Greetings Auxiliary Members:  

Thank you for responding to a solicitation to provide virtual online assistance to FEMA following major disasters.

Please review thoroughly the below BACKGROUND information.

If you are still interested in being considered for participation in this project, please complete and submit the survey at the bottom of the background.

Note: All DIRAUX offices are in the process of forwarding the FEMA request for assistance downstream. Some have already moved it out and others have yet to pass it along. That is to be expected. So, we will wait until mid-February before scheduling initial training sessions.  Also, your DIRAUX and Commodore will be contacted to approve individual participation. If you are not current with Auxiliary Core Training that will be disqualifying. 

This intra-agency initiative will roll out in phases.

Questions regarding this project will be directed to Mr. Dan Jacquish, Branch Chief - Special Projects, at daniel.f.jacquish@cgauxnet.us 

Respectfully,

BACKGROUND

FEMA and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will partner to exploit all available imagery to understand disaster impacts rapidly. The resulting data will be available for response and recovery organizations to use in their workflows and processes.

Mission Overview

In the aftermath of large-scale incidents, trained analysts to use the Geospatial Damage Assessment (GDA) application, developed and managed by FEMA’s Response Geospatial Office (RGO), to compare pre-and post-incident aerial imagery and indicate damages at the individual structure level. 

The GDA analysis provides information about the disaster's size, scope, impacts, and extent so that response leadership can make critical decisions such as deploying resources and prioritizing critical services. Furthermore, when appropriate, FEMA’s Recovery Office uses the data to inform Preliminary Damage Assessments, requests for expedited Major Disaster Declarations, and to facilitate expedited assistance.

Problem

During large-scale incidents, the amount of imagery and the short delivery timeframe for exploitation can overwhelm existing FEMA resources. To meet these expectations, the mission requires many pre-trained analysts who can devote large allotments of time and who are ready to assist at a moment’s notice.

Training Requirements

Analysts perform GDAs by reviewing pre- and post-incident imagery and assigning damage classifications (no visible damage, affected, major, minor, and destroyed) to each structure in the imagery. After imagery becomes available, the RGO will input the area of interest and the imagery into the online GDA application so analysts can begin their work.

New analysts must undergo training to learn all aspects of the process. The training involves three modules outlined below and a practical knowledge test in which the new analyst must place accurate damage points using the online GDA application. 

Training takes approximately three hours plus an additional 30-40 minutes for the Go-NoGo test and both are available via an online training portal.

Training Modules:

Geospatial Damage Assessment Guidelines 

This module provides specific guidance regarding Geospatial Damage Assessments based on the visual damage observed from imagery (e.g., aerial, satellite, ground) of structures in areas affected by disasters (tornado, hurricane, flood, volcano).

USA Structures 

In this module, the analyst will learn about the baseline data that the RGO uses to identify a structure’s occupancy. They will also learn how to change the occupancy type when it is incorrect. 

Learn the Application

This module outlines the application's functionality and describes how to use the tool in detail.

Practice your skills in the “Sandbox.”

This tool mimics the live application and allows you to practice in a no-fail environment.

Knowledge Test

Once users complete the three training modules, they will receive an email to complete a practical exercise to test their skills. 

Virtual Deployment Process

When requesting virtual deployment of USCG Auxiliary personnel, FEMA will:

1.   Email the Director and Deputy Director of the Emergency Management and Disaster Response Directorate to request the activation of pre-trained auxiliary team members. The Directorate will then ensure that a current Assignment to Duty (ATD) is signed and on file for the Auxiliary member participating remotely in the response. 

2.   Indicate the mission scope, including the incident name and location, the number of requested personnel, and the expected length of the deployment.

3.   Indicate the FEMA points of contact, reporting procedures, and a daily operations plan that includes key information such as the battle rhythm.

4.    Provide an Administrative Guide that will include all instructions.

Mission Execution

During the Mission Execution phase of the deployment, Auxiliary volunteers will work in the GDA assessment tool's live production environment. They will be directed by a GDA Team Leader who will provide daily direction throughout the assignment. 

Administrative Requirements

The USCG Auxiliary Q Directorate will track volunteer participation, coordinate awards for stellar service, and track performance via completion of an ICS-225 form. 

·   Volunteers should commit to a minimum of 2–3-hour uninterrupted time blocks daily to ensure consistency. 

·   Volunteers will not work in the GDA application without explicit instructions regarding daily priorities. Therefore, volunteers must attend daily 0830 (Eastern Time) briefings, and when this is not possible, ensure they obtain instructions from their team lead.

·       Anyone not performing to expectations will be asked to demobilize.  

Equipment Requirements

 To fully participate in GDA activities, Auxiliary members must possess a working computer, a computer mouse, internet access, web browsers installed on their machines, including Chrome, Edge, or Safari, and access to Esri ArcGIS Online and Microsoft Teams.

Volunteers are prohibited from performing GDA activities in public places, e.g., coffee shops, parks, etc., or utilizing public “open” Wi-Fi internet connections. 

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