DISASTER RESEARCH 254

April 22, 1998

Seeking Flood Recovery Information
Seeking Assistance with Risk Assessments for Biological Incidents
Seeking Information on What to Plant
(to Soak Up Water and Mitigate Flooding)
Seeking Sample Emergency Plans for Newspaper Company
Seeking Information on Hospital Earthquake Preparedness
FEMA Issues Call for Program Case Studies on Disaster Education
FEMA Changes Appeals Procedures
Seeking Nominations for the 1998 Dubai International Award for
Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment
Upcoming EIIP Round Table Discussions
Conferences and Training

1)----------
For Poland . . .
Seeking Flood Recovery Information

In response to the massive floods that devastated southern Poland last summer, the Urban Institute, with funding from USAID/OFDA, has launched a flood recovery project for the region. One of the issues they are addressing is the coordination and dissemination of flood recovery information to flood victims. There are numerous nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), as well as a national ministry established specifically to deal with the floods, each of which provides various services and aid. However, it is clearly difficult for victims (individuals, businesses, and local government) to obtain comprehensive, organized, timely information about these various programs.

As part of its work, the Urban Institute has launched an effort to develop an information/database system to address this need. The process began with an organizational workshop in early April in which NGOs and public officials defined the problem and began mapping a solution in broad terms. Now the institute and a working group of the original workshop are developing a more concrete design. Among other things, they envision an approach that would designate one NGO as an information clearinghouse, using an "800" number and other means through which victims could contact that NGO for comprehensive recovery information. However, other possibilities remain open.

The institute is currently seeking any information that DR readers might have regarding similar efforts - or regarding flood recovery materials generally. Specifically they seek technical assistance in the form of easily accessible Internet/Web resources, printed materials, names of organizations, and individuals that might be helpful. Examples of flood recovery information that has been used in the past would be useful, as would more general information about response and recovery operations and programs - particularly in regard to the dissemination of information.

Anyone having such information should contact Maris Mikelsons, Urban Institute, Gmina Assistance and Reconstruction Program, ul. Koszykowa 60/62 m.43, 00-673 Warsaw, Poland; e-mail: garpui@aol.com; fax: (0-22) 628-2527.

(Note: Please copy any replies to your DR editor: David Butler, e-mail: butler@colorado.edu.)

2)----------
Seeking Assistance with Risk Assessments for Biological Incidents

We are looking for ideas and help in developing a survey about biological incidents. Our agency was asked to conduct a survey of the perceived risk of a biological incident in the state of Wyoming and the capabilities within our state to respond to a biological incident. We are interested in a nonmilitary approach, dealing with the general population and the industries and businesses found in a rural area. We are particularly interested in biological incidents that are the result of industrial accidents rather than deliberate releases as a terrorist act.

We would appreciate any information from people who have conducted such surveys including:

- Suggested questions - Problems and pitfalls to avoid - Individuals or organizations with experience in this area - Groups and organizations to include in the survey - Groups and organizations to include in the development, conduct, and analysis of the survey.

Thank you for your assistance,

John M. Heller
Wyoming Emergency Management Agency
5500 Bishop Blvd.
Cheyenne, WY 82009-3320

E-mail: hellerj@wy-iso.army.mil

3)---------- Seeking Information on What to Plant (to Soak Up Water and Mitigate Flooding)

We have a huge new warehousing development occurring in our county that will exacerbate a stormwater control system that is already inadequate. The increase in impervious surface will be huge - 20 million feet of roof and three times that for access roads, aprons, etc. This is flat bottomland with a high water table - 3000 acres. I need documentation on the comparative ability of native prairie grasses to absorb water as opposed to cool weather grasses, meadow grasses, or asphalt. My idea being to suggest to our developers that the areas between the proposed holding ponds would be maintained in prairie as the most effective buffer to releasing huge volumes of water to downstream ditches.Any help, references, or direction would be appreciated.

Richard Worthen
Stormwater Coordinator
Metro East Regional Stormwater Committee
1801 Madison Avenue
Granite City, IL 62040

(618) 452-7832
E-mail: rworthen@piasanet.com

4)---------- Seeking Sample Emergency Plans for Newspaper Company

The plan I will be putting together will be for a daily newspaper publishing company. We're not only looking for information on plans on how you deal with computers in a disaster, but how we continue to operate when employees are unable to get to work, due to disaster. I'm looking for sample plans that cover all the bases.

Thanks,
Steve
STerry@sacbee.com

5)---------- Seeking Information on Hospital Earthquake Preparedness

I am working in the public education department in IIEES, and for my current research, I need some information regarding preparation for and safe operation during earthquakes for hospitals or clinical centers. I will appreciate any information you can provide me.

Best regards,
Maryam Rafiei
Public Educational Department
E-mail: sun@dena.iiees.ac.ir

6)---------- FEMA Issues Call for Program Case Studies on Disaster Education

To meet the growing needs of disaster educators nationwide, FEMA's Community & Family Preparedness (CFP) Program is expanding its "Good Ideas Book" to include additional information and case studies on the most effective approaches to disaster education. By drawing upon the experiences of disaster educators in the field, the CFP Program seeks to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on how to organize and run an effective disaster education program.

Your "good ideas" can help others make a real difference in disaster education. Information is requested on such topics as:

How to organize community, neighborhood, workplace, and school-based programs,
How to build effective partnerships and leverage financial resources, and
How to reach persons with disabilities, children, and other special audiences.

Once the ideas and case studies are collected, FEMA plans to expand its Good Ideas Book and distribute the information to disaster educators as quickly as possible. If you know about any unique partnerships, volunteer projects, or innovative approaches to disaster education, please e-mail a short summary to Ralph.Swisher@fema.gov or call Ralph Swisher, FEMA CFP Program Manager, (202) 646-3561.

7)---------- FEMA Changes Appeals Procedures

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced a final rule that changes the procedure for the review and disposition of appeals related to Public Assistance grants or related to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The rule reduces from three to two the number of appeals allowed and thus will allow faster final determination of decisions on appeal. This rule is effective May 8, 1998. For further information contact Robert F. Shea, Mitigation Directorate, FEMA, 500 C Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3619; fax: (202) 646-3104, about HMGP appeals; or Melissa M. Howard, Response and Recovery Directorate, FEMA, 500 C Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3053; fax: (202) 646-3304, about Public Assistance appeals.

8)---------- Seeking Nominations for the 1998 Dubai International Award for Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment

For 1998, Dubai Municipality is sponsoring ten awards, each consisting of a US$30,000 cash prize, a trophy, and a commemorative certificate for "Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment" - outstanding and sustainable achievements in improving the quality of life in a rapidly urbanizing and changing world. In addition, two representa-tives of each award-winning practice will be invited to Dubai for the award ceremony and to participate in an international seminar on "Lessons Learned from Best Practices."

One of the submission categories is "natural and human-made disasters."

Submissions must be received by 30 April 1998. All those meeting the criteria of impact, partnerships, and sustainability will be included in the updated version of the Best Practices database, which will be released on the Internet http://www.bestpractices.org, on CD-ROM, and on disk for the global celebrations for World Habitat Day on 5 October 1998.

Detailed information on the Dubai International Award, including nomination criteria and details on how to obtain the submission guidelines and nomination diskettes are available from:

Guenther Gross
Best Practices and Local Leadership Programme
UNCHS (Habitat)
P.O. Box 30030
Nairobi
Kenya

Tel: 254 2 623224; fax: 254 2 623080
E-Mail: Guenther.Gross@unchs.org -or- bestpractices@unchs.org
WWW: http://www.bestpractices.org/bp98 -or- http://www.unhabitat.org/blp (guidelines only)

9)---------- Upcoming EIIP Round Table Discussions

EIIP Internet Round Table discussions on emergency management are varied, revealing, and sometimes controversial, involving a broad spectrum of participants. Please see the EIIP Virtual Library Archives for transcripts of any subjects of interest (http://www.emforum.org/vlibrary/livechat.htm). Upcoming Round Tables include:

Thursday, April 23, 8:00 p.m. EDT: "How to Get Your CEM [Certified Emergency Manager]", Host - Steve Charvat, Chair, CEM Commission, IAEM Immediate Past President.

Thursday, April 30, 8:00 p.m. EDT: "The NFPA 1600" - Randy Duncan, IAEM President, and others.

To join the discussion, login to: http://www.emforum.org/vforum/formchat.htm

10)---------- Conferences and Training

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

Disaster Recovery: Maximizing Federal Aid. A two-day seminar presented by Management Concepts, Inc., Vienna Virginia. Remaining seminar dates and locations:

April 27-28, 1998 Tampa, FL
May 6-7, 1998 San Diego, CA
May 11-12, 1998 Houston, TX
May 14-15, 1998 Jacksonville, FL
May 18-19, 1998 Baltimore, MD

Register by calling (703)790-9595 or on-line http://www.mgmtconcepts.com/catalog/catalog.html. Course instructor is Bob Cates, Disaster Recovery Control Systems, Inc.; (803) 790-7711; fax: (803) 787-7696; e-mail drcs@colum.mindspring.com.

Partners in Response '98 - Community Emergency Response and Preparedness Exposition. London, Ontario, Canada: May 8-9, 1998. See: http://www.execulink.com/partners. Organizations interested in providing related vehicles or displays should contact Dave Colvin, Event Coordinator, Emergency Planning Coordinator, University of Western Ontario, Services Building, Room 120, London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5B9; e-mail: ppddgc@julian.uwo.ca; WWW: http://www.uwo.ca/emerg/.

Fire Forum/Fire Prevention Workshop: "Fire in our Changing World." St. George, Utah: May 11-13, 1998. Contact: Dale Jablonski, (435) 781-5463.

Association of Public Safety Communications Officials East Coast Regional Conference. Virginia Beach, Virginia: May 17-20, 1998. Contact: Terri Walker, (757) 441-5600.

Survive '98 - Australian Annual Conference and Exhibition. Offered by Survive! Business Continuity Group. Brighton-le-Sands, New South Wales, Australia: May 25-26, 1998. Contact: Survive! Secretariat, The Chapel, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Fitzhugh Grove, London SW18 3SX, U.K.; tel: 0181-874 6266; fax: 0181-874 6446; e-mail: surviveuk@cityscape.co.uk; WWW: http://www.survive.com.

The ABC of Business Continuity Planning. Offered by Survive! Business Continuity Group.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: May 27-29 1998
Seattle, Washington: July 29-31, 1998
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: September 23-25, 1998

Contact: Survive! Secretariat, The Chapel, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Fitzhugh Grove, London SW18 3SX, U.K.; tel: 0181-874 6266; fax: 0181-874 6446; e-mail: surviveuk@cityscape.co.uk; WWW: http://www.survive.com.

Insurance Advisory Council, International Quality and Productivity Center Sixth International Forum: "Funding Catastrophe Protection." Hamilton, Bermuda: June 17-19, 1998. Contact: Shirely Poremba, International Quality and Productivity Center, 150 Close Road, P.O. Box 401, Little Falls, NJ 07424-0401; 1-800-882-8684, ext. 5183, (973) 812-5183; fax: (973) 256-0205; e-mail: info@iqpc.com; WWW: http://www.iqpc.com.

International Conference on Modeling Geographical and Environmental Systems with Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Includes sessions on natural hazards. Organizers: Department of Geography, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and others. Hong Kong: June 22-25, 1998. Contact: Conference Secretariat, Department of Geography, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong; tel: 852 2609 6644; fax: 852 2603 5174; e-mail: geo-conf@cuhk.edu.hk; WWW: http://www.geo.cuhk.edu.hk/geo-conf.

First South American Seminar and Fifth Technical Joint Meeting FUPEF/SIF/IPEF on Forest Fire Control. Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: June 29-July 2, 1998. Contact: Ronaldo Viana Soares, School of Forestry, Rua Bom Jesus 650 - 80035-010 Curitiba, PR - Brazil; tel: +55.41.232.9084; fax; +55.41.253.2332; e-mail: rvsoares@cce.ufpr.br.

Critical Incident Stress Management Workshops. Offered by: International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF). Denver, Colorado: July 9-12, 1998. Contact: ICISF, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Unit 201, Ellicott City, MD 21042; (410) 750-9600; fax: (410) 750-9601.

1998 Association of Contingency Planners International Symposium. Breckenridge, Colorado: August 24-26, 1998. Workshops and topics include: Emergency Planning, Planning and Recovery Issues, Voice and Telecommunications, Business Continuity, Security and Building Issues, Mainframe/Client Server Recovery, Risk Assessment, and Natural Hazards. Contact: Linda Haag, 1998 ACP Symposium, P.O. Box 3943, Englewood, CO 80155-3943; (303) 768-4369; fax: (303) 768-3191; WWW: http://www.acp-crmc-colorado.com.

Fire-Rescue International '98. Sponsor: International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Louisville, Kentucky: September 12-15, 1998. Contact: IAFC, 4025 Fair Ridge Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033-2868; (703) 273-0911; fax: (703) 273-9363; e-mail: prodevelopment@iafc.org; WWW: http://www.iafc.org.

Tsunami 1998 Hazard Mitigation Symposium (in conjunction with the Western States Seismic Policy Council [WSSPC] Annual Conference). Pasadena, California: September 14-15, 1998. Contact: WWSPC, 121 Second Street, Fourth Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105; (415) 974-6435; fax: (415) 974-1747; e-mail: wsspc@wsspc.org; WWW: http://www.wsspc.org.

Second International Conference on Earthquake Hazard and Seismic Risk Reduction. Yerevan, Armenia: September 14-21, 1998. Contact: National Survey for Seismic Protection of the Republic of Armenia, Davidashen-Massiv 4, 375054 Yerevan, Republic of Armenia; tel: 374 (2) 28-28-11, or 374 (2) 28-68-13; fax: 374 (2) 15-11-08 (AT&T), or 374 (2) 28-68-13; e-mail: presidnt@nssp.yerphi.am -or- office@nssp.yerphy.am.

DMIT'98 - International Conference on Information Technology and Disaster Management. Sponsors: University College London and others. London, England: September 21-24, 1998. The organizers have issued a call for papers; intention to submit should be indicated immediately; extended abstracts are due June 1, 1998. Contact: Soren-Aksel Sorensen, Department of Computer Science, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K.; tel: +44-171-380-7285; fax: +44-171-387-1397; e-mail: S.Sorensen@cs.ucl.ac.uk; WWW: http://www.cs.ucl.ac.uk/staff/S.Sorensen/DMIT98.htm.

Association of Engineering Geologists 41st Annual Meeting. Seattle, Washington: September 29-October 3, 1998. Contact: Bill Clevenger; (425) 861-8672; e-mail: clevenger1@aol.com; or Julie Keaton; (520) 204-1553; e-mail: aegjuliek@aol.com; WWW: http://www.aegweb.org.

Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers (CASFM) Annual Conference: "Managing for a Sustainable Watershed." Steamboat Springs, Colorado: September 30-October 2, 1998. Presentation/workshop proposals are due April 30. Contact: CASFM, c/o Brad Anderson, Lidstone & Anderson, Inc., 760 Whalers Way, Suite B-200, Fort Collins, CO 80525; (970) 226-0120; fax: (970) 226-0121; e-mail: lawater@frii.com.

Eleventh World Conference on Civil Protection. Sponsor: International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO). Beijing, People's Republic of China: October 25-28, 1998. Contact: ICDO, Chemin de Surville 10-12, P.O. Box 172, CH-1213 Petit-Lancy 2, Geneva, Switzerland: tel: (44 22) 793 44 33; fax: (44 22) 793 44 28.

Wildfire Prevention Education Institute: "Rethinking Prevention - Tools for Change." Sponsor: Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact. Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada: October 25-29, 1998. Contact: Angie Coe, Wildfire Prevention Education Institute, c/o Lake Superior State University, BRIDGE, 650 West Easterday Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783; (888) 800-5778, ext. 6230, (906) 635-6230; fax: (906) 635-6232; e-mail: bridge@lakers.lssu.edu; WWW: http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/www/fmd/fire/conf.htm.

The Role of Information Technology in Fire Management. Sponsor: University of California at Davis in cooperation with several federal and state agencies. San Diego, California: November 16-19, 1998. Contact: Mike McCoy, Information Center on the Environment, Department of Environmental Studies and Policy, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616; (530) 754-9171.

Tenth Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Survive! Business Continuity Group. Birmingham, U.K.: November 17-18, 1998. Contact: Survive! Secretariat, The Chapel, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Fitzhugh Grove, London SW18 3SX, U.K.; tel: 0181-874 6266; fax: 0181-874 6446; e-mail: surviveuk@cityscape.co.uk; WWW: http://www.survive.com.

Disaster Exercises: Planning and Running an Effective Drill. Offered by: Major Industrial Accidents Council of Canada (MIACC). Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: November 19, 1998. Contact: Linda Huskins, Manager of Events, MIACC, 265 Carling Avenue, Suite 600, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1S 2E1; (613) 232-4435; fax: (613) 232-4915; e-mail: lhuskins@miacc.ca; WWW: http://www.miacc.ca.

13th International Conference and Workshops on Applied Geologic Remote Sensing: Practical Solutions for Real World Problems. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada: March 1-3, 1999. Contact: ERIM Geologic Conferences, P.O. Box 134008, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-4008; (734) 994-1200, ext. 3234; fax: (734) 994-5123; e-mail: wallman@erim-int.com; WWW: http://www.erim-int.com/CONF/conf.html.

International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)/XXII General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG). Birmingham, U.K.: July 19-30, 1999. See WWW: http://www.wlu.ca:80/~wwwiahs; or e-mail: 44iahs@mach1.wlu.ca.

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