Demonstration Center Open Sandbox Hazard Operations

Regional Hazard Operations

Three regional scenarios demonstrate the same national operational architecture used in the program: AOI/COP, nationwide authoritative Live Intelligence, state/Tribal/local overlays, Threat-Approach Override, BEACON, Predictive Future State, resources, protective actions, decisions, field operations and recovery. Minnesota is used in portions of this DEMO as an example; the operational program is not Minnesota-limited.

National source backboneThreat-Approach OverrideOne parent incidentMultiple counties / jurisdictionsLinked hazardsForecast → Consequence → ActionResponse → Recovery

Regional Severe Weather Outbreak

A fast-moving multi-state / multi-county storm system crosses several jurisdictions with severe thunderstorms, tornado warnings, confirmed tornado damage, straight-line wind, hail, flash flooding and widespread outages.

1 · Forecast / ReadinessSPC/NWS outlooks, staffing readiness, vulnerable facilities and resource staging.

2 · WarningWarning polygons intersect AOIs, facilities, communities and field teams.

3 · ImpactConfirmed tornado, wind damage, outages, road closures and SAR needs.

4 · Stabilize / RecoverDebris, shelter, damage assessment, utility restoration and recovery handoff.

Inputs

NWS alerts/forecasts, radar, storm reports, sustained wind/gusts, hail, lightning, rainfall, road status, outages, field observations.

BEACON

New warning, polygon expansion, observed tornado, 70+ mph wind, flash-flood escalation, growing outages, road isolation, resource threshold.

Command View

Current storm → projected evolution → warning areas → exposed people/facilities → damage/outages → transportation/comms → resources → protective actions → decisions.

Cross-hazard demonstration

Severe Thunderstorm→ Tornado→ Power Outage→ Flash Flood→ Road Closure→ SAR→ Shelter→ Damage / Recovery

Widespread Multi-County Flood

Prolonged heavy rainfall produces rising rivers and streams across multiple counties, road and bridge closures, isolated communities, wastewater concerns, rescue operations and a long recovery period.

1 · 72–48 HoursHeavy rainfall forecast, basin monitoring and pre-positioning.

2 · OnsetFlood watches/warnings, rising gauges and first closures.

3 · Major ImpactsEvacuations, isolation, high-water rescue, utilities and sheltering.

4 · Recession / RecoveryDamage assessment, debris, infrastructure repair, FEMA/PA evidence.

Inputs

River/stream gauges, NWPS forecasts and crest projections, rainfall, soil saturation, dam/levee concerns, inundation, 511 closures, utility/wastewater, field reports.

BEACON

Gauge threshold, crest revision, new county affected, evacuation expansion, road loss, shelter capacity, infrastructure failure, resource shortfall.

Regional Flood Command View

Flooding now → flooding next → affected jurisdictions → people/areas at risk → isolation/transportation → critical infrastructure → resources → protective actions → decisions.

Recovery evidence chain

AOI→ Damaged Asset→ GPS / Photos→ Work Performed→ Personnel / Equipment→ Cost→ PA / Recovery Record

Wildfire Complex — Minnesota Example

Multiple fires expand under dry fuels and changing wind, threatening communities, recreation areas, Tribal/federal lands and critical infrastructure while competing for crews, engines and aviation resources.

1 · Elevated DangerDNR fire danger/restrictions and fire weather increase Watchtower monitoring.

2 · Initial AttackMultiple fires, perimeters, acreage, cause/status and initial resources.

3 · ExpansionSpread projection, evacuations, structure protection, closures and smoke.

4 · Containment / RecoveryRe-entry, demobilization, damage, debris and after-action review.

Inputs

NIFC/WFIGS incidents and perimeters, NWS fire weather, FIRMS thermal detections, AirNow smoke/AQI, evacuations, closures, crews and aircraft, with Minnesota DNR/MNICS added in this example AOI.

BEACON

Rapid acreage growth, containment change, Red Flag issuance, wind shift, newly threatened community, road/forest closure, smoke worsening, resource shortage.

Wildfire Command View

Current fire → projected spread → people/infrastructure at risk → evacuations/closures → resources → fire weather → smoke → structure protection → decisions.

Shared Predictive Future State

Time	What Vanguard shows	Required decision context
NOW / fast interval	Observed condition, warning/perimeter/gauge status, direct impacts.	Immediate protective action and life safety.
+1 to +6 hours	Expected movement, spread, crest/road/access changes and near-term resource demand.	Staging, mutual aid, shelter, evacuation, staffing.
+12 to +24 hours	Regional consequences and operational-period outlook.	Operational objectives, IAP/resource priorities, continuity.
+48 to +72 hours	Extended consequences, recovery transition and likely residual risk.	Demobilization, recovery, executive decisions and public messaging.

Every forecast is expected to display source, confidence, assumptions, uncertainty and limitations.