{"id":2665802,"date":"2025-02-06T13:38:08","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T21:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/?post_type=blog&p=2665802"},"modified":"2025-02-07T15:44:41","modified_gmt":"2025-02-07T23:44:41","slug":"oregons-emergency-management-beyond-one-map-or-app-to-rule-them-all","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/sharing-collaboration\/oregons-emergency-management-beyond-one-map-or-app-to-rule-them-all","title":{"rendered":"Oregon\u2019s Emergency Management: Beyond one map, or app, to rule them all"},"author":9422,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":""},"categories":[37511],"tags":[42641,398132,26121,24391,770882],"industry":[],"product":[36611,380802],"class_list":["post-2665802","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sharing-collaboration","tag-arcgis-online","tag-arcgis-storymaps","tag-disaster-response","tag-public-safety","tag-storyscape","product-story-maps","product-arcgis-storymaps"],"acf":{"short_description":"Learn how Daniel Stoelb, Oregon's Department of Emergency Management, leverages ArcGIS StoryMaps for disaster declaration reports.","flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"quote","author_name":"Daniel Stoelb, GIS program coordinator","author_profession_organization":"Oregon Department of Emergency Management","image":{"ID":2665832,"id":2665832,"title":"storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1","filename":"storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","filesize":43726,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/sharing-collaboration\/oregons-emergency-management-beyond-one-map-or-app-to-rule-them-all\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1","alt":"A close up of Daniel Stoelb, GIS Manager for Oregon Department of Emergency Management","author":"9422","description":"","caption":"","name":"storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2665802,"date":"2025-01-30 21:31:35","modified":"2025-01-30 21:32:11","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":280,"height":280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1-213x200.jpg","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","medium-width":261,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","medium_large-width":280,"medium_large-height":280,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","large-width":280,"large-height":280,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","1536x1536-width":280,"1536x1536-height":280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","2048x2048-width":280,"2048x2048-height":280,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","card_image-width":280,"card_image-height":280,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/storyscape-feb2025-featuredstoryteller1.jpg","wide_image-width":280,"wide_image-height":280}},"text":"Using [ArcGIS] StoryMaps for the disaster declaration process provides our community and decision makers with information in an easy-to-read and understandable format. "},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

It was the summer of 2019.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2666342,"id":2666342,"title":"oregon disaster declaration tweet","filename":"oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet.jpg","filesize":61053,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/sharing-collaboration\/oregons-emergency-management-beyond-one-map-or-app-to-rule-them-all\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet","alt":"A globe with a location pin on Oregon with the words \"Oregon Disaster Declarations StoryMaps","author":"9422","description":"","caption":"","name":"oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2665802,"date":"2025-01-30 23:55:11","modified":"2025-01-30 23:56:25","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":678,"height":603,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet-213x200.jpg","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet.jpg","medium-width":293,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet.jpg","medium_large-width":678,"medium_large-height":603,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet.jpg","large-width":678,"large-height":603,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet.jpg","1536x1536-width":678,"1536x1536-height":603,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet.jpg","2048x2048-width":678,"2048x2048-height":603,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet-523x465.jpg","card_image-width":523,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-disaster-declaration-tweet.jpg","wide_image-width":678,"wide_image-height":603}},"image_position":"right","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

ArcGIS StoryMaps<\/a>\u00a0officially made its debut when Jennifer Bell, Esri product manager, brought Mount Everest and National Geographic Society\u2019s Alex Tait\u2019s field work to life\u2014one click and scroll at a time\u2014from the plenary podium at the 2019 Esri User Conference.<\/p>\n

Just a state away, Daniel Stoelb had other ideas for Esri\u2019s new location-based storytelling tool \u2013 as a disaster response report for the public, local agencies, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In August 2019, he shared those ideas with the StoryMaps team in this ArcGIS blog post: Communicating emergency management through digital storytelling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We caught up with Daniel after he published StoryMaps Strengthen Oregon\u2019s Disaster Declarations article<\/a>, and learned how his disaster response story evolved into a templatized story collection and became part of his GIS emergency management workflow. The following conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2016112,"id":2016112,"title":"storymaps separator","filename":"2023-01-25_11-21-26.png","filesize":5584,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/constituent-engagement\/effective-strategies-for-engaging-with-your-audience\/2023-01-25_11-21-26-2","alt":"","author":"302462","description":"","caption":"","name":"2023-01-25_11-21-26-2","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":1994392,"date":"2023-07-05 15:35:27","modified":"2023-07-05 15:35:40","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1304,"height":128,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26-213x128.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":128,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":46,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":75,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26.png","large-width":1304,"large-height":128,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26.png","1536x1536-width":1304,"1536x1536-height":128,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26.png","2048x2048-width":1304,"2048x2048-height":128,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26-826x81.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":81,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2023\/06\/2023-01-25_11-21-26.png","wide_image-width":1304,"wide_image-height":128}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

Q. It\u2019s great to see you again, Daniel. You\u2019ve been busy! For our readers, can you please share a bit about your agency and position?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, it has been a while since our first chat.<\/p>\n

I work for Oregon\u2019s Department of Emergency Management as a GIS program coordinator on disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. That hasn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n

But the approach and scope have evolved. Initially, I managed the Real-time Assessment and Planning Tool for Oregon \u2014 also known as RAPTOR \u2014 and a few applications. Since then, our backend approach, GIS workflow, and systems have grown substantially. And community involvement and multi-agency collaboration have driven innovation and results. Now I manage RAPTOR and the agency\u2019s GIS project development and maintenance. I\u2019m even building our first GIS strategic plan, with a lot of feedback from different teams and the community.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q. That\u2019s great, and a lot to unpack. Can you first walk us through your workflow? How do you move from an idea to a solution, and then maintenance?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sure. Actually, this is an area where we\u2019ve made some significant changes.<\/p>\n

For years, we managed our projects, data, and workflow through paper documents and various Word and Excel files for years. With a small team that works across agencies, we needed something better.<\/p>\n

For us, the “something better” was a combination of ArcGIS Hub sites and web apps like ArcGIS StoryMaps, Survey 123, and QuickCapture.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2666242,"id":2666242,"title":"oregon collection of emergency management apps","filename":"oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps.jpg","filesize":170583,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps.jpg","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/sharing-collaboration\/oregons-emergency-management-beyond-one-map-or-app-to-rule-them-all\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps","alt":"A screenshot of the GIS at Oregon Department of Emergency Management collection","author":"9422","description":"","caption":"Explore the ArcGIS StoryMaps collection of stories and applications.","name":"oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2665802,"date":"2025-01-30 22:58:00","modified":"2025-01-30 23:59:56","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","type":"image","subtype":"jpeg","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1469,"height":805,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps-213x200.jpg","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps.jpg","medium-width":464,"medium-height":254,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":421,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps.jpg","large-width":1469,"large-height":805,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps.jpg","1536x1536-width":1469,"1536x1536-height":805,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps.jpg","2048x2048-width":1469,"2048x2048-height":805,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps-826x453.jpg","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":453,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/oregon-collection-of-emergency-management-apps.jpg","wide_image-width":1469,"wide_image-height":805}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps.arcgis.com\/collections\/276308f683c84e87857e7d51483d4ef1"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

The RAPTOR mapping application was basically a situational awareness viewer with a few tools. As local needs evolved, we identified authoritative data feeds for information and integrated those into the system. Then we asked, \u2018what is it that we’re missing?\u2019 That question initiated a lot of our data collection tools, like our statewide evacuation layer.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"blockquote","content":"

It was really a move away from one app to rule them all to very focused bits and pieces of information.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

We started building applications based on what specific users needed and wanted to see. With emergency management, different sectors care about specific things, from preparedness to response.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

 <\/p>\n

Q. Can you share an example with us?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sure. Here\u2019s one of our more mature and popular apps for the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) Grant Program.<\/p>\n

The SPIRE hub \u2014 built with an ArcGIS Hub that houses multiple web applications \u2014 is basically a state equipment loan site. As a one-stop shop, communities can share and view information about state-purchased assets and equipment like a generator or drone.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2667272,"id":2667272,"title":"SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard","filename":"SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124.png","filesize":55309,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/sharing-collaboration\/oregons-emergency-management-beyond-one-map-or-app-to-rule-them-all\/spire_hub_with_dashboard","alt":"A bar chart of equipment status in the SPIRE hub by Oregon's Department of Emergency Management","author":"9422","description":"","caption":"Explore the Oregon Department of Emergency Management's SPIRE hub.","name":"spire_hub_with_dashboard","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2665802,"date":"2025-01-31 14:17:30","modified":"2025-01-31 14:18:28","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1307,"height":874,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124-390x261.png","medium-width":390,"medium-height":261,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124-768x514.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":514,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124.png","large-width":1307,"large-height":874,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124.png","1536x1536-width":1307,"1536x1536-height":874,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124.png","2048x2048-width":1307,"2048x2048-height":874,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124-695x465.png","card_image-width":695,"card_image-height":465,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/SPIRE_Hub_With_Dashboard-e1738333365124.png","wide_image-width":1307,"wide_image-height":874}},"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/spire-geo.hub.arcgis.com\/"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

(Explore one of the SPIRE dashboards below. Simply select an equipment item on the left to zoom in for current status, on-site photos, and more. CLICK HERE<\/a> to open the application in a new window.)<\/em><\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"storymap","title":"","description":"","static":false,"storymap_url":"https:\/\/geo.maps.arcgis.com\/apps\/dashboards\/1f633ff4ad2d42869ac49775e792e388<\/a>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

 <\/p>\n


\nQ. Are those live feeds or static data?<\/strong><\/p>\n

So it’s a combination. We utilize existing data feeds from authoritative sources like Esri and government agencies. And we can create applications with data entry built right in. That information is community-sourced based on needs identified by our planning section.<\/p>\n

For example, during wildfire activities in 2021, responders needed information about jet fuel available at airports. So we created a process and simple tool for aviation professionals on the ground to enter that data. It offers a focused and real picture for what’s happening out there.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q. How does ArcGIS StoryMaps fit into the workflow?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our initial implementation of ArcGIS StoryMaps for the disaster declaration process has grown into a templated collection of stories, spanning from 2019 to today. Each story utilizes the same branding for consistency and includes consistent information required by FEMA for disaster funding and reporting.<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":{"ID":2666082,"id":2666082,"title":"DisastersStorymapCollection","filename":"DisastersStorymapCollection.png","filesize":1040661,"url":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection.png","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/products\/story-maps\/sharing-collaboration\/oregons-emergency-management-beyond-one-map-or-app-to-rule-them-all\/disastersstorymapcollection","alt":"A screenshot of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management collection of disaster reports created with ArcGIS StoryMaps","author":"9422","description":"","caption":"Open the story collection by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management","name":"disastersstorymapcollection","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":2665802,"date":"2025-01-30 22:27:14","modified":"2025-01-30 22:30:17","menu_order":0,"mime_type":"image\/png","type":"image","subtype":"png","icon":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/wp-includes\/images\/media\/default.png","width":1621,"height":842,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection-213x200.png","thumbnail-width":213,"thumbnail-height":200,"medium":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection.png","medium-width":464,"medium-height":241,"medium_large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":399,"large":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection.png","large-width":1621,"large-height":842,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection-1536x798.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":798,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection.png","2048x2048-width":1621,"2048x2048-height":842,"card_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection-826x429.png","card_image-width":826,"card_image-height":429,"wide_image":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/arcgis-blog\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DisastersStorymapCollection.png","wide_image-width":1621,"wide_image-height":842}},"image_position":"left","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":"https:\/\/storymaps.arcgis.com\/collections\/a511e0d8f1504260bdd2ce4e1517935c"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"

For example, the 2024 Wildfire Spotlight story<\/a> includes photos and maps, data points, and required narrative to inform the public and guide decision-makers:<\/p>\n