Association of Conservation Engineers 2011 Conference Disaster Debris Removal Operations October 26, 2011
Presenters s Keith Forrester, Debris Monitoring Operations Manager Over 8 years of experience managing debris monitoring i operations throughout h t the United States following some of the largest debris generating natural disasters in recent history. Worked extensively on programs to remove dangerous leaning trees, hazardous hanging limbs, and stump removal in some of the largest parks impacted by debris generating events in the last decade, including programs in Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas. Nicole Counsell, Senior Grant Consultant Over 5 years of experience managing grant programs administered by FEMA, HUD, FHWA and the NRCS. Substantiated over $3.5 Million in FEMA PA funding to monitor and document the removal of over 10,000 standing dead trees throughout the City of Galveston that were killed as a result of saltwater inundation after Hurricane Ike in 2008. Extensive experience in managing and supporting special debris removal programs including sand removal, vessel recovery, and private property debris removal.
Company Overview Established 2011 Limited Liability Corporation Services Debris Monitoring Grant Administration Housing Officers Jon Hoyle, President Nate Counsell, Vice-President Established 1953 Corporation Services Full-Service Engineering Environmental Consulting Construction Management Officers Henry R. Seawell, III, Chairman James H. Shumock, CEO John H. Baker, III, President Bob Keyser, COO Established 1999 Limited Liability Corporation Services Architecture Interior Design Master Planning Officers Jim Clarke, Vice-President Sandy McArthur, Vice-President
Introduction to Thompson Consulting Services Headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida Team of industry renown disaster response and recovery consultants Ten additional offices located throughout the Southeast
Introduction to Thompson Consulting Services Full service emergency response and disaster recovery consultancy 50 years of combined staff experience in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from: Tornados Hurricanes Floods Earthquakes Ice Storms Rock Slides Supports federal, state, and local governments
Presentation Overview e Importance of Debris Management Planning Debris Management Operations Overview Planning Response Recovery Mitigation Unique Challenges for Conservation Districts Case Study Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Questions
Importance of Debris Management age e Planning Weather/climate related disasters are unpredictable, devastating, ti and costly
Importance of Debris Management age e Planning The U.S. has experienced 110 weather/climate related disasters over the past 31 years in which h the overall damages and costs have reached or exceeded $1 billion 1. The total standardized losses for the 110 events exceed $750 billion 1. Approximately 70-80% of all disaster related costs are associated with debris management On average, vegetative debris (trees, brush, and limbs) may run as high as 70% of the total amount debris generated from a disaster incident. 1. Source: National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) Chronological List of U.S. Billion Dollar Events
Importance of Debris Management Planning Depending on the severity of the disaster incident the following elements can be affected by debris removal operations Impacts on local economy o Strain on staff and resources Threat to public health and safety Restoration of government services Impacts on government revenues Debris removal operations typically span 6 to 18 months
Disaster Recovery Timeline
Debris Management Operations Planning Assessment of hazards and vulnerabilities Establishing and understanding debris management roles and responsibilities Debris quantity estimation by hazard and waste stream Identify available land for debris management sites (DMS) Prepare template public information materials (set out procedures, hazards / safety, etc.) Stakeholder regulatory coordination (environmental, health and safety, etc.) Development of a disaster debris management plan (DDMP) Procurement of stand-by response contractors
Debris Management Operations Response Emergency roadway clearance Time and materials documentation DMS setup and initiation Truck certification Debris removal programs Right-of-Way (ROW) Leaner, hanger and stump removal Private property debris removal (PPRD) Parks and recreational areas Debris reduction and disposal FEMA Category A&B project worksheet development Data management and invoice reconciliation
Debris Management Operations Recovery Permanent work / reconstruction projects Road systems and bridges Parks and recreations Water control facilities Utilities FEMA Category A&B close out and Category C&G project work sheet development
Debris Management Operations Mitigation After-action report and improvement matrix development Documentation of improvements Grant program research and application development
Debris Management Operations Technology & Trends Technology Automated Debris Management System (ADMS) Geographic Information Systems and reverse geo-coding Data QA/QC Digital photography Trends Direct Federal Assistance Requests Self-enforced monitoring Pre-event contracting
AL Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Case Study April 2011 Tornados FEMA-DR-1971 Impacted states: AL, AR, LA, MS, GA,TN, VA, KY, IL, MO, OH, TX, OK Estimated 343 tornadoes, 321 deaths of those 240 occurred in AL EF-5 hit northern AL; impacted metropolitan areas included Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, and Huntsville Parks Affected Lake Guntersville Buck s Pocket Wind Creek
AL Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Case Study Debris Management Operations Vegetative debris collected 108,000000 CYD Root ball removal - 2400 Workforce peak of 30 inspectors averaging 14 16 Unique Considerations Mapping and GIS Terrain Safety Historical/preservation areas Wildlife Inclement weather Eligibility challenges
AL Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Case Study Best practices and lessons learned Safety Proper staffing for the proper programs Proper pre-event plans for safety Proper blazing of trails - entrance signs, tree markings, posts on the way, trail exits Shelters for tourists/employees Documentation Early warning sirens Hazard mitigation for safety Diligently monitor staffing and resources utilized for debris removal operations; eligible costs will be scrutinized Maintain proper documentation of post event volunteer hours Document man hours applied to State t owned and rented areas Verify contractor time estimates which directly affect the monitoring portion of billing Capture pre-event photo documentation of improved areas easiest way to prove that an area was maintained before any event.
AL Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Case Study Best practices and lessons learned continued Flexibility FEMA interpretation of guidelines can be quite different from the applicants. Remember, it s the applicants responsibility to understand regulations and drive their recovery. FEMA rotations approved activities may change based on FEMA staff assignments. Conservation districts have unique needs and challenges that may not be Conservation districts have unique needs and challenges that may not be understood by all parties involved in recovery efforts.
ROW Debris Removal Before After
Campground Debris Removal Before Before
Campground Debris Removal Before Before
Campground Debris Removal After After
Day Use Area Debris Removal Before After
Hazardous a Stump/Rootball Extraction Before After
Trail Debris Removal
Trail Debris Removal
QUESTIONS? Keith Forrester Thompson Consulting Services kforrester@thompsoncs.net (573) 741-9077 (573) 741 9077 (321) 338-5003 Nicole Counsell Thompson Consulting Services nscounsell@thompsoncs.net (321) 338 5003