Storm Damage Assessment Protocol Developers 1997 -2006 n

Storm Damage Assessment Protocol Developers 1997 -2006 n USDA FS, Northeastern Area, Center for Urban & Community Forestry n Davey Resource Group

Overview Quick Shot Sampling Protocol Estimating Engine Report Means Data Collection

Quick shot

What’s this all about? Easy and accurate estimate üTree storm damage üCosts for recovery Data quality and integrity Simple method Quick reporting

Context of use Planning üFramed by overall natural disaster plan n FEMA funding: Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program n Tree Emergency Plan Worksheet (Burban) Recovery üFirst 24 hours üResponse to state emergency agency

Pre-storm setup üCreate random sample n Before emergency! n Use electronic or manual means üMeasure tree density and size class n Within ROW n Also 50’ back from ROW edge üTake final steps n Pre-Storm report form: useful estimate n Storage for future use

Post-storm work Revisit sample segments ü Record for all trees within 50’ of ROW n Choose method of estimating debris (by segment) ¨ ¨ Indirect by average crown loss class § 0 -25%, 26 -50%, etc. § Historical records form basis § Loss category images available from FS Direct as CY of debris n Hazard pruning by size class n Hazard removal by size class ü Paper or PDAs Enter data, report results

Sampling protocol

Based on random sampling General discussion earlier Storm type üTested for ice storms n Low variance n 2% sample got within 5% of true value in field test üNot tested for wind storms n Larger variance n May affect required sample size Area of ongoing i-Tree research

Estimating Engine

Spreadsheet Estimator built as Excel® spreadsheet ü 6 worksheets n Home/Read. Me – navigation, help n Pre. Storm Data – setup data n Pre. Storm Analysis – preliminary analysis n Post. Storm Data – damage data n Post. Storm Analysis – report form n Codes, lookup tables – functional elements Use of Excel® based on user survey

Hyperlinks for easy navigation

Report Means

Procedure Estimation üStarts with field data üUses local costs üScales up with simple formulas Calculation page = report üCredibility üEase, speed

Validation Sampling indicated on report üMeans of random sampling üPercent of street miles sampled Numbers derived right on sheet üDebris üPruning, removal Local costs shown

These values can be adjusted by end user

Data Collection

Data collection Means üPaper forms üPDAs

Paper forms

Manual data entry Easiest to use Excel’s entry form ü Highlight top row of headers ü On menu, click Data Form ü Ignore any error message! Can also just start typing at cell A 1

Paper advantages Low cost No technical training No batteries Tough Always have backup to electronic Currently only way to record nonlinear plots

Paper disadvantages Error-prone üDecipherment üQA harder Can be slower in field Much slower in office

PDAs

Hardware i-Tree only supports Pocket PC operating system Cost ü $200 -400 or more Making the choice ü Online n Search “PDA review” n CNET. com, PCMAG. com, etc. ü Local merchant

Software: handheld Installed on handheld through Start menu Data uploaded automatically during synchronization Details in Manual

Software: desktop Management of data and applications Simple, intuitive Details in Manual

Desktop interface Installs with single double-click Requires user input üCommunity name üStreet mileage üRandom selection file location üNew Interface makes this automatic Places field data into spreadsheet

PDA Advantages Fast data collection Low error rate No data entry Many processes automated

PDA Disadvantages Up-front equipment expense Training required Low battery life in cold üSome PDAs have battery packs available Units not protected üPlastic freezer bag often sufficient üWaterproof cases (e. g. , Otter) available

Exercise!