When disasters and flu outbreaks strike communities, hospitals; emergency responders; and other city, state, and federal response agencies need to know what resources are available to accommodate a potentially large influx of injured or ill patients. Until now, emergency planners have lacked reliable tools to help them manage their resources for specific disasters or disease outbreaks.

Marcello is a customizable, Web-based tool that integrates oceanic and atmospheric forecasting, plume modeling, and real-time information updates that can help decision-makers and emergency responders prepare for, respond to, and recover from events. The tool overlays multiple datasets, model outputs, and information sources in a single, user-friendly interface.

Researchers from the Center for Visual and Data Analytics (CVADA), a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Center of Excellence, have worked with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to develop the Coastal Operations Analysis Suite of Tools (COAST) that meets a broad set of USCG mission requirements. This suite of tools includes visualization, simulation, math modeling, and optimization techniques.

In an emergency, it is vital that first responders are able to communicate and share information, regardless of the agency they represent. Yet, interoperability and information integration remain a challenge when it comes to real-time, multi-agency coordination.

To address this challenge, the Center for Visualization and Data Analytics (CVADA) at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Center of Excellence, developed the Mobile Computing Application Platform (MCAP) in partnership with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.

The ADvanced CIRCulation (ADCIRC) storm surge model combines rain, atmospheric pressure, and wind forecasts to predict when, where, and to what extent flooding will inundate a coastal community with greater precision than other available models. This enables decision-makers to identify which locations will become unsafe and plan for mitigation and response before severe storms occur.

The Disaster Recovery Tracking Tool includes 79 metrics that measure how a community is recovering from a disaster. These metrics (e.g., total disaster related business closures, number of organizations involved in recovery, median home value) are organized in four themes and 10 focus areas that are based on FEMA’s recovery support functions and core capabilities in order to link the metrics to the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) guidance. Researchers are also working to test ways in which the metrics can be used to characterize recovery progress, detect problems with recovery, and improve future recovery and resilience. A practitioner checklist will help end users decide which metrics to use and how to begin collecting data.

ZADD develops innovative solutions and fosters collaborations to protect the Nation’s agriculture and public health sectors against high-consequence foreign animal, emerging, and zoonotic disease threats.

The CRC conducts research and education to enhance the resilience of people, infrastructure, economies, and the natural environment from the impacts of coastal hazards such as floods and hurricanes.

ADAC develops and transitions technology solutions, innovative products, and educational programs to improve situational awareness and crisis response capabilities related to emerging maritime challenges posed by the dynamic Arctic environment.

ZADD develops innovative solutions and fosters collaborations to protect the Nation’s agriculture and public health sectors against high-consequence foreign animal, emerging, and zoonotic disease threats.