Damage Assessment Team: Introduction

The mission of the Damage Assessment Team is to prevent secondary disasters because of occupation or use of damaged buildings and infrastructure. The Team is focused on gathering windshield survey data for the Emergency Operations Center, assessing damage after a disaster, updating records, and marking buildings and infrastructure with appropriate signage.

Pre-Disaster Responsibilities

Before disaster, the Team develops protocols for post-disaster assessment and works with the local government officials and citizens to coordinate systems for assessing, tracking, and marking buildings and infrastructure.

Disaster Responsibilities

When activated, the Damage Assessment Team responds to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) where its operations will be based. Team members will deploy into the field to assess critical infrastructure, prioritizing (a) Disaster Hubs and Community-Level Meeting Places including the Disaster Medical Center, Severe Weather Shelters, the Child Reunification Center, and the Domestic Animal Care Shelter and/or (b) transportation and evacuation routes, depending on the type of disaster. 

Team members subsequently deploy to other critical facilities—like hospitals, schools, and college campuses—as directed by leadership at the EOC. 

Recovery Responsibilities

During recovery, the team continues to assess damage throughout the community eventually focusing on residences and small businesses.