data integration and program collaboration to enhance advisories and mitigation planning

• NHIS funding to support development of a web-based mapping tool to distribute digital hazard and GIS data

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Interagency Collaborative Efforts

HAZUS

• Standardized methodology and software tool to develop natural hazard loss estimates for mitigation, response, recovery, and reconstruction

– initial efforts focused on earthquake losses– flood and wind models under development– hurricane Preview Model being developed for Atlantic and Gulf Coast region

communities

• NHIS funding incorporation of real time wind field data into the hurricane module

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60 - 6565 - 7070 - 7575 - 8080 - 8585 - 9090 - 9595 - 100100 - 105

Hurricane Bertha - Swath ofPeak Gust Wind Speeds (mph)

Interagency Collaborative Efforts

Coastal Risk Atlas

• NOAA effort to provide data identification and access for community risk management tools

• Pilot demonstration for coastal storms and impacts

• Initial development for Mississippi Gulf Coast and St. Johns River regions; expand to FEMA Region IV

• NHIS funding development of middleware to access/transform data types

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• Multi-agency coordinated effort

– supports use of multi-source information to

support wildfire mitigation, detection,

monitoring, recovery, and fire weather

• Collaboration– National Interagency Fire Center– National Fire Sciences Laboratory– Forest Service Geographic Centers– National Association of State Foresters– NWS Fire Weather Program

Interagency Collaborative Efforts

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Fire Support

Leveraging Classified Data

• Collaborative effort to provide enhanced natural/manmade hazard support utilizing an advanced fusion algorithm

• Integrated Hazard Information System (IHIS)

• Initial effort focused on fire detection, monitoring, and volcanic ash cloud tracking

Interagency Collaborative Efforts

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Integrated Hazards Information SystemIntegrated Hazards Information System