Disaster Research 154

A Note from Kobe

[Apologies to those of you who have seen this elsewhere, but we thought I was worth posting and/or repeating - thanks to Jim Sullivan and the TIEMES list]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 18 Jan 1995 02:44:14 -0600
>From: Jun KAWAI
Subject: The earthquake in Japan.

In Japan, we have two major area of economics, industry and population. They are Tokyo and Osaka. Kobe, most damaged city at this earthquake, is next to Osaka and highly integrated with traffic system, industrial works, residences and lifelines. It is the first direct attack against modern big city in Japan. So, we must investigate it to derive meaningful admonition. Ignition of fire, contrary to our estimation, had occurred at many points. Victims under buildings destruction were also far beyond our estimation.
The most important lesson which must be insisted on is the weakness of activities for recovery in Japan. We could hardly prepare rescues, medical treatments, fire-fightings and foods. If earthquake had occurred during day time, especially in rush hours, damage could be more than 10 times as it is. Lastly, unstabilization of mass psychology can not be seen, so far.

**=============**=============**=============**
Jun KAWAI
Staff Researcher
Research Center for Safety Science
Mitsubishi Research Institute,Inc.
ALCO TOWER, 1-8-1, Meguro City, Tokyo, Japan
Voice: 81-3-5434-8955
Fax: 81-3-5434-8951

Kobe II

I work for an emergency management consulting firm in the US. I would be interested to know if anyone is getting any hard data from the Kobe quake. I would be interested in receiving any quantifiable data regarding the quake, the quake effects, and the emergency response.

Many thanks,
Saye Atkinson
Systems Analyst
atkinson@ccgate.ieminc.com

Kobe III - Just In: Kobe on the Net

[Many thanks to bernie@interlog.com and the Nets forum for the following]

JANUARY 1995 JAPAN EARTHQUAKE INTERNET SITES:

For errors or additions, please e-mail to bernie@interlog.com.
POSTED: January 18,1995.

Looking for People Interested in the Risks Associated with Wildland Fire Fighting

The International Association of Wildland Fire is looking for researchers and managers in related emergency fields that are interested in the following questions:

• What factors in wildland firefighter's culture cause them to take excessive risks, despite adequate training designed to avoid such risks?
• How can such factors be mitigated (i.e. what aspects of the training, indoctrination, work place attitude, etc. can be modified to cease such behavior)?
• Can psychological screening help identify people that, in leadership positions, might put fire crews at risk?

Dr. Jason Greenlee
(509) 283 2397
jgreenlee@igc.apc.org

Looking for Information on Disaster Injuries

I am a student at the University of Toledo. My thesis examines the types of injuries that Disaster Medical Assistance Teams treated following Hurricane Andrew as a function of spatial distribution and time. Past research has shown typical injuries related to hurricanes include wounds, stings, and sprains. I am looking for research on these types of injuries, related to natural disasters, that takes spatial and temporal criteria into account. I'd also appreciate any suggestions regarding other areas where I may find related information.

Patricia Worso, Graduate Student
Department of Geography and Planning
University of Toledo, Ohio
PSHOWAL@ UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU

If You Need Information on the California Floods . . .

[Thanks to David Fowler and the Nets List for the following]

Flood Information Now Available on "CERES"
On-Line System Offers Data on Shelters, Road Closures, More

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- CERES, the State's on-line system for data on California's natural resources, today unveiled a new Internet service specifically dedicated to helping people access information on the recent floods and their aftermath.

CERES puts at one's fingertips information about the current status of local flooding, shelter locations, road closures, and general information about how people should protect against and prepare for floods.

FEMA on the Net (II)