Overview of FEMA’s Multihazard Mapping Initiative Scott McAfee January 22, 2001

Origin of Project Disaster Mitigation Act 2000; Section 203 Develop multihazard advisory maps –Identify applicable natural hazards –Be developed in consultation with primary users –Utilize cost effective and efficient technology –Should not affect existing policies 5 communities in different states Mitigation zones No funding

MMI Strategy Build off of existing FEMA initiatives –GIS Atlas/Clearinghouse (Web GIS) Modified deliverables to ramp up a working system quickly –Open GIS Consortium – MMI-1 Pilot Develop a prototype interoperable hazard map network Avoid duplication and keep costs down Develop policy through a users group –Mostly state and local government but federal participants welcome

Atlas/Clearinghouse Atlas –For public, emergency managers, planners, decision makers, etc. –Provides high contrast option for 508 –ArcIMS map viewer Clearinghouse –Upload and download of hazard data and metadata

Why Open GIS? Natural hazard data exist –in many formats –at all levels of government FEMA primarily responsible for flood maps Too much data and too dynamic to maintain in one place Many hazard maps are designed to have DOQQ or topographic base

Publish Visualize Discover OGCWEBSERVICESOGCWEBSERVICES = Web Server Open GIS Conceptual Architecture Value- Add Service/Data Registries Web Mapping - Data Servers Web Mapping - Portrayal Services State NGO Local Federal Hazard Map Sources University MMI-1 Framework Hazard Map Discovery and Visualization Web-Based Thin Clients & GIS Applications Applications

MMI Support Harvard Design and Mapping Michael Baker Jr. Corp. OGC and participants –Compusult –Cubeworks –Intergraph –Ionic –MapInfo –SAIC/ESRI

MMI Status Phase I – Current Status Develop a national web-based map server Establish links to, or incorporate external databases Recruit and coordinate with federal, state, and local partners Develop interoperability standards for hazard data exchange Goes Public January 28 In progress Current partners include NOAA, USGS In progress

Future plans Phase II & III Continue to develop and enhance the multi-hazard mapping network –Identify, develop, and implement required specs –Increase capabilities –Add Web Map Servers (esp. for base data) Add more federal, state, and local databases

Policy issues Not for disaster response (yet) Not for homeland security (yet) What are the incentives for other agencies to make their data available –Credit where credit is due: Logos? –How easy will it be for participants to set up services? –Use CAG to address these issues

Who are we building this for? Federal agencies NGO’s State agencies Emergency managers Local government GIS people Politicians General public

Conclusions Quick ramp up with proprietary system Make a part of NSDI; GS 1 stop; FEMA e- gov Phase in interoperability with little or no interruption to existing system Build partnerships and encourage data submittal and WMS development Continue funding to enhance the network