Coastal Services Center

How to Determine Whether You Can (or Should) Use a Hazard Assessment Tool

Below are a few questions to help you think through the process of implementing the tool template. This list is by no means exhaustive and is intended to get you thinking about what is required to set up and maintain a successful hazard assessment tool. If you have questions or want additional information, email csc.hat@noaa.gov

• How is the hazard assessment tool going to help my program’s processes or goals? Does the tool’s functionality (the “search,” “identify,” and “results” features) fit or enhance an already existing process, such as permitting, public education, or other processes?
  
  
• Who is the audience for the tool, and how will they gain access to the tool and information?
  
  
• Do I have the data to support the purpose of the tool? If so, is it in a GIS format or can it be converted to a GIS format? Do I have enough supporting information to properly contextualize the tool and data?
  
  
• Do I have GIS staff members to support the tool (e.g., set-up and maintenance staff)? Do the GIS staff members support Internet mapping—either Arc Internet Map Server (ArcIMS) or open source (e.g. MapServer) — and do they have the necessary hardware, such as a Web server?