ArcGIS offerred at significant discount to nonprofits ...

THE GOOD NEWS...

ESRI has teamed with TechSoup Stock to make its ArcGIS geographic information system (GIS) software available to U.S. nonprofits and public libraries. Also included in this donation are an eight-module online training course and two textbooks. The processing fee for ArcView 9.3 is $175 - including training and reference books!

TechSoup.org is one of the nation's oldest and largest nonprofit technology assistance agencies, TechSoup.org offers nonprofits a one-stop resource for technology needs by providing free information, resources, and support. The Western Disaster Center, the managing activity for HAZUS.org, has been using TechSoup for over ten years and recommends it highly for discounted software and hardware.

THE BAD NEWS...

This special ESRI offer is for ArchView 9.3 so we need to wait for the release of HAZUS-MH MR-4 ... in the mean time HAZUS.org is polishing it's GIS "skills" ...

HAZUS-MH vs MEMPHIS

Laura Hite from the Florida Division of Emergency Management has prepared a presentation comparing the HAZUS-MH hurricance model to MEMPHIS - Mapping for Emergency Management, Parallel Information System. Download Presentation (.pdf)

For more info on MEMPHIS for Florida Mitigation Strategy Support, CLICK HERE ...

HAZUS.org has asked Laura for a discussion paper on this topic to supplement her presentation. If anybody has more info concerning MEMPHIS please pass it on.

USGS Shake Map HAZUS Format

Did you know that one of the Shakemap Product Formats that USGS provides after an earthquake is the "HAZUS ZIP File" ... READ MORE

Should the Military Be Called in for Natural Disasters?

The December 31, 2008 issue of Time.com has an interesting article concerning the policy issues involved in using the military in response to disasters in the U.S.

Currently plans are by 2011 the Department of Defense plans will have 20,000 uniformed troops expressly trained to assist in national disaster rapid response at a moment's notice. These are regular military "combat units" not state National Guard units. READ MORE

OPINION - Why is this of interest to the HAZUS user community

As the military gets more integrated into the disaster management community they will become a big HAZUS-MH user. The military and the related Intelligence Community can also be providers of "tactical" remote sensing data that can be used in HAZUS driven response and recovery activities. For example, the implementation of the DHS National Applications Office continues to be stalled because of Congressional concerns over privacy and civil liberties. As the principal interface between the Intelligence Community and the Civil Applications communities, the DHS National Applications Office is intended to provide more robust access to needed remote sensing information.

Natural disasters 'killed over 220,000' in 2008

The annual assessment by Germany-based Munich Re reports that over 220,000 lost there lives as a result of natural disasters during 2008.

Munich Re Press Release
The Ten Largest Disasters in 2008
World Map - Disasters in 2008

2009 HAZUS-MH Classes at FEMA's Emergency Management Training Institute

2009 HAZUS-MH EMI Course Schedule

Applications are now being accepted - MORE INFO

E170 HAZUS-MH for Hurricanes / Feb 2-5, 2009
E172 HAZUS.MH for Flood / Jan 12-15, 2009 / Jul 27-30, 2009
E174 HAZUS-MH for Earthquake / Apr 27-30, 2009
E179 Application of HAZUS-MH for Disaster Operations / Apr 20-23, 2009
E190 Introduction to ArchGIS / FEB 23-23, 2009
E296 HAZUS-MH / DMA 2000 Risk Management / Jul 13-16, 2009
E313 Basic HAZUS-MH / Apr 6-9, 2009 / Jul 13-16, 2009
E317 Comprehensive Data Management / Mar 16-19, 2009 / Sep 14-17, 2009

Missouri Releases Earthquake Task Force Findings - Recommends Proficiency with HAZUS

The Missouri Earthquake Insurance Task Force has released the findings of a task force report which studied the potential effects of an earthquake in the state of Missouri. READ MORE

The key task force conclusions are:(1) The earthquake threat is real, as documented through historical evidence and on-going research. (2) The earthquake threat to Missouri is significant. (3) Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration (DIFP) should acquire proficiency with FEMA's HAZUS computer model,. (4) DIFP’s collection of earthquake insurance data should be improved in a few key areas.

To download the report, CLICK HERE