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Outreach Portfolio
FEMA HAZUS-MH Multi-Hazard Loss Estimation Methodology Program A Crystal Ball for Disaster Mitigation  FEMA´s HAZUS program is centered around a geographic information systems (GIS) based software that enables communities to model disaster scenarios to determine their impacts.
Risk assessments from HAZUS equip communities with the knowledge to develop mitigation plans that aim to reduce loss of life and property damage from earthquakes, hurricane wind, and floods. Potential loss estimations analyzed in HAZUS include: - Physical damage to residential and commercial buildings, schools, critical facilities, and infrastructure
- Economic loss including lost jobs, business interruptions, repair and reconstruction costs
- Social impacts including estimates of shelter requirements, displaced households, and population exposed to scenario floods, earthquakes and hurricanes
Challenge
Risk assessments from HAZUS provide quantified loss estimations that help communities articulate the value of mitigation to decision makers and prioritize their mitigation efforts. HAZUS´ accuracy is dependent upon both the quality of the underlying geographic data and the user's understanding of how to model the flood, wind or earthquake hazard. Under subcontract to ASI, HAZUS engaged Outreach Process Partners to assist with Outreach Strategy and Stakeholder Relations. The goal is to extend the benefits of HAZUS to the Nation through education about of its capabilities and how to properly use it, thereby encouraging its wider use for preparedness and mitigation. OPP's Support: - "Strategic Plan Summary" — Working closely with the HAZUS Program Manager, OPP drafted a one-page summary defining "What is HAZUS?" Its history, mission, vision, and goals. This is used internally at FEMA to educate others about the program.
- Outreach Strategic Plan — this document articulated the primary and secondary stakeholders, noting that different approaches were needed to reach both:
- A technical audience: GIS experts and engineering scientists who install and use HAZUS, and
- A non-technical audience: FEMA leadership and state/local planners who use HAZUS information to make informed investments for hazard mitigation
Updated the HAZUS-MH flyers:
HAZUS Overview: Used a "take another look" approach in the overview flyer by emphasizing the recent enhancements and updated data sets. Noted how HAZUS loss estimates can be used as support for "cost-benefit analysis" in certain types of FEMA Mitigation Grants
HAZUS Training: Consolidated two separate training flyers (on-line training and classroom training) into a single page summary and launched a "HAZUS Trained Professional" program
Science Inside: Drafted "the science inside" flyer series to educate the non-technical decision makers (who would never open the technical manuals) on the many partnerships and latest engineering science incorporated into HAZUS, and to also open a dialogue with the technical user community
- Raised awareness of HAZUS in the trade press — American City and County, County News online edition, GISWeekly magazine, and Podcast discussion on Very Spatial Podcast. OPP lined up six media interviews with GIS trade publication editors at the booth during the International ESRI (GIS) User Conference with HAZUS´ program manager
- Implemented performance measures for show participation by creating talking points for booth staff and tracking the number of HAZUS software order forms taken
- Created quantifiable, goal-oriented monthly progress reports — OPP collects demographic information and survey responses from Emergency Management Institute training courses, website traffic and eNews subscriptions on FEMA.gov, gathering data to measure outreach performance and prepare trend reports over time
- HAZUS Strategic Plan FY 2009-2013 - provided research and writing support to the Program Manager, linking HAZUS goals to DHS/FEMA/Mitigation goals and including five year targeted deliverables that could be achieved if funded
Created quantifiable monthly progress reports and OMB Reports to measurable progress — These reports that show progress and trends in the training programs, software development, and outreach that are intended for OMB and FEMA management
Results: Interest in HAZUS is increasing, with several new regional HAZUS User Groups formed and increased requests for the software from FEMA's Warehouse. Next: View US Army Corps Web site Overhaul>
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