Disaster Research 171

Seeking Information on Probabilistic Distribution of Disasters Correlated to Geographic Location

We are seeking global maps that indicate natural hazards by type anddisaster incidents occurring per geographic area with the probability ofoccurrence either graphically coded or explicitly stated. Does anyone knowif such a map or set of maps exists or know of accessible data sets fromwhich such maps might be developed? If anyone can refer us to a sourcefrom which we might obtain this information, please contact theundersigned. Thank you.

Seeking Information on Computer Distance Learning in Fire/Disaster Response

The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is currently attempting toidentify what efforts have been undertaken in the area of computerdistance learning, as it relates to the local response community. Anyinformation would be appreciated. It does not matter if this has been acommercial venture, we are attempting to find what efforts are underway.
Thanks in advance,

John R. Kihl,R.N.
Information Systems Technical Advisor
National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
jkihl@interramp.com voice: 412-838-8891
VoiceMail/Fax/AlpaNumeric Paging: 1-800-741-5152

FEMA Looking for Exemplary Practices in Emergency Management

In keeping with its goals of building a strong and effective emergencymanagement system, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)continues to search for creative ways and means to better utilize theresources that are available at the federal, state and local levels ofgovernment, as well as in the private and volunteer sectors.

With "Partnerships in Preparedness" as its theme, FEMA's new initiative,the "Compendium of Exemplary Practices in Emergency Management" providesan avenue for forging cooperation and leveraging emergency managementtalent and resources throughout the public and private sectors, and paystribute to those who have developed such practices.

An exemplary practice in emergency management is any practice, project,program, technique or method that works in one place and is worthy ofcopying and can be copied elsewhere. The compendium will describe public-and private-sector emergency management initiatives such as inventivecoordination among organizations, volunteer projects and resource sharing,and other innovative and highly effective emergency management activities.It will refer users to knowledgeable individuals for further informationon any practice described in the compendium, so that they can obtain thenecessary details to adopt the practice.

The compendium will be distributed throughout the emergency managementcommunity and made available on FEMA electronic bulletin boards and on the"information superhighway," acknowledging contributions by persons andorganizations. The search for exemplary practices in Emergency Managementand sharing them through compendium updates will be a continuing effort.Sources include state and local government, constituent organizations,public interest groups, first responders, large and small privatebusinesses, industries, volunteer organizations and their associations,and even private citizens.

About the NDCRT

[Received the following from administrator@ndcrt.wa.com]

The National Disaster Communication Response Team is a small,professional, non-profit organization dedicated to providingcommunications support in the state of Washington, should a disasterstrike. Still in the evolutionary stages, our goal is to providenationwide support for disaster operations at the request of anyorganization involved in disaster relief.

In addition to providing our own manpower and equipment, we have a cacheof materials prepared for a disaster event which provides the flexibilityto effectively manage any situation. Our staff are qualified professionalsin the field of communications with the capabilities to establishtelephone, satellite, amateur, commercial or public safety communicationsnetworks on-the-fly. Linking of resources and management of communicationsas a field post are easily established.

In addition to our own staff, we possess other resources which allow us tomanage multiple communication provider networks and provide many levels ofsupport to those in need.

Portland, Oregon, Is Test Site of Loss Estimation Methodology

[Taken from "NCEER Information Service News" - a newsletter of theNational Center for Earthquake Engineering Research]

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has selected Portland,Oregon, as the site of the first pilot test of a standardized earthquakeloss estimation methodology. The methodology was developed by RiskManagement Solutions, Inc. of Menlo Park, California, under contract tothe National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS), which is engaged in acooperative effort with FEMA to produce a nationally applicablestandardized methodology for estimating earthquake losses on a regionalbasis.

In the pilot test, which has begun, depending on the scenario chosen,ground motion and earthquake effects such as landsliding and liquefactionwill be modelled. Based on the model, estimates of damage to buildings,lifelines, and essential facilities will be made, and these estimates willthen be used to forecast the number of casualties, need for emergencyshelter, costs of repair and replacement, and economic losses. The testwill also map the location of high potential loss facilities such as dams,nuclear facilities, and military installations. The pilot test beganFebruary 1995 and is expected to be completed in December 1995.

For additional information, contact: Philip Schneider, Director,Earthquake Loss Estimation Methodology Study (NIBS), 1201 L Street, N.W.,Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-7800; fax: (202) 289-1092; orFred Sharrocks, Project Manager, FEMA, 500 C Street, S.W., Washington, DC20472; (202) 646-2796; fax; (202) 646-4596.

To obtain a copy of the report "Assessment of the State of the Art:Earthquake Loss Estimation Methodologies," 1994 (FEMA-249), contact theFEMA Distribution Center, P.O. Box 2012, Jessup, MD 20794; 1-800-480-2520;fax: (301) 497-6378.

FEMA's Family Preparedness Program Sets TV Schedule

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Family Preparedness Program isgearing up for the first nationwide broadcast of its new videoconferenceseries to encourage community-wide action. The series, focusing onemergency preparedness and fire prevention, will be introduced through anational EENET (FEMA's Emergency Education Network) broadcast at 1:00 pmEastern Daylight Time, October 11, 1995. A second broadcast is planned forFebruary 22, 1996.

A major purpose of the videoconference series is to highlight exemplarypublic education practices around the country. If you know of such aprogram, send information to: Jennifer Wayman, Ogilvy Adams & Rinehart,1901 L Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036; (202) 452-9420; fax: (202) 296-3727

For more information about the videoconferences themselves, contact:EENET, FEMA, National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg, MD 21727-9985; (301) 447-1226.

Re: Emergency Management Courses in Academia

Back in DR #169 we mentioned that Dr. Wayne Blanchard at FEMA's EmergencyManagement Institute had compiled an annotated list of colleges,universities, and other institutions providing courses in some aspect ofemergency management, and we told you that you could obtain a copy of thelist from Dr. Blanchard at EMI.

Planning for your Dogs and Cats (and Chickens and Pigs): Indiana Plan Provides for Animals After Disasters

[We thought disaster managers in other states might find this ofinterest.]

Indiana recently became the first state to adopt a comprehensive plan forhandling animals after major disasters such as floods and tornadoes,thanks to an Indiana Veterinary Medical Association committee led by aPurdue University veterinarian.

Groups that will sign the agreements to cooperate in a disaster are theState Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Indiana Board of Animal Health,Indiana Veterinary Medical Association, Indiana Association of AnimalControl Personnel, Indiana Veterinary Technicians Association, andaccredited zoos in the state, Cincinnati and Louisville.

"Basically, Indiana now has a model plan for the rest of the country,"said Dr. Sebastian E. Heath, on leave from Purdue's School of VeterinaryMedicine to work out details of the plan and pursue a doctorate fromPurdue. "It's comprehensive because it includes recognition of personnelwho will deal with the animals and their owners, and it also grantsauthority to the appropriate agencies. The basic premise of the plan isthe capture, containment and treatment of injured animals; public-healthissues such as contaminated food and carcasses; and reuniting animals withtheir owners."

"This is not a plan so much for animals but for animal owners," Heathsaid. "The primary responsibility for taking care of animals still resideswith the owner. But the state is prepared to help in a mass disaster."

Heath became involved in animal disaster planning after he and a smallgroup of Purdue veterinary students helped treat some of the estimated 150injured horses in southern Florida after Hurricane Andrew. "That was whenI first realized the intensity of disasters," he said, recalling howinjured horses ran loose for days after the hurricane hit. "Florida had nocoordinated response, which is why things were so chaotic afterwards."

In the event of a disaster in which animals are affected, SEMA willoversee all relief efforts after the governor declares an emergency. Thestate veterinarian will appoint a staff veterinarian as liaison betweenthat office and SEMA. The staff veterinarian will work closely with anemergency field veterinarian appointed by the Indiana Veterinary MedicalAssociation. The field veterinarian will oversee all veterinary medicalpersonnel, who will deal with domestic animals. Indiana Association ofAnimal Control personnel will rescue, capture, house and maintain domesticlivestock, poultry and companion animals. Veterinarians will treat theanimals, assisted by members of the Indiana Veterinary TechniciansAssociation. Captive wildlife, whether from zoos or owned privately byindividuals, will fall under the care of personnel from accredited zoos.Native wildlife will be handled by the Indiana Department of NaturalResources. As part of the plan, local and state animal-control agencieswill make every effort to reunite lost and injured animals with theirowners.

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians who would like to be part of theresponse team must complete an independent study guide from the FederalEmergency Management Agency.

Addition/Correction to DR #170

FEMA Announces New Independent Study Course

FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) recently announced a newindependent study course: "IS-8, Building for the Earthquakes of Tomorrow:Complying with Executive Order 12699."

Executive Order 12699 requires that all federally owned, leased, orfinanced new buildings comply with strict earthquake building design asset forth in the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP)Recommended Building Provisions. This course is a nontechnical discussionof earthquakes, building design, and the requirements for implementing theexecutive order. The course is intended for any local officials concernedwith these issues. For further information, contact EMI's independentstudy coordinator: Barbara Rayfield, FEMA, EMI, Emmitsburg, MD 21727;(301) 447-1170.

A Quick Note from FEMA on Publications and PSAs: Offering Public Survival Tips

FEMA and the American Red Cross have issued a new four-page informationsheet, "Food and Water in an Emergency." Written in a newsletter format,the publication covers such topics as how to store and purify water,hidden water sources in the home, and how to cook if the power goes off.Copies are available from local Red Cross chapters or local emergencyplanning offices.

FEMA also has produced an Emergency Public Information Library for radioand television stations. It consists of English and Spanish public serviceannouncements on preparedness for and response to a variety of naturaldisasters. They are available through the FEMA Office of EmergencyInformation and Public Affairs: eipa@fema.gov - or contact: Dave Martin,(202) 646-4600.

EERI Announces 1996 Professional Fellowship Competition

Under a cooperative agreement with FEMA, the Earthquake EngineeringResearch Institute (EERI) is offering its 1996 Professional Fellowship inEarthquake Hazard Reduction. The fellowship provides an opportunity for apracticing professional to gain greater skills and broader expertise inearthquake hazards reduction, either by enhancing knowledge in theapplicant's field, or by broadening his or her knowledge in a newdiscipline. The fellowship is aimed at career professionals and isdesigned to bring together an experienced practitioner with professionalsconducting significant research, providing an opportunity to enrich theapplicant's knowledge and skills and broaden the research base withchallenges faced in practice. The fellowship provides a stipend of$30,000, beginning January 1996, to cover tuition, fees, relocation, andliving expenses for six months. Applicants must provide a detailed workplan for a research project that would be carried out in this period. Thefellow will be expected to produce a written report upon completion of theproject. To obtain an application form, contact: EERI, 499 14th Street,Suite 320, Oakland, CA 94612-1934; (510) 451-0905; fax; (510) 451-5411.

Meetings and Training