Best practice of data collection at the local scale: the RISPOSTA procedure

This chapter describes the experience gained in the Umbria region (Central Italy) in developing RISPOSTA (Reliable InStruments for POST event damage Assessment), a new procedure for the collection of damage data at the local scale, after flood events. First, the objectives of the procedure are discussed (i.e., desirable outcomes) as well as when and where the procedure can be applied (i.e., the juridical and the physical context). Then, the logical structure of RISPOSTA is described along its four logical axes: 1) timeline of activities, 2) actors, i.e., who does what, 3) activities included in the procedure, and 4) the sector‐based approach. The third part of the chapter supplies a detailed description of activities included in the procedures and of tools developed for their implementation: 1) the collection of data regarding flooded areas, damage to residential buildings, and damage to industrial/commercial premises, for which a field survey is required, 2) data gathering from (and sharing with) responsible stakeholders for the other exposed sectors, and 3) data coordination. The chapter ends with a critical analysis of strengths and limits of the current procedure as well as of desirable improvements in order to increase the comprehensiveness of resulting damage scenarios. Results of stress tests are presented in order to discuss the feasibility and robustness of the procedure.