%20(1)%20(1).gif)
Our Origin
Founded to Close a Critical Gap
Mapping Seismic Data was created to address a practical challenge in emergency management:
After a major earthquake, jurisdictions must make immediate decisions about where to deploy limited inspection and response resources — often without clear visibility into where the highest levels of residential vulnerability may exist.
Local governments often maintain large parcel datasets, but these datasets rarely contain the type of structural indicators that can help emergency managers anticipate where higher levels of damage might occur after strong shaking.
A Practical Approach to Preparedness
Mapping Seismic Data provides a structured, repeatable methodology to screen residential parcels using publicly available imagery and jurisdiction-provided parcel data.
The goal is not to predict collapse or conduct engineering evaluations. Instead, MSD provides planning-level insights that support preparedness planning and response prioritization for local governments.
Key Objectives
Improve visibility into older residential building patterns
Provide structured data for emergency planning
Support faster response decisions after earthquakes
Strengthen community preparedness through better information
Founder
Walter Amedee
Emergency Manager | Founder, Mapping Seismic Data
Walter Amedee is an emergency management professional with more than two decades of experience working with local governments on disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, and emergency response planning.
Through his work with cities and regional partners, he recognized the need for practical tools that help emergency managers better understand community risk before disasters occur.
Mapping Seismic Data was developed from this experience to provide a practical way to translate data into decision-making.
Public Service Background
Walter has worked extensively with city governments, fire departments, and regional partners to support emergency planning, training, and real-world response operations.
His experience includes emergency operations coordination, hazard mitigation planning, and post-disaster response.
Why MSD Was Created
Mapping Seismic Data was created to answer a simple but critical question:
Where do we go first?
Rather than focusing on individual buildings, MSD focuses on identifying patterns of vulnerability that support faster and more informed response decisions.
Designed for Local Government Use
Emergency Managers
Fire Departments
City Managers
Planning and Building Departments
Hazard Mitigation Programs
Understanding What MSD Is — and Is Not
Clarity about scope and purpose is essential for public sector use. The following defines the precise boundaries of MSD's work.
What MSD IS
MSD IS
A planning-level residential screening methodology
A repeatable workflow applicable across jurisdictions
A data-driven approach designed for emergency management planning
What MSD IS Not
What MSD Is Not
Structural engineering analysis
Building safety certification
Direct outreach to property owners
Start with a Data Briefing
Most jurisdictions begin with a short introductory briefing to see how MSD screening datasets could apply to their community.