Disaster Management Protocol (10-DG-114200004-005)

We propose to reduce the impact of storms on urban forests by helping counties and communities plan to manage trees and vegetation prior to an event so that there is less debris after an event by having them focus their efforts on trees in transportation corridors leading to critical infrastructure as well as along main thoroughfares.  This will be accomplished by introducing a GIS vegetation map layer that will highlight these critical areas of urban forest to be managed.  Approved urban forestry techniques such as proper species selection, proper pruning, and professional evaluation of “at risk” trees as well as proper and appropriate planting without utility interference will be outlined in a Vegetative Risk Management Plan Template and in accompanying Webinar training.  We propose to lessen personal injuries and property damage by, in our Vegetative Risk Management Plan Template, identifying urban forests co-located with or en route to critical infrastructure; as well as recommending the proper and professional management techniques of trees surrounding this critical infrastructure, and all public infrastructures.  This will lessen the risk of failure of these trees and the subsequent potential damage to life and property which can be caused due to storm events.  Our proposal will decrease emergency management costs by reducing future potential debris as a product of managing urban forests, as well as educating local governments on the process of integrating urban forestry into both Debris Management Plans (response/recovery) and Vegetative Risk Management Plans (preparedness/mitigation).  Our proposal will also provide instructions on how to obtain information for the development of Debris Management Plans as well as the templates to create the Vegetative Risk Management plans.  Professionally managing a community’s urban forest will directly decrease emergency management costs by creating a more viable, healthy tree canopy. Knowing how to approach and manage debris prior to a storm can also save time and money, and we will support the development of FEMA and State Emergency Management Agency approved Debris Management Plans which utilize proper professional urban forest management techniques.

Additional File Downloads

Project Product

Project Webinar Announcement