My name is David Reese and I am working on a joint project between Colorado State University and the Poudre Valley School District. This project is designed to bring GIS technology into the classroom in grades K-12. I am working on a project to help a second grade classroom understand earthquakes and why they happen where they happen.
Part of the project includes finding data on the plans that cities have in place to mitigate the effects of major earthquakes as well as the response planning of these same municipalities. Thus, I was wondering if anyone has or knows of such risk management information for major cities (building codes, emergency services, risk planning, etc.). Preferably this would be in the form of a ".shp" file for ArcView or a database file that I could then use to create a coverage on a map of North America showing such information in a spatial analysis of earthquakes. Thank you for any assistance that you may give me.
David Reese
E-mail:
dareese@lamar.ColoState.EDU
If you have any information that would help us answer these questions we would greatly appreciate it. Additionally, if you know anyone who might be able to answer these questions, references would also be greatly appreciated. I can be reached by e-mail or by fax at (202) 939-3166, attn: Liz Sugermeyer, Field Support, National Democratic Institute. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,
Liz Sugermeyer
E-mail: lizs@ndi.org
Sally Shephard
E-mail:
shephard@coventry.ac.uk
This information will be used to assist FEMA in its participation on the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion. Again, individuals or agencies interested in participating in this survey can do so on-line at http://www.emassociation.org/y2k.html.
FEMA is soliciting feedback on the panel's recommendations from the fire service community and all other interested parties. With these additional comments, FEMA will draft an implementation plan based on the panel's review. Comments can be e-mailed to: consultgr@aol.com or sent in writing to: FEMA, c/o Greenridge Associates, Inc., 295 Greenridge Drive, Dunkirk, MD 20754-2108.
All comments must be received no later than November 15, 1998.
The CalTech-CUREe project was approved and funded under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which is administered by Cal OES. Primary goals of the project include improving building codes and standards, making insurance ratings and loss estimates more accurate, and training building designers, inspectors, and contractors in effective woodframe construction techniques to mitigate seismic damage. The project has five elements: testing and analysis, field investigations, building codes and standards, economic aspects, and education and outreach.
Individuals who would like to receive information about the CUREe- CalTech Woodframe Project, including a project newsletter and announcements of requests for proposals, should send their name, affiliation, address, phone, fax, and e-mail to CUREe, 1301 South 46th Street, Richmond, CA 94804; fax: (510) 231-5664; e-mail: curee@nisee.ce.berkeley.edu. For additional information, see http://www.scec.org/news/98news/curee.html.
Information and guidance regarding the new program are available from the FEMA Web site at: http://www.fema.gov/r-n-r/pa008.htm.
The Red Cross is recruiting a Curriculum Development Associate position that will be funded for 15 months to develop this curriculum. All interested applicants should apply as soon as possible.
Job Description:
Associate, Curriculum Development; Grade 36, JOB ID: Y1103; Salary:
Mid 30's * Mid 40's; NHQ/Falls Church, VA; Posted: 10/12/98.
**Temporary (Approximately 15 months with benefits)**
Duties and Requirements:
Develop performance-based activities and lesson plans in six areas
(listed above) consistent with curriculum requirements for
implementation in school history, science, mathematics, social
studies, language arts, spelling, and reading curricula for children
in grades K-8. The lesson plans and activities will be designed in
three grade-level modules for each topic: grades K-2, 3-5, and 6-8. A
total of 18 modules will be developed.
BA/B.S./B.Ed. or the equivalent experience is required. Prefer experience in elementary or secondary education and/or curriculum development. Familiarity with American Red Cross Community Disaster Education and emergency management is preferred. Two to five years experience in developing curriculum for children in grades K-8. Excellent communication skills both in writing and in person. Strong presentation skills. Ability to interact effectively and productively with culturally and geographically diverse paid and volunteer staff, both internal and external to Red Cross.
Application Instructions
National sector staff who wish to be considered should submit an
Internal Application for Position Vacancy (Form 5983), a current
resume, and a copy of their latest Work Performance Appraisal.
External applicants should submit a resume and cover letter, or
Application for Employment (Form 615A), stating the title of the
vacant national sector corporate position to: HR Staffing and Employee
Relations, American National Red Cross Headquarters, 8111 Gatehouse
Road, Falls Church, VA 22042; (703) 206-7330. The internal and
external application forms can be downloaded from:
http://www.redcross.org/jobs/. Application deadline: October 23, 1998, which may be extended. Apply soon to ensure consideration.
Once this threat was borne out and the extent of the ensuing suffering and hardship became apparent, our research team decided to devote a special PartnerResearch Report to the hurricane and its effects. In this report, we endeavor to provide a brief overview of the significant aspects of Hurricane Georges for the insurance industry: the meteorological features of the hurricane; a summary of its impacts on the affected areas; and its insurance aspects. Since the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was among the worst hit territories in terms of financial losses, we have dedicated a special section to the hurricane risk on this island.
With respect to the U.S. mainland, Hurricane Georges turned out to be much less devastating than originally feared. Fortunately, its final landfall spared the densely populated and highly vulnerable parts of the U.S. Gulf coast. Nevertheless, we believe that Hurricane Georges produced vital food for thought for our industry. The report will tell you why. If you would like to have a free copy of the report, please contact the author:
Fabian Schonenberg
PartnerRe Services
Weinplatz 10
CH-8022 Zurich
Switzerland
Tel: (41 1) 224 3544
Fax (41 1) 224 3500
E-mail:
schonenberg@partnerre.com
http://www.fema.gov/mit/
http://www.fema.gov/mit/reduce.htm
http://www.fema.gov/mit/how2.htm
etc. . . .
We've mentioned the mitigation portion of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency's Web site several times before, but, by golly,
we're going to mention it again, since, as FEMA states, "Mitigation is
the cornerstone of emergency management." Besides, this continually
updated site offers hundreds of pages on what individuals, families,
and businesses can do to lessen disaster impacts. The mitigation page
includes current mitigation news, the latest reports from FEMA's
Project Impact, links to mitigation documents available from FEMA, the
complete text of the National Mitigation Strategy, and information
about the HAZUS disaster loss estimation software. And the second and
third URLs above, it also offers extensive sections on mitigation for
homeowners, building professionals, communities, businesses, and
school and childcare facilities, as well as FEMA's Mitigation How To
Series - specific instructions for protecting property from
wildfires, flooding, and earthquakes
http://modarch.gsfc.nasa.gov/fire_atlas/fires.html
Recent conflagrations in Florida, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and
other parts of the world have demonstrated the usefulness of earth-
observing satellite data to support fire management and suppression.
To make such data readily accessible, NASA's Goddard Space Flight
Center and the University of Virginia have established this global
fire monitoring Web site that provides up-to-date information about
current fire situations around the globe as well as information about
past fires and future plans. The site draws on satellite information
from many sources. It includes sections on the state of the science,
fire emissions, satellite systems, global data products, regional
examples, EOS generation sensors, research, related links, a list of
references, and a bibliography.
http://www.disasternews.net
The Disaster News Network is an Internet site offering
comprehensive, timely news and information about U.S. disaster
response. In addition to articles about breaking events, individual
sections provide up-to-date information about regional, ongoing
disasters. The site is intended to aid voluntary organizations
involved in helping disaster survivors put their lives back together.
It includes a nationwide database of disaster-related volunteer
opportunities indicating where in the country volunteers are needed.
Other features include annotated disaster-related links, several
specialized listservs, and soon, an on-line facility for making
disaster relief donations. The Web site is sponsored by Church World
Service (CWS).
http://www.paho.org/english/ped/pedhome.htm
PAHO has just published two books on aspects of disaster
mitigation:
Full text versions of both publications are available from the PAHO Web site: www.paho.org/english/ped/pedhome.htm in the publications section. Printed copies can be requested from disaster@paho.org.
http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/rrp
NOAA's Office of Global Programs is currently conducting a
climate variability impacts research project, part of which involves
making daily summaries of impacts as reported by wire services and
country/international reports. These daily reports, as well as weekly
summaries, are available from the Web site above. For additional
information about this project, contact Kelly Sponberg, (301) 427-
2089, ext. 194; e-mail:
sponberg@ogp.noaa.gov.
"Disasters-A Challenge for the Special Needs Population." Offered by: Lamar University-Dept of Nursing and the Disaster Planning For the Special Needs Population Advisory Council. Beaumont, Texas: October 29, 1998. Contact: Patti Moss or Iva Hall, Lamar University; (409) 880-8821; fax: (409) 880-1865.
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Canada Regional Conference and Exposition. Windsor, Ontario, Canada: November 9-12, 1998. Contact: John Smith, 811 Cosburn Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4C 2V9; (416) 429-2369; fax: (416) 429-8862; e-mail: apco.john.smith@sympatico.ca; WWW: http://www.apco.ca.
International Meeting of Disaster Documentation Centers. Sponsored by: the World Health Organization, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, and the Regional Disaster Information Center. San Jose, Costa Rica: November 18-21, 1998. Contact: World Health Organization, Division of Emergency and Humanitarian Action, Danielle Deboutte, e-mail: meynentc@who.ch. In the Americas: Pan American Health Organization, Emergency Preparedness Program, Ricardo Perez, e-mail: perezric@paho.org; WWW: http://www.paho.org/english/ped/pedhome.htm.
The ABC of Business Continuity Planning. Offered by: Survive Business Continuity Group. Gloucester, U.K.: November 30-December 2, 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@survive.com; WWW: http://www.survive.com.
Second Inter-American Dialogue for Disaster Reduction. Organizers: World Bank; Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment, Organization of American States; La Red; Emergency Preparedness Program, Pan American Health Organization. Washington, D.C.: December 15-16, 1998. Contact: Natural Hazards Project, Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment, Organization of American States, 1889 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20006; (202) 458-6295; fax: (202) 458-3560; e-mail: natural-hazards-project@oas.org.
Mid-America Highway Seismic Conference. Sponsors: Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER), Mid-America Earthquake Center, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and others. St. Louis, Missouri: February 28-March 3, 1999. Contact: Mid-America Highway Seismic Conference, P.O. Box 627, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Glenn Fulkerson, FHWA-Missouri Division; (573) 636-7104; fax: (573) 636-9283; e-mail: glenn.fulkerson@fhwa.dot.gov -or- Shyam Gupta, Missouri Department of Transportation - Bridge Division; (573) 751-3760; fax: (573) 526-5488; e-mail: guptag@mail.modot.state.mo.us; WWW: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/seismic/.
European Geophysical Society (EGS) 24th General Assembly. The Hague, Netherlands: April 19-23, 1999. Includes at least 11 proposed symposia on various aspects of landslides and related phenomena. Abstracts are due December 15, 1998. Full descriptions of the symposia, the names and addresses of the convenors, and other conference information are available at http://www.copernicus.org/EGS/EGS.html. Additional information can also be obtained by contacting the EGS Office, Max-Planck-Str. 13, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany; +49-5556-1440; fax: +49-5556-4709; e-mail: egs@copernicus.org.
1999 Hazardous Materials Advisory Council (HMAC) Annual Conference and Hazardous Materials Exposition. Washington, D.C.: May 12-14, 1999. Contact: HMAC, 1101 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 301, Washington DC 20005-3521; (202) 289-4550; fax: (202) 289-4074; e-mail: hmacinfo@hmac.org; WWW: http://www.hmac.org.
23rd Annual Conference of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM): "Planning Ahead: Flood Loss Reduction in the 21st Century." Portland, Oregon: May 24-28, 1999. Contact: ASFPM, 4233 West Beltline Highway, Madison, WI 53711; (608) 274-0123; fax: (608) 274-0696; e-mail: asfpm@execpc.com; WWW: http://www.floods.org.
Symposium and Workshop - "Crossing the Millennium: Integrating Spatial Technologies and Ecological Principles for a New Age of Fire Management." Sponsors: University of Idaho, Missoula Intermountain Fire Sciences Lab, and the National Interagency Fire Center. Boise, Idaho: June 15-17, 1999. Poster or paper presentation abstracts should be transmitted via the World Wide Web, e-mail, or computer disk to the Program Chair, Dr. Leon Neuenschwander, Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1133; (208) 885-2101; fax: (208) 885-6226 -or- Dr. Newenschwander's assistant, Greg Gollberg (address below). Abstracts are due February 26, 1999. For submission guidelines contact the above or Jason M. Greenlee, International Association of Wildland Fire, East 8109 Bratt Road, Fairfield, Washington 99012;; (509) 523-4003; fax: (509) 523-5001; e-mail: greenlee@cet.com; WWW: http://www.wildfiremagazine.com. Registration forms are available from Greg Gollberg, Department of Forest Resources, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844-1133; fax: (208) 885-6226; e-mail: goll9151@uidaho.edu.
Ninth International Conference on Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (SDEE '99). Sponsors: Institute of Solid Earth Physics, University of Bergen, Norwegian Society for Earthquake Engineering. Bergen, Norway: August 9-12, 1999. Abstracts due January 31, 1999. Contact: K. Atakan, SDEE '99 LOC, Institute of Solid Earth Physics, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5007 Bergen, Norway; tel: +47-55- 583420; fax: +47-55-589669; e-mail: sdee99@ifjf.uib.no; WWW: http://www.ifjf.uib.no/seismo/sdee99.html.
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth Interior (IAVCEI) General Assembly 2000. Bandung, Indonesia: July 18- 23, 2000. Abstracts due February 29, 2000. Contact: IAVCEI Conference Secretariat, Volcanological Survey of Indonesia, Jalan Diponegoro 57, Bandung 40122, Indonesia; tel: +62-22-772606; fax: +62-22-702761; e-mail: iavcei@vsi.dpe.go.id; WWW: http://www.vsi.dpe.go.id/iavcei.html.
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