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State Preliminary Damage Assessment Team

Overview

Following an emergency or disaster, the Governor requests PDAs as the first step to collecting information in the declaration process. The State Preliminary Damage Assessment Team is responsible for surveying damages in designated areas, and they do this by going city-by-city, street-by-street, door-to-door, until impacted areas identified by state, tribal, and local officials have been thoroughly assessed.

The team or teams not only survey the number of damaged or destroyed structures but also the broader impacts on communities. This includes understanding disruptions to essential services, housing, employment, education, and medical needs. In large-scale disasters or when areas are inaccessible, assessments may be conducted by vehicle or aircraft to ensure all-around coverage.

During the Assessment

The team members talk to as many residents as possible to gather detailed, first-hand accounts of how the disaster has affected and future effects it may have on individuals and families. They look for all signs of damage, even those not immediately visible – such as waterlines, roof or foundation issues, and broken doors or windows.

Residents may be asked questions such as:

  • Do you have insurance?
  • Are your utilities functional?
  • Do you have a safe place to stay?
  • Has your employment been affected?
  • Have your children had to change schools?
  • Was your vehicle damaged?
  • Do you or your household members have any special medical needs?

While not every household will be contacted directly, if damages have already been reported to local or state officials, those reports will be shared with the team(s) and cross-referenced with the street report. All of the information collected will be considered for the assessments.

Along with assessing the damages that affected individuals within a community, the State Preliminary Damage Assessment Team will also assess the impact of the incident on public infrastructure. This includes the cost of emergency measures, such as debris removal, and repair or restoration of public facilities such as roads and buildings.

The goal is to complete the assessments efficiently and thoroughly to ensure the teams have captured the total impact to the communities and area of the state affected by the disaster.

To report local damages, please visit: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/cbd19a4caed24dcc83cf7c5781bbe1e1.

This link will provide the public with the option to self-report damages that have been identified during a disaster event.

After the Assessment

After the information is compiled by the Nevada Office of Emergency Management (OEM), it is provided to the Governor to determine if he will request federal assistance. If the Governor believes the damages “are beyond state and local capabilities,” he will submit the written request to the President and specify the type of assistance needed and which counties are affected.

It is important to remember that the State Preliminary Damage Assessment Teams do not determine whether a major disaster declaration will be issued.

The information compiled within a final damage assessment report by OEM is subsequently used for the following purposes:

  • The PDA report is a requirement for inclusion with a local application for assistance from the State Disaster Relief Account pursuant to the provisions of Nevada Revised Statute, Chapter 353.2755(2)(e).
  • In the event that the State seeks a Presidential Disaster Declaration, the information contained within the PDA report is utilized as the justification for the request.
  • The PDA report can also be utilized for planning and coordination in relation to the deployment of resources.

In some cases, federal agencies may accompany the State Preliminary Damage Assessment Team to offer technical expertise and logistical support through the assessment process.