Disaster Research 181

Seeking Information on Hurricane Loss Estimation

I am a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University. For my research, I amtrying to find information regarding hurricanes. Specifically . . .

1. Is there any attempt to create a "standardized" loss estimation methodology for hurricanes similar to what NIBS is trying to do with earthquakes?
2. I know there are various models to predict hurricane tracks, wind speeds, etc. Are of any of these models available publicly (e.g. from Web sites, ftp sites, organizations, etc.)?
3. Are there (publicly accessible) data sources for structural physical damage and economic loss resulting from hurricanes?

Seeking Information About Storm Shelters

I have a question about storm shelter requirements. Are there anycounties, parishes, states, provinces, etc. that have an ordinance orstatutory requirements for owners/municipalities to provide on-site severestorm shelters to very vulnerable residents? I'm thinking of mobile homeparks in particular. Also, do you have any funding mechanisms (nonfederalaid) for the construction of shelters in the case they are not requiredbut are strongly encouraged?

Seeking Information on Human Perception of Natural Hazards

Hello! I am masters student at the University of North Carolina-ChapelHill. I am looking for information about peoples' perceptions of naturalhazards, particularly the peoples outside of the United States. Forexample: the people of the Kaghan Valley, Pakistan Himalaya, look forwardto the fuelwood which is brought down by avalanches. If you can help meout, I'd greatly appreciate any tidbits of info.

A Request from Japan for Information on Effective Emergency Communications Networks

Dear Sirs:
I would appreciate it very much if I may have the chance to introducemyself and ask for your advice on modes of emergency communicationnetwork.

My name is Junichiro Kinoshita and I am an assistant professor at theHyogo University. Since the Hyogo Earthquake in January this year, we aresearching for what is the best information communication network/infrastructure in emergency situations. The magnitude and effect of theHyogo Earthquake was far beyond the scope of the existing local disasterprevention plan.

The local government buildings itself were so badly damaged that itrendered the disaster radio network useless. This was a major impedimentto the prompt reaction of the government to the earthquake. We are now insearch of a emergency communication network which we can rely upon duringthe first few days after the strike of a disaster. Here, we need both (1)an intra-government communication network to collect and disseminatenecessary information so as to enable prompt recovery activities and (2) acommunication network for the provision of essential information in termsof casualties, damage and livelihood to local residents.

In the case of the Kobe earthquake, the television and radio networkserved to provide livelihood/casualty information to residents. However,the burden was far too heavy for commercial (profit-oriented) televisionnetworks.

Do you know of any communications networks which can serve as models forthe two types of communication networks above? I would appreciate anyadvice on this topic.

Thank you very much for your attention to this matter.

PAHO's Home Page

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) now has a page on the Web

The EERC Page (with Lots of Photos)

The Earthquake Engineering Research Center at the University ofCalifornia, Berkeley has a nice new home page on the Web

AEMI's Page and INFOrecent

The Australian Emergency Management Institute (AEMI) also has a home page

A Web Document from Canada

The Environmental Adaptation Research Group (EARG) of Environment Canadais pleased to present the proceedings of the workshop "Improving Responsesto Atmospheric Extremes: The Role of Insurance and Compensation" which washeld in Toronto October 3 and 4, 1994. The URL is:

Cal State Chico Offers Certificate in Emergency Medical Service Administration

California State University, Chico will begin its new Certificate inEmergency Medical Services Administration this spring. The programincludes eight courses (24 units) and can be taken as a certificate or aspart of the major in health services administration. Two courses("Administration of EMS Organizations" and "EMS System Planning") can betaken separately, as well.

This program is being offered at CSU, Chico, and through distancelearning. It will be available at several campuses in California (using atwo-way video fiberoptic network). For students outside of California, itwill available using a combination of videotape, audio conferences, and e-mail/world wide web. Additional information is available at:

The New Canadian Safe Guard Program and Web Site

SAFE GUARD is a Canadian national public recognition program aimed atincreasing public awareness of emergency preparedness in Canada andimproving the links among the various partners - public, private, andvoluntary - involved in emergency management.

Through this program, government, private, and voluntary organizationsthat are part of the emergency planning, response, and recovery communityare invited to identify themselves as SAFE GUARD partners in carrying outtheir emergency response functions - particularly communications andpublic awareness activities.

As a public recognition focus for the emergency preparedness community,the SAFE GUARD label visually highlights common goals and objectives andpromotes co-operation among partner organizations.

The SAFE GUARD Secretariat will be housed during the initial phase of theprogram in Emergency Preparedness Canada's Communications Directorate.

AAAS Science and Engineering Fellowships

[Note: In the past these fellowships have been awarded for hazards/disaster-related work - ed.]

The American Association for the Advancement of Science invitesapplications for one-year public policy fellowships, which bringscientists and engineers to Washington, D.C., to work in Congress, theU.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development,the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the RAND CriticalTechnologies Institute. Additional fellowships at EPA are for 10 weeks inthe summer.

Applicants should be postdoctoral to midcareer scientists and engineers,from any physical, biological, or social science or any field ofengineering. The programs are designed to provide each fellow with aunique public policy learning experience and to make practicalcontributions to the more effective use of scientific and technicalknowledge in the U.S. government. Stipends vary by program. Deadline forreceipt of applications is January 15, 1996.

PC Freeware Available for Government and Nonprofit Service Organization Disaster Managers

The Emergency Management System (EMS) is designed to automate the typicaldisaster manager's notebook. Point-and-click operation makes the EMS easyto use - only minimal computer experience is required to quickly become anefficient user. Response procedures for up to 12 different types ofdisasters can be stored in the database. Example procedures are prestoredfor 10 types of disasters. Checklist features enable the user to keeptrack of procedures completed with automatic date/time stamping. An eventlog feature is included to enable the disaster manager to maintain up to10 different logs simultaneously. Information libraries with keywordsearch (49 each) and map/schematic/diagram storage capability (56 each)are also included along with disaster-dependent personnel contact lists.An editor is included to enable the user to easily customize his or herown procedures and databases. Additional features include procedures/logprint capability, help screens for every program screen, and the abilityto load a word processor of choice to increase data storage/accesscapability. The software operates with Windows for Workgroups and Windows3.1 PC operating systems. A detailed user's guide is provided.

The MCI Command and Control Listserv

Multiple casualty incidents (MCIs) seem to creep up at us at the worstpossible times. CNN has brought catastrophic MCIs into our homes and fromwhat I often see, MCI command and control desires improvement . . .nationally. Little discussion on this topic exists on the EMS, fire, andemergency management newsgroups and listservs. In response to the need tofurther the sharing of information on MCIs and Incident Command, alistserv dedicated to MCI command, control, and leadership was created bythe mediccom BBS folks a couple months ago . . . thanks to our colleagueChurton Budd. Since this topic is near and dear to my heart, and since therecent Arizona Amtrack disaster and Illinois school bus/rail disaster arefresh in our minds, I offer the listserv address below for yourconvenience. So join the list and share your experiences and lessonslearned. To subscribe send a message to:

listserv@mediccom.norden1.com

In the body of the text write: subscribe mci-talk [your e-mail address]

Conferences, Training, Etc.

These are the latest announcements we've received regarding upcomingmeetings. Most previous issues of DR contain additional notices.Alternatively, our World Wide Web page: