DISASTER RESEARCH 300(!)

September 8, 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

  1. 1999 Hazards Workshop Session Summaries Available On-Line

  2. Seeking Information on Dam-Failure Warning Systems

  3. Seeking Information on CISM Teams

  4. Seeking Information on Y2K effects on 911 Systems

  5. Seeking Information on Post-Impact Needs Assessment Teams

  6. Seeking Information on Social Impacts of Natural Hazards on Transportation Networks

  7. Seeking Information on NEHRP Expenditures

  8. Which Risks Are Neglected?

  9. Seeking Information on Past Government Involvement in Disaster Recovery

  10. Seeking Information on Landslide Analysis

  11. Seeking Information on Use of Weather Information

  12. Seeking Examples of Alluvial Fan Floodproofing

  13. NFPC Documents Floodproofing Successes (and Failures)

  14. New on the Net

  15. Puerto Rico: NCBT and ARC Developing Higher Education Program

  16. ASFPM Seeking Organizations to Host River Restoration Workshops

  17. EIIP Virtual Forum Schedule for September

  18. 1999/2000 Disaster Recovery Resource Guide Available

  19. Conferences and Training

1)----------

1999 Hazards Workshop Session Summaries Available On-Line

As mentioned in DR#298, this summer the Natural Hazards Center hosted the 24th Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop in Boulder, Colorado, and the center has compiled summaries of the many discussions and presentations that took place at the workshop.

Those summaries, abstracts of the hazards research presented, and descriptions of the projects and programs discussed at the meeting are available in paper copy for $20.00, plus $5.00 shipping from the Publications Clerk, Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center, Campus Box 482, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309-0482; (303) 492-6818; fax: (303) 492-2151; e-mail: janet.kroekel@colorado.edu; WWW: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards. Checks should be made payable to the University of Colorado; Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Diner's Club cards are also accepted. (Orders beyond North America require additional shipping charges; contact the Publications Clerk at the address above for details.)

But hold on there, Newton!
Those same session summaries (but not the research abstracts and project descriptions) are now available at no charge from the Hazards Center Web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/ss/ss.html

So, if you are interested in hearing what some of the leading professionals had to say about some of the cutting edge issues in disaster management, take a look at that URL.

2)----------

Seeking Information on Dam-Failure Warning Systems

BC Hydro International Limited has developed expertise in automated warning systems for dams. These fully automated systems consist of water level sensors installed in river channels immediately downstream of dams to detect the onset of a breach. Using Meteor Burst Communications technology, the master station is warned if a dam breach occurs. Additionally, alarms, consisting of air horns backed up by electronic sirens, are triggered automatically in villages downstream as a warning for citizens to evacuate. These systems can serve dams built by man or naturally occurring ones. More information about the system BCHIL installed in Nepal can be found at http://www.bchil.com/news/glof.html.

As a market analyst for BCHIL, I am currently conducting research in regards to the automated dam warning systems industry. I am seeking information on international regulations and standards regarding such systems for human-made dams. Also, I am searching for information to develop a profile of current practices (i.e. a list of current automated dam warning systems, their type, when they were built, by whom, their cost, and so on). Furthermore, I am seeking to develop a list of glacier dams that present a potential hazard to citizens downstream. Hence, information would cover potential opportunities to build warning systems and save lives.

Any information regarding automated dam warning systems would be greatly appreciated. I can be reached by e-mail at genese.castonguay@bchydro.com, or by phone at (604) 528-3021. Mail can be sent to 6911 Southpoint Drive (A01), Burnaby, BC, Canada V3N 4X8. Thank you for your interest.

Sincerely,
Genese Castonguay
E-mail: genese.castonguay@bchydro.com

3)----------

Seeking Information on CISM Teams

As part of a Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team for Eastman Kodak, I would like to receive any data/research (empirical, survey, others) on any corporate-based CISM teams - their guidelines and their response strategies. Please submit any information to:
Dan McGuire
Eastman Kodak CISM Team
1187 Ridge Road West
Building 205 - 2nd Floor
Rochester, NY 14650-1502
(716) 588-9002
E-mail: mcguire@kodak.com

4)----------

Seeking Information on Y2K effects on 911 Systems

[Taken from AOL's Emergency Management list: emergency-management@listserv.aol.com]

Hello,
I am researching Y2K-related effects on 911 systems for a paper being written for a federal agency involved with infrastructure protection. As you might know, emergency services is one of the eight sectors in the U.S. critical infrastructure. Anyone having first-hand verifiable information about an adverse Y2K effect on a 911 system, to include in-house computerized dispatch software systems, is invited to contact me.

Thank you,
Chip Seymour, The MITRE Corporation
E-mail: cseymour@mitre.org

5)----------

Seeking Information on Post-Impact Needs Assessment Teams

Hello from Hobart, Tasmania. Following my involvement as Co-ordinator, Counselling and Client Services, Port Arthur Recovery Centre, I have been asked to help with the writing of a curriculum to be used to train personnel who are involved in disaster recovery. I am seeking information on teams trained to assess needs immediately post- impact of a disaster - i.e., short-, medium- and long-term needs assessment, which is fed back to the relevant authorities in control of resources. Depending on the magnitude of the event, we recognise that a team of trained personnel, dispatched immediately following a major event, could help alleviate the chaos, confusion, and inefficiencies that are characteristic of disaster response. I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,
Rod MacGregor
E-mail: rod.macgregor@dchs.tas.gov.au

6)----------

Seeking Information on Social Impacts of Natural Hazards on Transportation Networks

Hello,
I am a graduate student and research affiliate of the Transport Institute at the University of Manitoba. I am interested in research topics and ideas that relate to the impact of natural hazards and disasters on transportation networks (with more emphasis on social, rather than technical/engineering, issues and concerns). Any suggestions, ideas, or references for research on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Jill Ogston
Transport Institute
University of Manitoba
E-mail: umogston@cc.umanitoba.ca
Tel: (204) 474-9842

7)----------

Seeking Information on NEHRP Expenditures

In 1992, it had been estimated that the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) had spent about $700 million under its various components. Does anyone know if there is a more recent figure on this?

Thanks,
John Gaffney
University of New Mexico, Health Sciences Center
E-mail: JGaffney@salud.unm.edu

8)----------

Which Risks Are Neglected?

[Adapted from Riskanal - a mailing list for risk professionals: riskanal@lyris.pnl.gov]

We have just started a research project on neglected risks. By neglected risks we mean, primarily, risks that have not been the subject of the careful deliberations that they deserve. The project's coordinator is Prof. Lennart Sjoberg, Stockholm School of Economics. We hope that you are willing to help us in our inventory by answering the following question: Which risks do you consider to be neglected, in your own country or internationally? If possible, also tell us why each of them has been neglected. Please send your answer to martin.peterson@philosophy.su.se.

Yours sincerely,
Martin Peterson
Department of Philosophy
Stockholm University
Sweden
E-mail: martin.peterson@philosophy.su.se

9)----------

Seeking Information on Past Government Involvement in Disaster Recovery

[Adapted from the hazard mitigation e-mail list - hazmit@mitigation.com]

Hello.
I am an American writing from Turkey, where as you may know we have just had a huge earthquake. We are trying to figure out what governments have done in the case of past natural disasters to raise money to rebuild-for example special taxes, etc. Do you have any idea what happened in Honduras or Nicaragua in response to Hurricane Mitch, or can you put me in contact with someone who can help me?

Thank you,
Michelle Stern
E-mail: MStern@bendersecurities.com

10)----------

Seeking Information on Landslide Analysis

I am reading for Ph.D. at the University of Hong Kong researching slopes and landslides and would appreciate any suggestions where to look for information on such topics as colluvium-related failures, the use of geophysics in slope or landslide studies, 3D modeling programmes for slope subsurface and perched/groundwater interfaces.

Cheers,
Julie D. Bell
E-mail: eccola@netvigator.com
(Anyone coming this way to Asia, more specifically Hong Kong and China, please let me know if I may assist them.)

11)----------

Seeking Information on Use of Weather Information

We are doing a project exploring individuals' use of and values for improved weather information. Thus, we are currently looking for any reports, studies, information on households' perceptions of, use of, demand for, and/or response to weather information. We are more interested in day-to-day weather information than information regarding high impact events (such as hurricanes).

Also - any ideas about methodological and theoretical approaches to such an issue would be appreciated. We are currently approaching this as values for reducing uncertainty (through better information) and are considering a small-scale survey (conjoint type) to elicit perceptions of, uses of, and values for improved weather information. Response can be sent directly to me.

Thanks,
Jeff
Jeffrey Lazo
E-mail: JLazo@stratusconsulting.com

12)----------

Seeking Examples of Alluvial Fan Floodproofing

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Flood Proofing Committee (NFPC) is preparing an inventory of examples of floodproofed structures located on alluvial fans. Information is needed on what types of projects are being constructed on alluvial fans and which types are successful and unsuccessful. The focus is mainly on single residential or commercial buildings, but techniques used on larger projects may also be considered. Floodproofing techniques may include elevation, wet or dry floodproofing methods, small floodwalls, relocation, etc. Information is being sought for all areas of the fan, including the fan surface, multichannel areas, entrenched channels, shallow sheet flow areas, etc. Persons having alluvial fan floodproofing information should contact (by September 20, 1999):
Annette Wolf
Hydraulic Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Albuquerque District
4101 Jefferson Plaza NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 342-3320
Fax: (505) 342-3497
E-mail: annette.m.wolf@usace.army.mil

13)----------

More on floodproofing . . .

NFPC Documents Floodproofing Successes (and Failures)

The above-mentioned NFPC has issued a new publication entitled Flood Proofing Performance, Successes and Failures that documents how floodproofing measures have performed when actually tested by floodwaters. The information was acquired from 12 selected flood areas across the U.S. between 1986 and 1997, and the publication includes lessons on what worked and what did not in those areas. This document should soon be available from the NFPC Web site, which includes numerous other full-text NFPC publications on floodproofing. See: http://www.usace.army.mil/inet/functions/cw/cecwp/nfpc.htm, or contact Annette Wolf at the address above.

14)----------

New on the Net

[These are some of the latest and more useful Internet resources we've encountered. For an extended list of selected Internet sites dealing with hazards and disaster management, see http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/sites/sites.html]

http://pubs.usgs.gov/pinatubo
From this Web site, volcanophiles can obtain the complete text of Fire and Mud: Eruptions and Lahars of Mount Pinatubo, Philippines, edited by Christopher G. Newhall, U.S. Geological Survey, and Raymundo S. Punongbayan, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. This technical monograph on the large 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and its muddy aftermath includes papers on the effects of this eruption and, especially in the first section, on how warnings were formulated and received. The original volume was published in 1996 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the University of Washington Press. The on-line version is provided courtesy of the USGS.

http://www.dir.ucar.edu/esig/socasp/policy.html
It's hard to keep up with the Web spinners at the National Center for Atmospheric Research's Environmental and Societal Impacts Group. This month, at the address above, they've added yet another page to the Societal Aspects of Weather Web site. Dedicated to "Weather Policy," the page provides a centralized source of information on policies for weather research and decision making. The authors welcome feedback and suggestions for additions. Additionally, the Web masters at NCAR have updated the Societal Aspects of Weather site with a dedicated search engine, additional new content, and pages reorganized according to frequency of use.

http://www.wind.ttu.edu/
The holdings of the Wind Engineering Library at Texas Tech University are now searchable on-line. The Web site covers more than 4500 articles and provides a simple system for searching the catalog. The availability of each item is indicated, allowing users to quickly ignore items that are not available.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/infocentral/web/weather.htm
On its Web site, the National Geographic Society offers a section called Info Central, which they describe as a mini-encyclopedia. It includes a "Fact Guide," "Answer Guide," and "Web Guide." In turn, the Web Guide's Science and Nature Section offers a catalog of Web sites that address "Weather, Natural Hazards, and Disasters." The extensive list covers various types of hazards, as well as such things as "K-12 Education," "Disaster Preparedness," "Disaster Response," and "Organizations and Contacts."

15)----------

Puerto Rico: NCBT and ARC Developing Higher Education Program

[Adapted from the Higher Education discussion list of the Emergency Management Forum - highered@emforum.org]

The Vice-President of Academic and Student Affairs at Puerto Rico's National College of Business and Technology (NCBT), Dr. Carmen Zoraida Claudio writes that this past June, "The NCBT and the American Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter signed an agreement of collaboration to develop the first higher education program in the field of Disaster and Emergency Management in Puerto Rico, and to professionalize those who work in the field." A full-time coordinator has been hired to develop and implement this program.

Dr. Claudio writes that "We are confident that the model being developed by the NCBT and the ARC Puerto Rico Chapter will serve others in the Caribbean in the field of Disaster Management. Our program will serve career minded individuals and will be suitable for both the recent high school graduate and those seeking additional professional qualifications to enhance a second-career potential." For further information, contact Dr. Carmen Claudio, NCBT, P.O. Box 2036, Bayamon, Puerto Rico 00960.

16)----------

ASFPM Seeking Organizations to Host River Restoration Workshops

Last week the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) hosted its second "River Restoration Workshop" in Chicago with approximately 120-150 participants (the first workshop was held in Portland, Oregon, earlier this year). Next year, the association would like to conduct two more workshops around the nation, and is seeking ASFPM chapters or other interested organizations who would like to host a workshop. Interested persons should contact Larry Larson or Diane Watson, ASFPM, 2809 Fish Hatchery Road, Suite 204, Madison, WI 53713-3120; (608) 274-0123; fax: (608) 274-0696; e-mail: asfpm@floods.org; WWW: http://www.floods.org.

17)----------

EIIP Virtual Forum Schedule for September

Round tables are EIIP partner-led discussions held each Tuesday at 12:00 noon eastern time. Formal sessions are held each Wednesday, also at 12:00 noon.

September 1999 Round Tables:

September 1999 Formal Sessions:

To participate in these on-line discussions and presentations, log in to http://www.emforum.org and click on "On-Line Events."

18)----------

1999/2000 Disaster Recovery Resource Guide Available

The 1999/2000 edition of the Disaster Recovery Yellow Pages, from The Systems Audit Group, Inc., is now available. The guide is a 320-page, comprehensive sourcebook designed to help users locate crucial recovery services throughout the United States and Canada. It cites over 3000 vendors and covers over 350 categories - from drying & dehumidification of paper & microfilm records to trauma counseling. The book is in five sections, covering restoration services, mobile buildings, computer and emergency equipment, planning and data recovery software, as well as training publications and videos. In addition, it includes an alphabetical listing of companies, a tutorial on areas frequently overlooked in disaster recovery plans, as well as hints on "getting started" in preparing a disaster plan. The Disaster Recovery Yellow Pages costs $98, plus $3 for shipping and handling. Regular updates are available. To obtain a free brochure, or to place an order, contact The Systems Audit Group, Inc., 25 Ellison Road, Newton, MA 02459; (617) 332-3496; fax: (617) 332-4358; e-mail: dryp@Javanet.COM

19)----------

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]

Emergency Medicine Symposium. Organizer: Emergency Medical Association of Turkey. Izmir, Turkey: September 30-October 3, 1999. The official language will be Turkish with simultaneous English translation. Contact: Ulkumen Rodoply, MD, Chairman, Mimar Sinan Cd. 3/8 Kahramanlar, Izmir, Turkey; tel/fax: +90.232.4213811; e-mail: gersoy@kordon.deu.edu.tr; or Gurkan Ersoy, MD, General Secretary; e-mail: ersoyg@cs.med.deu.edu.tr.

International Conference on Disaster Management: Cooperative Networking in South Asia. Sponsor: Indira Gandhi National Open University. New Delhi, India: November 28-30, 1999. Papers are requested and should be submitted October 15, 1999. Contact: Pardeep Sahni; e-mail: pardeepsahni@hotmail.com.

Tenth World Conference on Disaster Management. Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: June 25-28, 2000. Contact: Tracy Steel, Conference Coordinator, Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness, P.O. Box 2911, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3R5, Canada; tel: (905) 546-3911 or 1-800-965-4608; fax: (905) 546-2489; e-mail: info@wcdm.org. Registration is available via the conference Web site: http://www.wcdm.org.

2000 Canadian Dam Association Conference. Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada: September 16-21, 2000. Contact: Colin Campbell, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PFRA, 1800 Hamilton Street, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 4L2, Canada; (306) 780-5203; e-mail: pf10135@em.agr.ca.

Dam Safety 2000: Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) Annual Conference. Providence, Rhode Island: September 26-29, 2000. Contact: ASDSO, 450 Old Vine Street, Second Floor, Lexington, KY 40507; (606) 257-5140; fax: (606) 323-1958; e-mail: info@damsafety.org; WWW: http://members.aol.com/damsafety/homepage.htm.

Fifth International Conference on Corporate Earthquake Programs. San Jose, California: November 7-9, 2000. A call for papers has been issued; abstracts are due May 15, 2000. Contact: Dr. Steven Vukazich, San Jose State University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, One Washington Square, San Jose, CA 95192-0083; (408) 924-3858; fax: (408) 924-4004; e-mail: vukazich@email.sjsu.edu.

Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) 25th National Conference. Charlotte, North Carolina: June 3-8, 2001. Contact: ASFPM, 2809 Fish Hatchery Road, Suite 204, Madison, WI 53713-3120; (608) 274-0123; fax: (608) 274-0696; e-mail: asfpm@floods.org; WWW: http://www.floods.org.

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