Damage app tested in Somerset Co.
Somerset County officials are looking at new resources that could improve the aftermath response.
On Thursday, the county became the first Maryland to test out a new app called the Collector App. It is free to download and serves as a database by providing local emergency officials an electronic questionnaire, meant to be used following a natural or man-made disaster.
When they conduct door-to-door damage assessments, officials can use the app to record data which will be visible on a shared cloud storage by local, state, and federal emergency agencies.
Maryland emergency management agency official Will Meville says it can improve how agencies like FEMA determine the level of funding a disaster area receives.
“It’s a much better decision than they would have if they got some paper with a bunch of addresses on it. They can make an informed decision to hopefully grant that county individual assistance declaration.” Says Melville.
That sort of assistance could have been beneficial during Superstorm Sandy, according to Melville. The devastating storm of 2012 triggered billions in FEMA assistance to state, local and tribal governments nationwide.
Somerset county emergency planner Victoria Lloyd says this app could have helped locals stay better organized amidst the destruction.
“There was damage we didn’t know happened in areas, there was damage that was collected that we couldn’t find at the end of the day.” Says Lloyd. “With this app, all of the damage is collected in one place. We can map it out, we know where they’re hit hardest.”
On the grounds of Princess Anne Thursday, nine members of the Somerset County damage assessment team tested it out. 47 ABC followed one team to a small strip of homes on Greenspring Drive.
The homes are not damaged, but it gave members like Annette Cottman an idea behind how it works.
“If you have a cell phone or a tablet, you’re good to go because that’s pretty much
Lloyd says everyone who participated on Thursday seemed to be on board, but the county says they need to learn more about the app before moving forward.
