Damage Assessment Mapping Module

The Damage Assessment Mapping Module (DAMM Tool)

The Damage Assessment Mapping Module (DAMM) for Portland NET provides volunteer responders with a tool to document and map impacts of a disaster, and electronically transmit that information to the Portland Emergency Coordination Center (ECC). It is, essentially, an electronic version of NET Form 1 for damage assessment. ECC personnel can immediately use information sent to them from DAMM to allocate resources for response and recovery. Volunteers can document assessments with the DAMM even in the absence of internet service, though internet service is required to transmit the reports completed by a user.

Every NET volunteer and ATV with a smartphone should download the software onto their device and know how to use it in the field.

Program Overview

The Damage Assessment Mapping Module (DAMM) is one of the most important communication tools available to NET volunteers. The tool promotes accuracy, consistency, and efficiency in collecting post-disaster data for use in high-level decision making.

Figure 1: The DAMM dashboard used by ECC personnel.

Observations inputted to the DAMM via the Survey123 app are relayed to an Operational Dashboard displayed to emergency response planners in Portland’s Emergency Coordination Center (ECC). In turn, ECC personnel will use the data to assemble a highly detailed situational awareness picture and allocate response resources accordingly and (where possible) expeditiously. Data inputted to the DAMM will also be critical for applying for federal relief aid and other resources in the aftermath of a major disaster.