"The process used to appraise or determine the number of injuries and deaths, damage to public and private property, and the status of key facilities and services such as hospitals and other health care facilities, fire and police stations, communications networks, water and sanitation systems, utilities, and transportation networks resulting from a man-made or natural disaster". (FEMA, Guide for All-Hazard Emer. Ops Planning (SLG 101), 1996, GLO-1)