**Session 12**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Course Title: HAZARD MAPPING AND MODELING**

**Session 12: Supporting Emergency Recovery Operations (Debris**

**Management) Using GIS**

**Prepared by: Ute J. Dymon, Professor of Geography, Kent State
University**

**Nancy L. Winter PhD**

**Time: 3 hrs**

**\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_**

**Overall Goal: This course is to contribute to the reduction of the
growing toll of disasters (deaths and injuries, property loss,
environmental degradation, etc.) in the United States by providing an
understanding of the significant role of mapping and modeling in the
management of hazards.**

**Session Goal: Students in this session will understand how mapping and
modeling are used in emergency recovery operations.**

**Objectives:**

1.  **Explain the key definitions encompassed in this session.**

**12.2 Depict the general problems faced in removal and disposal of
disaster**

**debris.**

**12.3 Describe a brief history of GIS at FEMA and illustrate how the
present**

**emergency response plan of the Federal Emergency Management Agency**

**(FEMA) employs GIS in response and recovery stages of a disaster**

**12.4 Delineate the statutory setting in which the Federal Emergency**

> **Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
> (USACE) cooperate in the use of GIS in the management of debris after
> major disasters.**

**12.5 Compare the degree of sophistication in the application of GIS
and advanced information technology, known as geospatial technology, in
the debris removal after the intentional attack on New York City on
9/11/02 and in the collection of *Columbia* debris with the technology
applied in response to managing the debris after Hurricane Andrew.**

**12.6 Outline the lessons that were learned from managing debris after
Hurricane Andrew, from managing the World Trade Center cleanup, and from
retrieval of the Columbia spaceship breakup.**

**Scope:**

An overview of how GIS has become an invaluable technological tool in
emergency response and recovery compares the debris management problems
in three case studies: Hurricane Andrew, the attack on the World Trade
Center, and the retrieval of the Columbia space craft debris. In
supporting emergency response and recovery efforts, GIS provided
critical mapping for problem solving and decision making in all these
cases. Compare the state-of-the-art in debris management in the natural
disaster, Hurricane Andrew, with the intentional terrorist disaster in
New York City on September 11, 2002 and the breakup of the Columbia,
especially in terms of the geospatial technology applied in each.

**Readings:**

*Required Student Reading:*

Clarke, Keith C. 2003. *Getting Started with Geographic Information
Systems and Environmental Modeling.* Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice
Hall.

Clarke, Keith C. ,Parks, Bradley O. and Michael P. Crane. 2002.
*Geographic Information Systems and Modeling.* Upper Saddle River, N.J.:
Prentice Hall.

*Suggested Student Reading:*

Campbell, James B. 2002. *Introduction to Remote Sensing*. Boca Raton,
FL: CRC Press (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, VA),

Langewiesche, William. 2002. *American Ground: Unbuilding the World
Trade Center.*

New York: North Point Press.

Thomas, D.S.K., Cutter, S. L., Hodgson, M., Gutekunst, M., and Jones, S.
2001. Use of Spatial Data and Geographic Technologies in Response to the
September 11 Terrorist Attack. NSF Report.

*Instructor Reading:*

Federal Emergency Management Agency. April 1999. Federal Response Plan.

Rubin, C.B. and Randa-Tanali, I. May 2002. Federal Emergency Management
In the U.S.: Implications of the Terrorist Attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Proceedings of the 9^th^ Annual International Emergency Management
Conference May 14-17, 2002, University of Waterloo, Waterloo (Toronto),
Canada.

United States Army Corps of Engineers. March 2002. Geospatial Modeling
and Visualization Support to USACE Emergency Response Operations. Draft
Report prepared by Emergency Management Research and Development
Advisory Group, USACE. 13 pp.

**General Requirements:**

Power point slides are provided for the instructor's use, if so desired.

It is recommended that students with little or no knowledge of hazards
acquire a general overview of the most common *natural, technological*
and *intentional* hazards. In addition, the FEMA publication
"Multihazard Identification and Risk Assessment Report" provides
detailed explanations for many of the hazards herein. For a glossary of
48 applicable acronyms, see page 3 of "Assessment of Geospatial
Technology Applications by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World
Trade Center Operations" from the George Washington University Institute
for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management at --
[http://www](http://www/)[.seas.gwu,edu/\~icdm/USACE911.htm]{.underline}

Establish key definitions. Review the use of GIS in debris management in
the recovery phase of major U.S. disasters. Identify the
out-of-the-ordinary disasters in the past few years that have required
extreme care in handling of debris after the event because of the way it
was infused with human remains. Delineate the key decisions to be made
in organizing debris management efforts and how GIS can be brought to
bear on these problems.

**OBJECTIVE 12.1 Explain the key definitions encompassed in this
session.**

**Remarks:**

I.  For those not very familiar with how a Geographic Information System
    (GIS) operates, ask the class questions which will provide a quick
    review of the basic concepts of a GIS.

    A.  What's the most basic definition of a GIS? (It's a software
        program.)

    B.  What is its chief data characteristic? (It layers data that
        represent

> different topics of information about the environment into a
>
> database that can be manipulated for analysis.)
>
> ***(Power Point slide #1)***
>
> ![](media/image1.png){width="3.5833333333333335in"
> height="3.2715277777777776in"}
>
> **Layers of environmental information stored as data in a GIS**

C. How does the Map Analysis Center (MAC) of FEMA define a GIS?

> "GIS is a database system with software that can analyze and display
> data using digitized maps and tables for planning and decision making.
> A GIS can assemble, store, manipulate, and display geographically
> referenced data, tying the data to points, lines and areas on a map or
> in a table. Any location with a known latitude and longitude or other
> geographic grid system can be a part of a GIS." **(See -
> <http://www.gismaps.fema.gov/gis01.shtm>), *(Power Point slide #2*)**

D. What advantages does a GIS offer in emergency management

> efforts?
>
> (A GIS can be used to support decisions that require knowledge
>
> about the geographic distribution of people, hospitals, schools, fire
> stations, roads, weather events, the impact of hazards/disasters, etc.
> In addition to its ability to manage and display data, GIS has robust
> modeling capabilities, allowing its users to adjust data and scenarios
> for prediction, planning and estimation. The current trend in GIS is
> focused on web-based mapping. This capability can allow users to view
> an already created map or to create maps, based on their own
> specifications, on their personal computers. Web-based mapping is
> expected to widely expand the use of GIS in the workplace, in schools,
> and in homes.) ***Power Point slide #3)***
>
> E. The services now performed by a GIS are deemed to be so essential
> that a GIS is considered to be **"the workhorse of disaster
> management". *(Power Point slide #4)***

II. The terms "debris" and "debris management" have some specific
    definitions in emergency management.

    A.  An acceptable synonym for debris is the term **wreckage*. (Power
        Point slide* *#5*)** Some jurisdictions include planning for
        emergency debris removal as part of their "waste" programs. See
        **California's Integrated Waste** **Management Disaster Plan
        --**
        [http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Disaster/DisasterPlan.htm]{.underline}

    B.  The waste management approach is based on the six options for
        the handling of debris. They include:

        1.  reduction

        2.  reuse

        3.  reclamation

        4.  resources recovery

        5.  incineration

        6.  landfilling ***(Power Point slide \# 6)***

    C.  Natural and human-caused disasters precipitate a variety of
        debris that includes, but is not limited to, such things as
        trees, sand, gravel, building/construction materials, vehicles,
        personal property, etc. The quantity and type of debris
        generated from any particular disaster is a function of the
        location and kind of event experienced, as well as its
        magnitude, duration, and intensity***. (Power Point slide #7)***

    D.  The **quantity and type of debris generated, its location**, and
        **the size of** **the area over which it is dispersed** directly
        impact:

1\. the type of collection and disposal methods used,

2\. associated costs incurred, and

3\. the speed with which the problem can be addressed.

***(Power Point slide #8)***

E.  Mainly from its experiences with Hurricane Andrew debris management,
    the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has developed a "Sample
    Debris Management Plan -- 04" which is a generic
    "fill-in-the-blanks" plan for any community to implement. ***(Power
    Point slide#9)***

F.  One of the most common manifestations of debris occurs after a storm
    event. Timely cleanup of such debris prevents illegal dumping and
    health hazards. Storm debris are usually handled at the curbside
    street level and are separated into the following categories:

    1.  Household garbage -- perishable items, such as food and normal
        household waste should have priority removal

service but it may be interrupted due to road

2.  Yard debris -- contained in a bag, box, can or tied and moved to the
    road right-of-way

3.  Construction debris bulk items -- damaged large furniture and
    materials related to building construction

4.  Household hazardous materials -- with specific disposal requirements
    http//www.hgac.com/HGAC/Programs/Disaster+Preparedness/Solid+Waste+Storm+Debris

***(Power Point slide #10)***

G.  The EPA has published a Guide for local governments about debris
    removal. City, county and state governments are not authorized to

> remove debris from private property except where extraordinary
>
> threats to human health and safety may exist. This policy protects
>
> the liability of both the workers clearing debris and the property
>
> owner. ***(Power Point slide #11)***

III. A major stumbling block in the establishment of a debris management
     program for a local government is the identification of a temporary
     storage site. This becomes an economic matter.

     A.  A local jurisdiction with the ability to stockpile or store
         disaster debris until a later time when processing and
         potential marketing of the materials can take place will be
         able to avoid sending the debris to a landfill with no
         possibility for recycling the materials. ***(Power Point slide
         #12)***

     B.  On the other hand, FEMA will only pay for the movement of
         debris once. Costs may increase significantly if a temporary
         site is used as an intermediate step between clearing the
         streets and processing/recycling the materials. Local
         jurisdictions need to communicate their plans to FEMA to
         receive prior authorization before establishing a temporary
         site. Money can be saved if materials go directly to a
         recycler/processor saving transportation and labor costs.
         ***(Power Point slide #13)***

     C.  At least nine basic steps are entailed in **establishing** a
         temporary storage site, and a GIS would be of value in each.
         The California Integrated Waste Management and Disaster Plan
         cites the ollowing steps:

1\. Determine the need for temporary sites.

2\. Develop criteria to evaluate potential sites.

3\. Identify temporary storage sites.

4\. Review Emergency Waiver of Standard Regulations.

5\. Identify permits or variances required to site a temporary storage
site.

6\. Perform environmental review of proposed site.

7\. Develop a Site Development and Operation Plan.

8\. Prepare Inspection and Site Management Guidelines.

9\. Prepare a Site Restoration Plan in order to close it.

<http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Disaster/DisasterPlan/chp4.htm>

***(Power Point slide #14)***

D.  The wreckage or remains after some emergencies is able to be handled
    by local or state governments; however, large scale disasters may
    require a GIS to be established exclusively for resolving the
    problems associated with debris management.

***(Power Point slide #15)***

**OBJECTIVE 12.2 Depict the general problems faced in removal and
disposal of**

**disaster debris.**

**Remarks:**

I.  Two major problems to be addressed when a disaster produces
    significant quantities of debris in an area are:

    A.  How much and what types of debris are to be removed?

    B.  Where can the debris be disposed of? ***(Power Point slide
        #16)***

II. Estimation of the amount of debris to be removed usually requires
    modeling with the disaster data being supplied to a GIS estimation
    model.

    A.  Various methods are employed to attempt to estimate the amount
        of debris to be moved. ***(Power Point slide #17)***

    B.  The FEMA Mapping and Analysis Center (MAC) is in the process of
        developing and implementing an integrated state-of-the-art
        enterprise GIS (E-GIS) for the whole Agency. For hurricane
        preparedness planning, an E-GIS Team can use a hurricane wind
        model to develop estimates for projected damages in affected
        states or areas. When these model projections are mapped, they
        reveal estimated wind damage to mobile homes, single family
        homes, and multi-family homes along the track of the storm. For
        earthquake preparedness planning, the E-GIS Team can run an
        earthquake model to estimate damages in an affected area.

***(Power Point slide #18)***

C.  The E-GIS staff are continually working with the Federal Insurance
    and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) to upgrade and expand FEMA's
    use of models in disasters. Immediately after a disaster event, FEMA
    managers and staff use GIS to visualize actual damages by analyzing
    collected aerial reconnaissance and ground truth data. Using GIS,
    personnel from the Disaster Field Office (DFO) and the Emergency
    Support Team (EST) can see the spatial extent of the damage.
    ***(Power Point slide #19)***

D.  Data from aerial photographs, lidar technology and other imaging
    methods are combined with ground-based estimations based on the
    number of households in an area, etc. to help in estimating the
    amount of debris generated by the disaster.

E.  The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) also has a debris estimating
    model that can be viewed at the following website --
    [http://www.oem,sd.gov/publications/pa/dmgappa.pdf#search=GIS%]()
    [2OUSACE%20debris%20management']{.underline}

To forecast the amounts of debris generated by a hurricane, the US Army
Corps of Engineers (USACE) has developed a model which incorporates
actual data from Hurricanes Frederic, Hugo and Andrew and has an
accuracy of plus or minus 30%. The primary factor in this model is the
number of households in a developed urban/suburban area. Other factors
utilized in the model's calculations are:

-   Cubic yards of debris generated per household category per storm

-   Vegetative cover

-   Commercial density

-   Precipitation ***(Power Point slide #20)***

> The actual formula for estimating debris quantity is: Q=H (C) (V) (B)
> (S)
>
> H (Households)=Population/3 (3 persons per household)
>
> C (Category of storm) ( Hurricanes are rated 1 through 5)
>
> V (Vegetation Multiplier ) (light, medium, heavy)
>
> B (Commercial Density Multiplier) (light, medium, heavy)
>
> S (Precipitation Multiplier) (none to light, medium to heavy)
> ***(Power Point slide #21)***
>
> F. In the private sector, Dewberry has developed a comprehensive
> Disaster Debris Management Plan for the Solid Waste Authority of Palm
> Beach County, FL. An innovative feature of the project is the
> development of an interactive Geographic Information System (GIS)
> Debris Prediction Model that instantly calculates gross quantities of
> debris for any given area.
>
> G. Four years after Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Fran hit North
> Carolina. A comparison of the debris removal costs illustrates the
> factors which drive the costs per square yard of debris removal.
> Hurricane Andrew left behind a mixed debris which created greater
> density and was loaded primarily with track-mounted grapple backhoes
> onto 30-40 cubic yard trailers. Hurricane Fran debris was entirely
> wooded vegetation **that had to** **be cut up with chainsaws prior to
> loading**. Rubber-tired loaders that had to articulate to load had to
> be used, and due to the street restrictions smaller trucks would be
> required.
>
> In comparison, in Miami, the mixed debris density generated more
> tonnage per linear foot of roadway. Fran debris had a lot less density
> per foot of roadway. This meant that one would have to travel a
> greater distance to get the same volume, thus moving the loading
> equipment more often (lessons learned cleaning up John's Island after
> Hurricane Hugo). Hurricane Andrew's debris was about \$7.98 per cubic
> yard to remove its 20 million cubic yards of debris. Fran's debris
> costs were much higher.

III. Finding an available facility or an area of land suitable for
     permanent storage of disaster debris is often an enormous problem.

     A.  A GIS is invaluable for searching available tax and real estate
         records to find open land available for lease or purchase and
         the names and addresses of land owners. GIS can also help in
         the search for established facilities that will accept debris
         or for temporary storage, the location of publicly owned
         places.

     B.  Often, the option of opening a closed landfill must be
         considered.

> ***(Power Point slide \# 22)***

**OBJECTIVE 12.3 Describe a brief history of GIS at FEMA and iIllustrate
how the**

**present emergency response plan of the Federal Emergency**

**Management Agency (FEMA) employs GIS in response and**

**recovery stages of a disaster.**

**Remarks:**

I.  Response and recovery efforts based on the use of GIS after
    Hurricane Andrew in 1992 marked a sea change in the application of
    GIS and geospatial technology at FEMA. It also was the first
    disaster that required close collaboration among all levels of
    government. It did not occur during the response stage of Andrew,
    but it caused Federal agencies to reconsider their positions.

    A.  In its track across south Florida in 1992, Hurricane Andrew
        leveled nearly every natural and human-made feature of the
        environment in Dade County, Florida. FEMA lacked information
        needed to coordinate logistics, transportation, demographic data
        and communication and to make emergency response decisions
        required to direct disaster relief operations. Cooperating with
        the State of Florida, FEMA relied upon the GIS of the South
        Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) in West Palm Beach,
        Florida, which was already preventing the overwhelmed area from
        being flooded by the follow-on rainfall. ***(Power Point slide
        #23)***

    B.  The full potential of GIS applications was realized when FEMA
        allowed a private computer firm, Digital Matrix Services, of
        south Florida to move its equipment into the DFO in Miami to
        provide free GIS mapping in support of the response and recovery
        from the record-making Andrew storm. "Perhaps the most important
        lesson learned during Hurricane Andrew is that the GIS must
        survive a disaster to help out during the aftermath."[^1]
        ***(Power Point slide #24)***

    C.  This post-disaster GIS mapping was continued on when a small
        staff of GIS technicians used equipment that was returned from
        the Florida DFO to support the FEMA's Emergency Support Team
        (EST) with other disaster maps. By 1993, FEMA first used
        real-time flood extent information on GIS maps during the
        Midwest floods. In 1994, FEMA employed GIS during the California
        earthquakes. ***(Power Point slide #25)***

II. The role of the FEMA Mapping and Analysis Center (MAC) has expanded
    over the past decade to make Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    FEMA's paramount tool in disaster response and recovery.

    A.  Under the emergency response plan of FEMA, the MAC's
        dissemination of geographic information to the EST/ESF#5 (known
        as Information and Planning) and the rest of the Agency during
        disaster operations is its primary mission. For this purpose.
        Mac maintains an extensive array of data sets. ***(Power Point
        slide #26)***

    B.  In addition to managing a state-of-the-art GIS laboratory, the
        GIS staff is engaged in GIS map production and analysis for
        program offices throughout the Agency, including the:

-   Emergency Support Team (EST)

-   Readiness, Response and Recovery Directorate

-   Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA)

-   Administration and Resource Planning Directorate

-   Disaster Field Offices

-   Office of National Preparedness and Homeland Security

***(Power Point slide #27)***

A.  For emergency managers, a GIS can facilitate critical decision
    making before a disaster impacts an area. In the early, crucial
    stages of a disaster or emergency and throughout the disaster
    process, managers use GIS products because they provide important
    information quickly and in easy to understand formats.

D. For emergency events, deployable GIS suites have been developed, and
on-call GIS contract support to provide on-site GIS field support to
DFOs has been arranged. More GIS improvements are on the horizon as the
Enterprise GIS (E-GIS) implementation plan is underway with the goal of
integrating and enhancing GIS within all of FEMA. ***(Power Point slide
#28)***

**OBJECTIVE 12.4 Delineate the statutory setting in which the Federal
Emergency**

**Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army Corps of**

**Engineers (USACE) cooperate in the use of GIS in the management of
debris after major disasters.**

**Remarks:**

I.  Emergency management of past disasters, including the World Trade
    Center Disaster, was set in the framework of the Federal Response
    Plan. Since the intentional attack on 9/11/2001, FEMA and many other
    federal agencies have come under the Homeland Security umbrella;
    their work now is governed by the statute called the National
    Response Plan.

> A. Four concepts comprise the National Response Plan:
>
> 1\. Prevention
>
> 2\. Preparedness
>
> 3\. Response
>
> 4\. Recovery
>
> <http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0570.xml>
>
> ***(Power Point slide #29)***

B.  **Prevention** means that the National Response Plan may be
    implemented for threats or potential **Incidents of National
    Significance** to prevent or intervene to lessen the impact of an
    incident. ***(Power Point slide #30)***

> C. **Preparedness** is a continuous process involving efforts to
> identify threats, determine vulnerabilities, and identify required
> resources. The National Response Plan provides the basis for Federal
> department and agency compliance with Homeland Security Presidential
> Directive-8, National Preparedness. ***(Power Point slide #31)***
>
> D. **Response** -The National Response Plan provides the policies and
> processes for coordinating Federal support activities that address the
> short-term, direct effects of an incident. These activities include
> immediate actions to preserve life, property and the environment; meet
> basic human needs; and maintain the social, economic and political
> structure of the affected community. ***(Power Point slide #32)***
>
> E. **Recovery** involves actions needed to help individuals and
> communities return to normal, when feasible. Recovery actions include
> the development, coordination, and execution of service- and
> site-restoration plans and the reconstitution of government operations
> and services through individual, private-sector, nongovernmental, and
> public assistance programs. ***(Power Point slide #33)***

II. Ever since the Stafford Act was passed in 1988, the USACE has
    mobilized to serve as the lead for FEMA's Emergency Support Function
    (ESF) #3 supplying **public works and engineering** support for
    lifesaving, life-protection and recovery after a major disaster
    under the Federal Response Plan. ***(Power Point slide #34)***

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
A.  After the 1998 hurricane season, the USACE made major changes in the
    way it responds to disasters.

-   Lead districts were assigned to coordinate major missions such as
    water, ice, emergency power, debris, temporary moving, and housing.

-   Other areas are covered by contracts **made in advance.**

-   Pre-scripted assignment statements giving FEMA authorization to
    another federal agency to respond to a disaster were arranged so
    they can be given to the USACE by a community for work to begin
    immediately. ***(Power Point slide #35)***

B.  The USACE and FEMA set up a formal mechanism to build a better
    relationship that provides a framework for disaster response.
    Through joint meetings and exercises, territorial workshops, and
    command work seminars and along with development of remedial action
    plans to address the most critical problems and issues, both
    agencies review the remedial action plans quarterly to assure that
    implementation and corrective action are underway. ***(Power Point
    slide #36)***

C. FEMA has developed one-day debris workshops for state personnel and a
three day course for FEMA personnel in debris operations. Both courses
cover debris funding reimbursement eligibility, operations, contracting,
contract monitoring, estimating, and debris reduction techniques.

A.  FEMA has also implemented a new staff structure to focus on the
    debris related issues during disaster recovery operations. When
    necessary, FEMA will use a deputy public assistance office for
    debris management. This office will have debris management
    specialists to provide technical assistance to state and local
    officials as issues arise during recovery efforts. **(Power Point
    slide #37)**

B.  The deputy public assistance office for debris will assist the state
    in developing an overall debris operations plan for the disaster and
    for overseeing the debris specialists. The debris specialists will
    offer technical assistance to local officials in the form of
    guidance on funding eligibility, contracting, and monitoring.

**OBJECTIVE 12.5 Compare the degree of sophistication in the application
of GIS and advanced information technology, known as geospatial
technology, in the debris removal after the intentional attack on**

**New York City on 9/11/02 and in the collection of *Columbia* debris
with the technology applied in response to managing the debris after
Hurricane Andrew.**

**Remarks:**

I.  The Federal Response Plan (FRP) in force when Hurricane Andrew
    devastated

South Florida in 1992 contained no provisions for FEMA to employ
information technology, such as GIS, in handling this mega-disaster.
Geographic

Information had not been perceived as an important ingredient in
disaster management.

A.  The utter magnitude of Hurricane Andrew's effects forced emergency
    personnel and volunteers into a creative "scramble" in their efforts
    to provide relief. Dade County was an unfamiliar tangle of wreckage
    with all landmarks, street markers and even commercial signs
    vanished along with electricity, telephones (cell phones were not
    ubiquitous yet), medical services, safe water, food, transportation
    and shelter. ***(Power Point slides 38-39)***

B.  Through astonishing and enormous effort three ad hoc GIS were
    implemented at the federal level to coordinate response to Hurricane
    Andrew and to solve ever-growing problems.

C.  The South Atlantic Division of the USACE carried the burden of more
    than a dozen missions plus the daunting problem of debris removal.
    The list developed as follows:

    1.  Roofing (plastic sheeting)

    2.  Debris

    3.  Generators and Pumps

    4.  Portable Water Supplies

    5.  Public Assistance

    6.  Technical Assistance

    7.  Portable Toilets

    8.  Ice

    9.  Damage Surveys

    10. Schools

    11. Garbage

    12. Showers

    13. Hurricane Evacuation (Planning in the event of a second one)

    14. Temporary Housing

> ***(Power Point slide #40)***
>
> Mapping was required to perform each of these missions, and decisions
> in accomplishing them rested on tracking huge amounts of information
> about sources and amounts of available materials for completing the
> tasks to be done. ***(Power Point slide #41)***

D.  With the technical expertise existing at four other USACE sites, the
    South

> Atlantic Division of the USACE was granted funds to purchase
> approximately \$350,000 worth of additional equipment to enhance its
> GIS thus bringing about a more robust GIS with which to address its
> debris task.

E.  Trimble Navigation Company improved the available equipment for
    debris management by donating to FEMA 15 GPS units capable of x, y
    accuracy to within two meters and z accuracy to within 10 meters
    plus a portable system that had been used in the Oakland, CA
    wildfires for rapid collection of both descriptive and positional
    information concerning damaged structures. USACE was assigned to
    apply these donations to the debris removal mission.

F. **In the main, periodic aerial photos when the weather permitted gave
the** **USACE the best remotely sensed images available**. Even though
site specific damages were not able to be deduced accurately from them,
the aerial photos coupled with street sampling, damage surveys, and
Census data on housing units and types of units served adequately for
calculating quantities of debris.

G. Land was bought by the government on which to dump materials, mostly
vegetative. Some of the debris volume was reduced by chipping; some was
burned. Most of it went into as many as 101 landfills; the largest is
known to locals today as Mount Trashmore**. (*Power Point slide #42) ***

H.  In all, eight different GIS operations were launched on site for
    Hurricane Andrew disaster management establishing the critical need
    for this information technology at FEMA. Aerial photos played a more
    marginal role as an advanced information technology.

II\. During the response to the attack on the World Trade Center (WTC),
New York City maintained jurisdiction over the debris with the USACE
providing technical assistance for the debris removal operations and the
management of the landfill operations.

A.  Unlike the spread of Hurricane Andrew disaster debris across the
    whole of

> South Florida and the narrow line of the space shuttle *Columbia*
> remains across Texas*,* the smoldering mound of the World Trade
> Center's collapsed buildings was constricted into a relatively tiny
> urban area of bout 16 acres. ***(Power Point slide #43)***
>
> B. Other factors made the World Trade Center debris situation unlike
> many familiar widespread disasters such as earthquakes and flooding,
> etc.
>
> 1\. Compared to the typical USACE response operations, it was a small
> scale disaster; yet, it was the largest search and rescue and debris
> removal mission in U.S. history. (As of May 21, 2002, 1,625,550 tons
> of debris had been removed from the WTC site.)
>
> 2\. USACE only played a support role and was not the lead agency; New
> York officials took charge along with New York firefighters and
> police. It was not dynamic, no aftershocks nor flooding. After three
> buildings collapsed, nothing changed except the dwindling size of the
> debris pile.
>
> 3\. Bodies were torn as under resulting in human remains being infused
> throughout the debris.
>
> 4\. The constricted site meant huge cranes had to daisy chain the
> debris pieces during the initial removal.
>
> ***(Power Point slide #44, 45, 46)***
>
> C. Decision makers seeking permanent storage for the WTC debris
> proposed dumping it into the Atlantic Ocean, but the Environmental
> Protection Agency did not approve of this idea. The Staten Island
> Landfill over 20 miles away was reopened. When the early loads of
> debris arrived, the infrastructure of the landfill, drainage pipes,
> etc., began to be destroyed by the weight of the heavy façade steel of
> the collapsed buildings. The steel was removed to New Jersey to be
> recycled.
>
> D. The debris situation at the WTC site, called simply "the pile" by
> those
>
> working on it, was characterized by three unique conditions
>
> 1\. Infused by human-remains, every bit of debris had to go through a
> four step process. It had to be:
>
> a\. extracted
>
> b\. inspected for human body parts
>
> c\. hauled to Staten Island
>
> d\. spread out and inspected for human remains again.
>
> ***(Power Point slide #47)***
>
> 2\. Smoldering fires and hot spots created grave danger to workers.
>
> 3\. In the subterranean "Bathtub" basement of the site, slurry walls
> that kept back Hudson River water from flooding the entire site and
> the New York Subway system could cause a second disaster of flooding
> if the walls were breached by the vibrations from demolition and
> debris removal efforts. One of the walls developed an ominous crack.
>
> The latter two listed characteristics spawned an increasing need for
> creative mapping and modeling.
>
> E. To track daily the amount of debris being removed from the pile,
> over flights of the WTC collected airborne LIDAR data which was used
> to map the pile's surface elevations each day. Even though the
> resulting light detection and ranging (LIDAR)-based three-dimensional
> analysis maps of the debris field at ground zero were limited by the
> inaccuracy of Earth Data's LIDAR data and the long turnaround time,
> these maps helped to guide the debris removal work on a weekly basis.
> ***(Power Point slide #48)***
>
> At the same time, thermal imagery was also collected on the LIDAR
> plane and was used for locating fires within the debris pile, some new
> and some continuous, to identify the risks within it in order to
> protect the response personnel and volunteers working on the pile. Of
> greatest concern was the relative distance of fires to the underground
> storage tanks. Thermal data superimposed on collapse maps targeted the
> location of elevated temperatures. Three crucial layers of information
> were finally superimposed on the same map revealing the nearness of
> fire, the underground collapse patterns and the location of the slurry
> wall.

F.  The greatest uncertainty of all was the condition of the
    subterranean slurry

> wall which was holding back potential flood waters and was not visible
> to those working on the surface. CAD based and three-dimensional maps
> that were produced by outside consultants (such as the company
> Brainstorm that specialized in 3D computer animated solutions,
> Mechanism Digital Effect, and J.A. Construction) were vital for
> pulling debris out from the subterranean levels.

G.  Since debris volume and weight estimates could not be solely based
    on the LIDAR data, GIS modeling of the pile was used.

H.  Other remotely sensed mapping was considered. Digital Orthophoto
    Quarter Quads (DOQQs) generated by USGS and expected to be used as
    base maps during emergency response missions were of marginal use
    because of their relatively high 30 foot margin of error. Satellite
    data had too low of a spatial resolution to be applied at the small
    scale WTC site. Low accuracy and late availability hampered the use
    of thermal data maps. For estimating damage and the amount of
    debris, high resolution photographs with periodic updating could
    have been useful. Basically, the full use and power of geospatial
    technology for the WTC debris operations was not required because of
    the tight, urbanized geographic area heavily peopled with local
    responders.

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
III. Despite the fact that New York City's new multi-million dollar EOC
     was destroyed when the Twin Towers collapsed and facilities for
     disaster management had to be rebuilt from scratch, comparing the
     use of geospatial technology for Hurricane Andrew disaster
     management with their use at the WTC debris site, there was an
     overwhelming advantage to having fully functioning USACE and FEMA
     GIS capabilities in New York City to handle the debris management
     after 9/11. ***(Power Point slide #49)***

**OBJECTIVE 12.6 Outline the lessons that were learned from managing
debris after Hurricane Andrew, from managing the World Trade Center
cleanup, and from retrieval of the Columbia spaceship breakup.**

**Remarks:**

I.  Of the three disaster cases considered here, lessons learned from
    managing debris and response and recovery needs after Hurricane
    Andrew had the most profound effect on the whole of FEMA 's
    operations.

> A. Recognition of the crucial advantages that geographic information
> gives to decision makers spawned the MAC. If an army travels on its
> stomach, successful emergency management travels on information
> technology.

B. Funds were allocated for development of an Agency-wide Enterprise-GIS
which should serve to unify the Agency technologically.

> C. The sea change brought on by Hurricane Andrew was reflected in the
> time and energy now committed to collection of pre-event data and
> appropriate GIS hardware and training.

II. Tremendous complications arise when debris holds human remains as a
    result of explosive forces. After the Columbia breakup, human body
    parts in the Texas debris field could be tracked by GPS use,
    however, this disaster debris site was free and clear and open, the
    WTC debris "pile" required hand inspection and sifting for retrieval
    of human parts.

III. Four specific recommendations for what the USACE should do in
     future

> debris missions include the following:

A.  Based on the disaster-proven fact that the best data exists at the

> local level, USACE should develop close relationships with local
>
> mapping agencies and their operations and should plan to acquire

data to support USACE modeling efforts.

B. USACE should develop a style guide for GIS mapping to cover details
such as map size, map material (waterproof and the ability to mark on
the map), map colors, etc.

C. Hardcopy output should be reduced during emergencies by providing to
personnel portable electronic devices such as handheld PDAs with map
display capabilities.

1\. Since FEMA and the USACE use different GIS software, training in the
FEMA software to support ESF#5 missions should be mandatory for all
USACE personnel who will potentially have to carry out ESF#5 support
operations in disasters.

**Class Activity: Elicit from students opinions about the effectiveness
and content of this session on supporting emergency recovery operations
(debris management) using GIS.**

I. Set the classroom atmosphere for a free exchange of opinions about
Session 12.

II\. Evaluative questions to pose to the class:

> A. What subjects covered in this Session 12 would you have liked to
> have spent more time on?
>
> B. What other improvements can you suggest in the design of this
> Session 12?

**REFERENCES AND WEBSITES:**

Campbell, James B. 2002. *Introduction to Remote Sensing*. Boca Raton,
FL: CRC Press (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,
Blacksburg, VA),

Clarke, Keith C. 2003. *Getting Started with Geographic Information
Systems and Environmental Modeling.* Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice
Hall.

Clarke, Keith C. ,Parks, Bradley O. and Michael P. Crane. 2002.
*Geographic Information Systems and Modeling.* Upper Saddle River, N.J.:
Prentice Hall.

Corbley, Kevin P. 1995. "South Florida Fine-Tunes GIS in Hurricane's
Aftermath", *GIS* *World.* September, pp 40-43.

ESRI. 2002. Managing Chaos. Online article on Fast, Accurate
Information: New York City-Creating a Disaster Management GIS on the
Fly. URL:
http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0102articles/nyc-creating.html

Federal Emergency Management Agency. April 1999. Federal Response Plan.

Federal Geographic Data Committee. 2002. Online article. Homeland
Security and Geographic Information Systems: How GIS and Mapping
Technology Can Save Lives and Protect Property Post September 11^th^
America. URL: http://www.fgdc.gov/publications/homeland.html

Institute for Crisis, Disaster and Risk Management, George Washington
University. 2002. Assessment of Geospatial Technology Applications by
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World Trade Center Operations.
http://www.seas.gwu.edu/\~icdm/USACE911.htm

Langewiesche, William. 2002. *American Ground: Unbuilding the World
Trade Center.*

New York: North Point Press.

Harrald, J. R., Renda-Tanali, I. and Coppola, D. May 2002. Observing and
Documenting the Inter-Organizational Response to September 11 Attack on
Pentagon, *Proceedings of the 9^th^ Annual International Emergency
Management Conference May 14-17, 2002.*

University of Waterloo, Waterloo (Toronto), Canada.

Thomas, D.S.K., Cutter, S. L., Hodgson, M., Gutekunst, M., and Jones, S.
2001. Use of Spatial Data and Geographic Technologies in Response to the
September 11 Terrorist Attack. NSF Report.

Rubin, C.B. and Randa-Tanali, I. May 2002. Federal Emergency Management
In the U.S.: Implications of the Terrorist Attacks of Sept. 11, 2001*.
Proceedings of the 9^th^* *Annual International Emergency Management
Conference May 14-17, 2002.* University of Waterloo, Waterloo (Toronto),
Canada.

United States Army Corps of Engineers. March 2002. Geospatial Modeling
and Visualization Support to USACE Emergency Response Operations. Draft
Report prepared by Emergency Management Research and Development
Advisory Group, USACE. 13 pp.

United States Army Corps of Engineers. November 9, 2001. North Atlantic
Division After-Action Review. Draft Report for Review only. 10 pp.

United States Army Corps of Engineers. November 7, 2001. USACE First
Impressions Report: September 11, 2001 World Trade Center and Pentagon
Terrorist Attacks. Final Report. 20 pp.

Winter, Nancy L. 1997. *Managing a Mega-Disaster: GIS Applications,
Decision Making and Spatial Data Flow Between Local State and Federal
Levels in Hurricane Andrew Disaster Response*. Worcester, MA: Clark
University (unpublished dissertation)

[^1]: Corbley, Kevin P. 1995. "South Florida Fine-Tunes GIS in
    Hurricane's Aftermath", *GIS World.*

    September, pp 40-43.