The damage assessment response team evaluates and documents the physical damage caused by an event and its potential impact on the community. Because input from varying perspectives allows for a more thorough assessment of the damage in a community, the damage assessment response team should be composed of members from various groups and functional areas within the community. Frequently, there is overlap with those who helped develop the community’s emergency management and damage assessment plans.

Team members may include:

• Building inspectors
• Local government assessors
• Public works officials
• Code enforcement officials
• Firefighters
• Private engineers
• Amateur radio operators
• Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs) representatives

Responsibilities should be clearly designated so that efforts are not duplicated. To effectively coordinate efforts and compile information, a Damage Assessment Coordinator should be designated as the facilitator/leader of the process.

Click on the highlighted text to learn more about selecting the Damage Assessment Coordinator.