Florida HUG Sets Aggressive Agenda
Since its formation in June, 2006, the Florida HAZUS User Group (FLHUG) has become the catalyst for HAZUS-MH outreach, planning, data development, and training in the state of Florida.
Active members of the FLHUG are drawn from state and local governments, research and academia, and the private sector. From the outset, FEMA’s Region IV has taken a leadership role in promoting the FLHUG, including the identification of potential resources to support the implementation of priority projects and activities. This article highlights the approach of the FLHUG in promoting the use of HAZUS-MH across the state, the group’s priorities, and the steering committee structure that has emerged to organize and manage FLHUG projects and activities.
FLHUG Organizational Structure
At the September 18, 2006 meeting in Sarasota, Florida, a FLHUG charter was presented to the membership for review and approval. At least two issues were addressed: 1) formation of steering committees to address different aspects of using HAZUS-MH in Florida; and 2) formation of HUG regions within the state of Florida to facilitate a local or regional approach to HAZUS-MH planning, training and outreach.
Three steering committees have been formed: Data Management, Training, and Outreach.
Data Management
Data management is a priority of the FLHUG. Members regard the FLHUG as an important vehicle for coordinating the development and implementation of a multi-year plan to significantly enhance the HAZUS-MH inventory, using the Building Inventory Tool (BIT) and other tools. More specifically, the FLHUG can take the following actions:
- Establish a Data Management Steering Committee that can take the lead in setting FLHUG data management priorities.
- Identify potential resources that can be used to support HAZUS-MH data management.
- Increase awareness among key organizations and institutions in Florida of the power of HAZUS-MH, and their role in supporting data collection and data management.
- Identify requirements for training and technical assistance in a long-term strategy to systematically update and enhance local HAZUS-MH inventories.
- Serve as a liaison to the Florida Division of Emergency Management and other key agencies with a role (and vested interest) in HAZUS-MH data management.
- Identify existing data management tools in Florida that can serve as a model for the FLHUG.
- Identify opportunities for collaboration in Florida in updating the HAZUS-MH inventory, particularly in the most rapidly growing communities.
Data management will continue to be a focal point and priority for the FLHUG.
HAZUS-MH Training
New HAZUS-MH courses continue to be developed that can be adapted to a range of target audiences in Florida (from executives and decision-makers to GIS professionals). The FLHUG has formed a HAZUS-MH Training Subcommittee to coordinate training in the state, including the following:
- Assess and document the training needs of all potential HAZUS users, distinguishing between two groups:
- HAZUS-MH users (e.g., GIS and other technical users), and
- users of HAZUS-MH analyses (emergency management directors, building and growth management officials, others agency personnel).
- Identify potential training venues, including community colleges and universities.
- Identify specific courses that can be tailored to select audiences (in terms of technical content and course duration).
HAZUS-MH Vendor Program
HAZUS-MH training in the state of Florida can take advantage of an important technical resource: HAZUS-MH vendors. Since 2003, FEMA has identified, trained and authorized 43 HAZUS-MH vendors -- GIS professionals who have a strong GIS background and are authorized to provide HAZUS-MH training and technical assistance under FEMA’s Private Sector Initiative.
Florida has six HAZUS-MH vendors who can become the nucleus of a HAZUS-MH training cadre in Florida under the auspices of the FLHUG. These vendors can take the lead in a HAZUS-MH training program in Florida that covers the flood and hurricane model; incorporates existing course materials into a curriculum that is tailored to Florida’s needs; and can be delivered at venues across the state.
FLHUG Outreach
There is substantial interest in Florida in the use of HAZUS-MH. To build on this interest, the FLHUG has identified several initiatives to expand membership and identify potential partners across the state. Among the issues discussed:
- A FLHUG website should be launched that includes a list-serve/discussion board, in addition to other features that can support the statewide HUG.
- Affiliation with key organizations (public, private, academic, nonprofit) in Florida that share an interest in GIS, HAZUS-MH and the use of analyses to support planning and mitigation.
- Identification and dissemination of Best Practices in the use of HAZUS-MH to demonstrate its value in Florida, the range of potential applications, and identification of groups across the state that can contribute to the FLHUG.
To promote HAZUS-MH outreach, the FLHUG sponsored a one-day workshop for GIS and emergency management professionals in West Palm Beach, Florida that involved FEMA, Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida Atlantic University. The workshop served as a kickoff for the South Florida HAZUS-MH Users Group.
Last Modified: Friday, 12-Oct-2007 15:41:33 EDT
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