Damocles Risk Assessor

We are all exposed to different hazards. To different disasters.
We are all differently vulnerable. (Artwork bySimon Kneebone)

In the palm of your hand

The Damocles Heuristic

How do you recognize and address your vulnerabilities to disasters?

Damocles Risk Assessor – Instructional.pdfDownload

The internationally respected Standard on Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management (NFPA 1600 / soon to become NFPA 1660) defines risk as a measure of the probability and severity of adverse effects that result from exposure to a hazard.

The structure and processes promoted by USA Homeland Security for assessing risk https://www.ready.gov/risk-assessment

Drawing on internationally respected approaches for disaster management and vulnerability assessment, the Damocles Risk Assessor App applies these key elements to your context.

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1. Identify hazards or threats relevant to you

The “hazard list” from the standard is a good place to start.
Use it to filter which threats or hazards might be relevant to you.

Excerpt from the NFPA list of Hazards

Do you think the NFPA classifications and hazard categories can be enhanced?
Fine – add or tailor your own. The Damocles app supports that option.

… and within the categories (including your newly created ones),
Damocles supports adding and editing specific hazards!

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2. Filter relevant hazards for significance

To the threats or hazards which made it through your initial “might be relevant” filter, attribute a level of significance (on a scale of zero to ten).

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3. Consider the level of vulnerability to each significant hazard – before a disaster

We – and the things we care about – are all variously vulnerable.

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4. Consider the level of impact an extreme event had (or is having)

AFTER

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5. Take action where the risk is assessed as high

We only assess risk in order to better manage it.

Configure your report fit for purpose and communicate it to the right people!

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