Charles River Analytics, a developer of intelligent systems solutions, discussed airborne decision aids for response planning on a panel discussing recovery at the University of Massachusetts. UMass Boston’s Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities After Disasters (CRSCAD) held a conference on May 8-9, 2014, to address the challenges of disaster recovery. A main goal of the UMass Boston International Conference on Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Sustainable Reconstruction was to examine and share best practices and lessons learned in reducing the impact of disasters on communities around the globe.

Over ninety panelists, including Daniel Stouch of Charles River Analytics, presented on topics ranging from science and technology applications, response and recovery efforts, community approaches, animals in disasters, and data and disasters. Stouch’s paper, Rapid Aerial Assessment of Post Incident Damage for Enhanced Situational Awareness, will appear in the conference proceedings.

“On a panel discussing science and technology applications to mitigate natural hazards, I presented some work that we’re doing with airborne decision aids to optimize flight routes for response planning,” explained Stouch. “We are also developing algorithms to more autonomously process and use the collected imagery.”

Keynote speakers at the conference included Elina Palm, Head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction in New York; Susie Kitchens, Her Majesty’s Counsel General British Consulate General in New England; Michael R. Davis, President, Boston Society of Architects; Stephen White, Dean, School of Architecture, Art & Historic Preservation, Roger Williams University; and Clayton Kolb, Sr. Director of Resource Support and Coordination, American Red Cross, National Headquarters, Washington, DC.