DISASTER RESEARCH 273

October 23, 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS:


  1. Seeking Community Earthquake Mitigation Plans (Preferably in GIS format . . .)
  2. Seeking Background Disaster Information for Several Corners of the World
  3. Seeking Information on Applying Performance Management Indicators to Emergency Management
  4. IAEM Questionnaire on Y2K Preparedness
  5. Panel Proposes USFA Restructure
  6. More Information on the CUREe-CalTech Woodframe Construction Earthquake Hazards Reduction Project
  7. New FEMA Public Assistance Program Now in Place
  8. Help Wanted: Red Cross Seeks Disaster Preparedness Curriculum Developer
  9. Caribbean and Central American Building Code Officials Declare "Cooperative Action" to Reduce Disasters
  10. PartnerRe Offers Report on Hurricane Georges
  11. Internet Resources
  12. Correction
  13. Conferences and Training


1)----------
Seeking Community Earthquake Mitigation Plans (Preferably in GIS format . . .)

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


2)----------
Seeking Background Disaster Information for Several Corners of the World

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is in the process of creating an emergency background profile for some of our field offices, and we hope to include information about natural disasters as well. We are looking for information regarding disaster risks and responses for Albania, Angola, Armenia, Cambodia, Liberia, Guyana, Kenya, and Yemen. We would like to answer the following questions regarding these countries:

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


3)----------
Seeking Information on Applying Performance Management Indicators to Emergency Management

I an in my final year studying for a BSc(Hons) in Development and Health in Disaster Management. I am considering doing a thesis on the application of performance management indicators in emergency management. Unfortunately my search for information on this subject is proving futile, and I would be grateful if you could provide comments, information, and ideas on this subject. During the summer I worked with the health emergency planning officer (NHS Executive) of the northwest region of England. In that time I came across performance management guidelines for emergency planning within the health sector. These guidelines provide an idea of the information I require - but in all emergency planning sections. I await your reply.

Sally Shephard
E-mail: shephard@coventry.ac.uk


4)----------
Please fill out . . .
IAEM Questionnaire on Y2K Preparedness

You may know that October 19-23 has been designated National Y2K Action Week by the President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion. The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is asking for your immediate assistance in developing an initial assessment of Y2K preparedness in the local and state emergency management communities. The association has prepared an on-line questionnaire and is asking interested persons to fill it out.

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.


5)----------
Panel Proposes USFA Restructure

A "Blue Ribbon" panel's review of the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) - initiated by FEMA Director James Lee Witt last spring - has been posted in full on the FEMA and USFA Web sites (see http://www.usfa.fema.gov/about/press/brp/bluribn.htm). The report includes a review of the structure, mission, and funding of the USFA, future policies, programmatic needs, course development and delivery, and the role of the USFA to reflect changes in the fire service. The report's 34 recommendations range from developing a more accurate mission statement for the National Fire Academy to increasing funding for research and outreach activities. In short, it calls on FEMA to re-emphasize the role of fire programs within the agency.

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.


6)----------
More Information on the CUREe-CalTech Woodframe Construction Earthquake Hazards Reduction Project

In the last DR we mentioned that the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) and California Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREe) had received a three-year, $5.2 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) via the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to undertake a project to reduce damage and losses in woodframe construction due to future earthquakes. The project is, in part, a response to problems uncovered in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. In that disaster, approximately half of the property losses were incurred by woodframe structures.

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.


7)----------
New FEMA Public Assistance Program Now in Place

After several pilot tests earlier this year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has fully instituted new streamlined procedures for administering public assistance following disasters. The new grant delivery system gives local governments more control over the process, allowing them to perform much of the damage assessment. FEMA provides guidance on how to manage the process and also can send experts into the field early for special reviews, such as those involving environmental and historic preservation impact.

Information and guidance regarding the new program are available from the FEMA Web site at: http://www.fema.gov/r-n-r/pa008.htm.


8)----------
Help Wanted: Red Cross Seeks Disaster Preparedness Curriculum Developer

The American Red Cross is pleased to announce that the Allstate Insurance Company has provided a significant grant to develop disaster safety curriculum for children in grades K-8 and their families. The curriculum will cover six subject areas:
This curriculum will be supplemental and complementary to curricula already in use in school science, math, social studies, language arts, and other subject areas.

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.


9)----------
Caribbean and Central American Building Code Officials Declare "Cooperative Action" to Reduce Disasters

In early October, participants in a two-day Forum on Building Codes and Economic Development held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, issued a "Declaration of Cooperative Action" that calls for the nations of that region to work together to reduce loss of lives and property due to disasters and to enhance public safety and economic development. The declaration includes three goals:
To achieve these goals, the declaration spells out 27 cooperative actions ranging from code development, to research, to training. Additional workshops and forums are being considered. For more information about this international effort, contact Rolf Lipton, National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards, 505 Huntmar Park Drive, Suite 210, Herndon, VA 20170; (703) 467-2043.


10)----------
Partner Re Offers Report on Hurricane Georges

In late September, alerted by the formation of several hurricanes in the Atlantic, the research team of PartnerRe - a leading natural catastrophe reinsurance company - began to focus on the developing storms. Very quickly, it became clear that Hurricane Georges posed a significant threat to a large number of Caribbean islands.

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


11)----------
Internet Resources

[These are a few of the newest Internet resources we've come across. For a list of selected Internet sites dealing with disaster management, see http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/sites/sites.html.]

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:

  • Natural Disaster Mitigation in Drinking Water and Sewerage Systems: Guidelines for Vulnerability Analysis is the second book in a series on lessening the impact of disasters in drinking water and sewerage systems. It focuses specifically on vulnerability analysis - an essential step in determining how to protect these systems - and on appropriate response procedures when a disaster occurs. Although presently only available in Spanish, the English translation should be ready by the end of the year.
  • In June, PAHO published (in Spanish only) Manual para la mitigacion de desastres naturales en sistemas rurales de agua potable.

    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.


    12)----------
    Correction

    In DR #270 we mentioned the new Research Center for Natural Disasters at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The World Wide Web address for the center Web site is: http://psba.ugm.ac.id.


    13)----------
    Conferences and Training

    [Below are some recent 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]

    "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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