Return to Index of Disaster Research Newsletters
I am a student of civil engineering at the University of Karlsruhe in Germany and my last task to get the diploma is to make a collection of the procedures of searching and rescuing groups in other countries and conduct a statistical evaluation. The university has got a research project from the German federal civil defence organisation "THW" (Technical Help service) with the main theme: "Methods of rescuing trapped persons from destroyed buildings."
The aim of the project is to improve the effectiveness and the application of the "THW" and to get new information to update knowledge and equipment. In recent years the ways buildings are damaged have changed, and as such the possibilities for rescue have changed as well. However, the education of SAR-teams and handbooks are still being based on experiences in rescue operations after earthquake catastrophes in the 70's and 80's in different countries, where the THW together with other foreign SAR task forces tried to mitigate the results of the disaster.
I am seeking the addresses of fire brigades and civil defense groups involved in SAR operations. With a questionnaire which I am translating into English at the moment I would ask them then about the course of their operations and evaluate the answers statistically. I need all kinds of information about operations where buildings were damaged.
The principle problem for me is to get addresses from special operations in single buildings (I have information from large operations, such as those conducted by FEMA) - e.g. which SAR task force or which fire trucks/fire departments were operating at the site and who rescued trapped persons, etc.
I am interested in all kinds of operations where buildings of any kind suffered damage from any source.
Perhaps such incidents have happened in your surrounding area in the last few years and you have addresses of the helping organizations. Or you could send me addresses from large fire departments in your vicinity. This would help me further.
Best regards and lots of thanks in advance!
Friedrich Zieger
Albert - Schweitzer Strasse 13
D-76689 Karlsdorf, Germany
E-mail: F Zieger@aol.com
Fax: ++49 - 7251 / 40199
The Emergency Information Infrastructure Partnership (EIIP) is wrapping up an active 1997 that saw the launch of a completely redesigned Web site - the EIIP Virtual Forum (http://www.emforum.org) - combined with real-time, interactive "live chats," newsgroups, and mailing lists - to promote discussion of emergency management/disaster response issues across government, business, academia, and volunteer/nongovernmental organizations.
The final panel discussion of 1997 took place December 17, with a distinguished group discussing the role of private insurers during the recovery phase of a disaster. Edited and unedited versions of all past panel dialogues are available from the EIIP Virtual Forum web site.
To start off the new year, the EIIP will host individual presentations in addition to continuing panel discussions. The first quarter of 1998 will be devoted to discussions focusing on the mitigation phase of disaster, with the first panel discussion addressing FEMA's Project Impact. A posted schedule of events may be found on the Virtual Forum home page, or individuals may send an e-mail to list-request@emforum.org with the message subscribe eiip@emforum.org to receive e-mail notices.
Events planned for January '98 include:
1/07/98 - Virtual Library - A special presentation by EIIP participating partner, Robert Scott of Intergraph Federal Public Safety, who will discuss his paper, "GIS In Emergency Management: Crisis Response into Intelligent Planning."
1/14/98 - Virtual Classroom - Dennis Hickethier of FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) will share recent experience with distance learning via the Internet. An instructor and a student will also contribute their perspectives.
1/21/98 - January Panel Discussion - Our first panel discussion of 1998 will provide an opportunity to learn more about FEMA's new initiatives: Project Impact and Disaster Resistant Communities.
1/28/98 - Technology Arena - Michelle Hoopes of DSR, Inc. will present a vision for an emergency management network being developed by the private sector, which includes the Automated Reimbursement System, NEON, and other features to come.
For further information about the EIIP Virtual Forum and EIIP Partnership, contact Avagene Moore, CEM, EIIP Coordinator at amoore@emforum.org.
[Adapted from the December Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) Newsletter]
The U.S. Geological Survey has announced several new products related to the USGS national seismic hazard maps. Many new features have been added to the maps' Internet Web site: http://geohazards.cr.usgs.gov/eq. For example, users can now look up the seismic hazard in any part of the continental U.S. by zip code, and the Survey has added a custom mapping feature, through which the user can specify latitude and longitude bounds and produce customized hazard maps of the selected area. Additionally, large versions (24"x36") of the national and western U.S. seismic hazard maps can be ordered using forms available from the Web site.
[Also adapted from the EERI Newsletter]
Although the process of updating the 1994 "NEHRP [National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program] Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings" into a 1997 version is just finishing, the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC), with support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is already initiating the 2000 update. Some of the major new tasks include:
The provisions update process relies heavily on volunteers, while FEMA supports the effort by funding travel costs of volunteer committee members and BSSC staff activities. The effort is guided by a Project Update Committee (PUC), which oversees the work of about a dozen technical subcommittees. Members for all committees are currently being sought. Interested persons should contact BSSC, 1201 L Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 289-7800; fax: (202) 289- 1092; WWW: http://www.nibs.org/bssc1.htm.
http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov
http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/epci/epci.html
The National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) Web site offers
general information about the center, access to its products and
services, current quake information, general quake information, and
access to other earthquake information sources. In addition, users can
now search the National Earthquake Information Services (NEIS)
historical data base at the second URL above. Users can search a given
geographical area for a range of earthquakes using several, user-
defined parameters (such as magnitude, dates of occurrence, etc.). The
database includes earthquakes occurring from 2100 B.C. to the present.
http://vflylab.calstatela.edu/edesktop/VirtApps/VirtualEarthQuake/VQuakeIntro.html
This nifty "Virtual Earthquake" site was created by California
State University, Los Angeles, students as part of an electronic
desktop project. This simulation allows students and other
seismologist wannabes to use seismic date to calculate the epicenter
and magnitude of an imaginary earthquake. Students can choose from
four geographic areas for their simulation. Virtual Earthquake
carefully guides the student through the calculations and then shows
the actual epicenter and magnitude.
http://www2.nas.edu/wstb
The site of the National Research Council's Water Science and
Technology Board (WSTB) provides the mission statement of the board,
information about current and past projects - many of which deal with
flooding and other water-related hazards, and on-line reports and
other publications. The site also includes the WSTB Newsletter, with
current project updates and contact information.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) invites fiscal 1999 applications to research earthquake hazards prediction; provide earth science data and information essential to determine seismic hazards in the U.S.; and gather information needed to mitigate earthquake damage. The application deadline is April 1; the USGS expects to publish the full solicitation February 2.
The Survey has $8 million available for up to 125 awards. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $75,000, and average $55,000. The project period is one year, though some grants may be renewed for a second year. Education institutions, private firms, private foundations, individuals, and state and local government agencies are eligible. For more information, contact John Sims, Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Mailstop 905, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192; (703) 648-6722.
The full announcement will be available on-line at http://www.usgs.gov/contracts/nehrp; refer to 1434-HQ-99-PA-00061.
The new Mid-America Earthquake (MAE) Center [see DR#236], housed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was created to identify and evaluate possible seismic hazards and develop loss reduction strategies for the built environment, including essential facilities and transportation networks. The center will especially examine problems associated with less-frequent events - particularly those occurring in the eastern and central U.S.
The center is currently seeking a full-time deputy director to assist in the administration of the center's research, implementation, education, outreach, and industry collaboration programs. The deputy director will manage the daily operations of the center, represent the center in the absence of the director, advise the director regarding center issues, be responsible for routine monitoring of center programs and interaction with industry and the public. Necessary qualifications include an advanced degree in earthquake engineering or a related discipline. Applications are due January 23, 1998. Interested persons should send a letter of application, a resume, and the names/addresses of three reference to Professor David Daniel, Civil Engineering Department, 1114 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, 205 North Mathews, Urbana IL 61801; (217) 333-3814.
[Taken from "Weatherzine" - the Web and e-mail newsletter produced by the Environmental and Societal Impacts Group of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The Web version is available at: http://www.ucar.edu/esig/socasp/zine/]
The U.S. Congress, under the guidance of Representative Vern Ehlers (R-MI), has embarked on a review of U.S. science policy. The goal of the study was described by the Chairman of the House Science Committee, Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R-WI) on October 23rd: "The commission which Speaker Gingrich and I have jointly given Vern Ehlers is simply stated, but daunting: to develop a new, sensible, coherent long-range science and technology policy, including a review of our nation's science and math education programs."
The Science Policy Study has set up a Web page http://www.house.gov/science/science_policy_study.htm and the study group is asking for input from the scientific community and beyond. In addition, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has launched an electronic discussion - http://www.sciencemag.org/feature/data/aaasforum.shl - to take place over the next eight weeks, the results of which will inform the AAAS' contribution to the Ehlers Science Policy Study. These are great opportunities to join the debate about the future of U.S. science policy.
The Journal of the American Society of Professional Emergency Planners has issued a call for papers for the 1998 edition. Papers are due July 31, 1998. The journal will be released in November at the annual conference of the National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management in Norfolk, Virginia. For details see: http://www.globalserve.net/~tmheath/; or contact: Thomas M. Heath, Gamewell Emergency Management Services, 1235 Lambeth Road, Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6H 2E2; (905) 844-6597; fax: (905) 849-9715; e-mail: tmheath@globalserve.net
The latest edition of the electronic journal, the "Australasian Journal of Disaster and Trauma Studies" has just been published and can be located at http://www.massey.ac.nz/~trauma/.
The journal is actively seeking contributions of manuscripts. Guidelines for the preparation of manuscripts can be found on the above Web pages. Authors interested in submitting should send their manuscripts to the editor, Dr. Douglas Paton, at D.Paton@massey.ac.nz.
The University of Richmond's Emergency Services Management degree program is offering three courses for its spring semester, starting 12 January: ESM 300U - Introduction to Emergency Services Management; ESM 304U - Current Issues in Emergency Services Management; and PBRL 331U - Introduction to Public Relations. The University of Richmond offers options for a 30-semester-hour Certificate, an Associate in Applied Studies, or a Bachelor of Applied Studies in Emergency Services Management. For more information, contact the School of Continuing Studies, University of Richmond, VA 23173, or call (804) 289-8133.
Below are recent conference announcements received by the Natural Hazards Center. A comprehensive list of upcoming disaster-related meetings and training is available from our World Wide Web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/conf.html
Incident Command System Training. Offered by: Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: January 19-23, 1998. Contact: Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness, P.O. Box 2911, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3R5; 1-800-965-4608.
Critical Incident Stress Management - A 2-day Basic CISD Certificate Workshop. Offered by: International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness, and BGF Enterprises. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: January 30-31, 1998. Contact: Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness, P.O. Box 2911, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8N 3R5; 1-800-965-4608.
International Symposium on Information Technology Tools for Natural Disaster Risk Management. Sponsors: International Center for Disaster- Mitigation Engineering (INCEDE) and the United Nations University. Bangkok, Thailand: February 4-6, 1998. Abstracts due December 20, 1997. Contact: Prof. Srikantha Herath, ISITT for NDRM, INCEDE, Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, 7-22-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106, Japan; tel: (+81-3) 3402-6231 ext. 2661-3; fax: (+81-3) 3402-4165: e-mail: herath@incede.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp; WWW: http://incede.iis.u-tokyo.ac.jp/symposium98.html.
Gulf Coast Regional Climate Change Workshop. Sponsors: Southern University and A&M College, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and others. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: February 25-27, 1997. Contact: Dr. Zhu Hua Ning or Dr. Kamran K. Abdollahi, Workshop Coordinators, P.O. Box 11686, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA 70813; (504) 771-3286 or 6291; fax: (504) 771-6293; e-mail: LMTK99A@prodigy.com, or KABDO@prodigy.net.
Flood Loads and Floodproofing/Retrofitting Residential and Non- Residential Buildings. Sponsor: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Chicago, Illinois: March 9-11, 1998. Contact: ASCE Continuing Education; 1-800-548-2723; WWW: http://www.asce.org.
First Pan American Congress of Emergency and Disaster Medicine: "Developing Strategies to Mitigate the Health Effects of Disasters in the Americas." Sponsors: World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM) and the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research of the University of Pittsburgh, in partnership with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica, and others. San Jose, Costa Rica: March 2-6, 1998. Deadline for abstracts: January 31, 1998. In the U.S, contact: Dr. Ernesto A. Pretto, Associate Director, Safar Center for Resuscitation Research, University of Pittsburgh; (412) 383-1960; fax: (412) 624-0943; e-mail: pretto@smtp.anes.upmc.edu. In Costa Rica: Dr. Daniel Rodriguez Guerrero, General Coordinator, Colegio de Medicos y Cirujanos de Costa Rica, P.O. Box 548-1000, San Jose, Costa Rica; tel: 506-232-3433; fax: 506-231-2084; e-mail: medicos@sol.racsa.co.cr.
16th Annual EMS Today Conference and Exposition. Offered by: Jems Communications. Baltimore, Maryland: March 11-14, 1998. Contact: Jems Communications, P.O. Box 2789 Carlsbad, CA 92018-2789; 1-800-266-5367; fax: (760) 431-8135; WWW: http://www.jems.com.
Survive! European Spring Conference. Sponsor: Survive! Business Continuity Group. Brussels, Belgium: March 24-25, 1998. Contact: Survive! Business Continuity Group, The Chapel, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Fitzhugh Grove, London SW18 3SX, U.K.; tel: +44 181 874 6266; fax: +44 181 874 6446; e-mail: surviveuk@cityscape.co.uk; WWW: http://www.survive.com
14th International Meeting on Prevention, Preparedness, and Response to Hazardous Material Spills: "Risk Management: Closing the Loop." Sponsor: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Chicago, Illinois: April 5-9. 1998. See: WWW: http://www.nrt.org/nrt/hazmat98.nsf, or http://www.epa.gov/ceppo/pubs/postcard.html; or e-mail: hazmat98@icfkaiser.com.
15th International Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference. Sponsor: International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Towson, Maryland: June 4-7, 1998. Contact: IAFC Professional Development Department, 4025 Fair Ridge Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033-2868; fax: (703) 273-9363.
1998 Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) Annual Conference. Las Vegas, Nevada: October 11-14, 1998. Abstracts due March 6, 1998. Contact: ASDSO, 450 Old Vine Street, Second Floor, Lexington, KY 40507; (606) 257-5140; fax: (606) 323-1958; e-mail: damsafety@aol.com.
Twelfth World Conference on Earthquake Engineering. Sponsor: New Zealand Earthquake Commission and others. Auckland, New Zealand: January 30-February 4, 2000. Contact: 12WCEE Organizing Committee, Michael Brice, Adminstrative Secretary, New Zealand National Society for Earthquake Engineering, P.O. Box 312, Waikanae, New Zealand; tel/fax: 64-4-293-3059; e-mail: 12wcee@cmsl.co.nz; WWW: http://www.cmsl.co.nz/12wcee; also see http://www.eeri.org/Meeting s/12WCEE.html.
Return to Index of Disaster Research Newsletters
Return to Hazards Center Home Page
hazctr@colorado.edu