Modeling

CAMEO, MARPLOT, and ALOHA

The Computer Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) suite helps model chemical emergencies with three programs: CAMEO; Mapping Applications for Response, Planning, and Local Operational Tasks (MARPLOT); and Areal Locations of Hazardous Atmospheres (ALOHA). CAMEO is the chemical database that facilitates a search through thousands of chemicals and procure information on physical characteristics, hazards, and safety issues. A search can also be conducted by facilities to find out information on special locations and transportation routes. CAMEO also allows the virtual mixing of chemicals to find information on their reactions. A chemical hazard can also be modeled in CAMEO by using the Screenings and Scenarios section, which is considered a simplified model. Screenings are based on the worst-case scenario as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, while the Scenarios model is more heavily based on atmospheric and chemical conditions. If a user desires a more complex chemical hazard model than Screenings and Scenarios, they can work with ALOHA, which is an air dispersion model that allows the input of chemical and meteorological data, location, and storage information to create a chemical release plume. This chemical release plume result can be added to MARPLOT, the mapping product of the suite. MARPLOT includes several types of maps, such as a road network. The plume can be overlaid on a map to visualize the area that will be affected. These programs, however, have limitations. The reactivity sheets in CAMEO only allow a reaction between two chemicals at one time. When ALOHA is first opened, it discusses the limitations of the program due to wind speed and shifts, terrain, atmospheric conditions, and concentration of the chemical. MARPLOT may have issues with locations, such as a school that may not be in the exact location represented in the software.

HAZUS, SLOSH, and OREMS

HAZUS-MH, which stands for HAZUS-Multi Hazard, is an extension that loads onto ArcGIS, a popular GIS software package. HAZUS-MH estimates direct and indirect damages and losses on an area from earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. The model has also been used for other hazards, including landslides and tornadoes. The model includes hazard data (on the three types of hazards discussed above) and descriptive data on locations including population, housing, and economics. These descriptive data are aggregated by census block.

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