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The expectation is that, as a result of natural disaster management, further political, diplomatic, cultural, social, technical, or economic links or exchanges were fostered. Examples of frameworks through which such interstate cooperation could work are:
List Members,
I'm interested in the links between disasters and the environment. My
recent work has focused on how to incorporate an awareness of
environmental impacts into disaster relief operations (see: "Disasters
and Environmental Impact: A Framework for Rapid Assessment and
Planning by Response Personnel," in Proceedings, Conference on
Environmental Issues in Disaster Prevention, Preparedness and
Response, The Environmental Response Network, Green Cross UK,
Kingston, U.K., 1999).
While there seems to be some donor and (humanitarian and developmental) NGO interest in the issue, nothing in terms of practical policy or procedures appears to have made its way into day-to-day disaster management efforts. I am posting this message for three reasons:
Institute research has already explored a wide variety of subjects, including geographic information systems, remote sensing, pre-event planning, and homeowners' attitudes toward structural retrofitting. Outreach opportunities will become available through intern positions in local government emergency management offices and through local disaster operations as they occur.
For further information about the University of Washington's new Institute for Hazard Mitigation Planning and Research contact Bob Freitag, e-mail: bfreitag@u.washington.edu; or visit the institute's Web site: http://depts.washington.edu/mitigate.
http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/informer/
The second issue in the Natural Hazard Center's new peer-reviewed
"Natural Hazards Informer" series is now available on-line and in
downloadable PDF format at the URL above. Entitled Public Education
for Earthquake Hazards, this latest Informer summarizes current
knowledge about various aspects of earthquake education for
practitioners, researchers, public policy makers, and others.
Each volume of the Natural Hazards Informer summarizes current knowledge about a specific aspect of natural hazards research and policy, saving readers the time and effort needed to research and update their understanding of that topic. The first issue of the informer - Flood Mitigation Planning: The CRS Approach, by French Wetmore and Gil Jamieson - is also available from the Web page above.
http://www.md.ucl.ac.be/cred/
The Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) at
the School of Public Health, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels,
Belgium, has placed a comprehensive database of disaster information
on-line via their Web site. As the creators of this resource state,
"In recent years, natural and man-made disasters have been affecting
increasing numbers of people throughout the world. Budgets for
emergency and humanitarian aid have sky-rocketed. Efforts to establish
better preparedness for and prevention of disasters have been a
priority concern of donor agencies, implementing agencies and affected
countries. For this reason, demand for complete and verified data on
disasters and their human and economic impact, by country and type of
disaster has been growing. Planners, policy makers, field agencies
engaged in preparedness have all expressed need for data for their
work. The CRED/OFDA initiative responds to this need by making
available a specialised, validated database on disasters that
facilitates preparedness, thereby reducing vulnerability to disasters
and improving disaster management."
The site includes:
Additionally, a country-by-country database compiled by the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assist and CRED is available via the United Nations ReliefWeb site: http://www.reliefweb.int.
http://www.paho.org/english/ped/pedhome.htm
(click on "New Publications")
One year after Hurricanes Georges and Mitch devastated Central
America and the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
has published a monograph reviewing those events and reflecting on
lessons learned in the health sector. Disaster Chronicle on
Hurricanes Georges and Mitch includes eight reports produced in the
affected countries themselves, thus recording valuable, first-hand
experiences and chronicling these two, almost consecutive, disasters.
Hurricane Georges is analyzed in reports from Haiti and the Dominican
Republic, while Hurricane Mitch is described in reports from Honduras,
Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Belize. Two annexes conclude
the volume, which is available only in Spanish. The book can be
accessed and downloaded from PAHO's Emergency Preparedness Program Web
site above. A limited number of printed copies are available and can
be requested by e-mailing disaster-publications@paho.org.
Several other new PAHO documents are also available from this site:
http://www.unep.org/unep/eia/geo2000/
http://grid2.cr.usgs.gov/geo2000
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) launched the Global
Environment Outlook (GEO) Project in 1995 with two components:
http://www.stormweb.com
Since 1996, the Stormweb Emergency Information System has
provided real-time disaster reports and emergency information to the
residents of coastal Washington and the Olympic Peninsula. Under
normal circumstances, Stormweb provides links to surface and marine
weather, satellite, and radar information, road conditions, tide and
river information, and much more. Stormweb also offers a broad
database of disaster preparedness information and a comprehensive
library for researchers (note, however, that the database and library
are temporarily off-line).
When potential emergency conditions develop, Stormweb operations increase. Conditions are continually monitored and updates are sent out to Stormweb subscribers by e-mail when warranted. Watches are posted on-line when they are issued. As conditions progress from watch to warning status, Stormweb shifts to 24-hour real-time reporting of information collected and consolidated from dozens of sources. Stormweb's advisory system - STORMWEB_ALERT - provides emergency bulletins, preparedness information, and periodic newsletters via e-mail at no cost.
http://www.admin.ch/documentation
The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Protection through the Swiss
Center of Documentation has made its extensive library database of
documents available on-line. The center contains a large number of
books and documents about civil protection, civil defense, protection
against disasters and emergencies, disaster aid, protection of
cultural heritage etc. The managers of this site state that "the
borrowing of books and documents as well as the establishment of
copies are free of charge."
http://www.ignoudismgtconf.org/
Earlier this week, the Indira Gandhi National Open University
(IGNOU) hosted the "International Conference on Disaster Management:
Cooperative Networking in South Asia" in New Delhi. The conference Web
site now includes dozens of papers on many aspects of disaster
management in Asia.
http://www.cla.sc.edu/geog/faculty/carbone/tropcycl/index.html
The destructive power of a tropical cyclone instills fear in
those in its path and intrigues atmospheric scientists interested in
its dynamics. This Web site guides the viewer through the formation,
structure, energy, and movement of tropical cyclones by using
sketches, radar and satellite imagery, and animations.
http://www.fema.gov/nwz99/y2k1203.htm
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made the
popular Y2K and You booklet available in Spanish, Braille, and audio
formats. The booklet in Spanish and in audio is available from the
FEMA Web site. The Braille version is being sent to key organizations
across the country to maximize its availability to visually impaired
readers. FEMA worked with the President's Council on Y2K Conversion
and the Federal Trade Commission to publish this 32-page guide, which
includes sections on important Y2K-related issues in such areas as
utilities, personal finance, food and fuel, health, and travel.
December Partner-led Round Table Discussions:
On Wednesday, November 17, 1999, at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fall Meeting in New Orleans, NFPA 1600 - the "Standard On Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs" - was approved by the NFPA membership.
"This standard establishes a common set of criteria for disaster management, emergency management, and business continuity programs . . . The purpose of this standard is to provide those with the responsibility for disaster/emergency management and business continuity the criteria to assess current programs or to develop, implement, and maintain a program to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and emergencies."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), and the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) are seriously considering endorsement of this standard.
The standard will be formally issued by NFPA after the NFPA Standards Council meeting in January 2000. At that time, the standard will be printed, and it will be available for distribution in April 2000. As with other standards, NFPA 1600 will join the family of voluntary codes and standards (approximately 300) that are available for adoption by federal, state, and local entities as well as the private sector. NFPA will continuously monitor the adoption and usage of the standard, and the NFPA Disaster Management Committee will re-examine its contents and evaluate its usage over the next 3-5 years and make any appropriate changes, revisions, or additions.
Specific subject matter addressed in NFPA 1600 includes:
consists of individuals from both the public and private sectors. For more information on NFPA 1600, please contact NFPA 1600 staff liaison Martha Curtis at (617) 984-7496 or see the NFPA Web site: http://www.nfpa.org.
Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2000, or until
position is filled, and should include a statement of qualifications,
resume, copies of transcripts, and contact information for three
references. Applications should be submitted to:
Dr. Mary Ann Rollans, Dean
School of Community Education
Dean Hall 110
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR 72801-2222
(501) 968-0234
The successful applicants must match one of the substantive fields and at least one of the skill areas listed above. One successful candidate must be qualified in GIS applications in planning, and one will be expected to lead the school's development of computer-based methods in teaching, research, and professional practice, including overseeing the school's computer teaching lab. Typical applicants might match the following descriptions, although we emphasize that we are inviting applications from individuals whose CVs reflect other combinations of the desired disciplines and abilities:
[Note: The correspondent who forwarded this notice to us indicated that "suitable candidates could be researchers in disaster preparedness. There is a strong emphasis on research in Asia, especially in capacity building in third world countries." -- ed.]
Successful applicants will be expected to teach graduate-level courses in their areas of specialization, to supervise graduate student thesis research, and otherwise to participate in the development of the school's teaching and research program. Applicants should have a doctoral degree in planning or an appropriate related field. Preference will be given to candidates with solid disciplinary roots, and demonstrated achievement or potential in interdisciplinary teaching, research, and practice.
Applications must include a letter of application stating career objectives, assessment of experience and achievements, approach to teaching, and research goals. Please also include a current curriculum vitae, your Web site address if you have one, and the names and contact information (including e-mail addresses) of three possible referees. The first stage of the selection review will be based on applicants' letters of application and CVs. Referees will be contacted for short-listed candidates only. Complete applications are due by January 15, 2000.
All applicants are invited to visit the SCARP Web site: http://www.interchg.ubc.ca/plan/scarp.html.
Applications should be sent to:
Anthony H.J. (Tony) Dorcey
Director, UBC School of Community and Regional Planning
6333 Memorial Road
Vancouver, BC
Canada V6T 1Z2
The overarching goal of this program is to develop and demonstrate new approaches that investigate or validate well-formed hypotheses or models regarding the interaction of climate variability and human health. This program is intended to support the formation of multidisciplinary teams that will uncover ways in which climate affects health and that explore the potential for applying climate forecast information in the public health arena. Research proposals may focus on adaptation or vulnerability of human and public health systems to climate variability, or economic analyses of using predictive climate information. Research teams are encouraged to involve end-users from the public health arena and to address the means by which their research re
sults can be used by public health policy and decision makers. Pre-proposals are due December 17, 1999; final submissions, March 3, 2000. Proposals may be for up to $150,000 per year for up to three years. The full joint announcement may be found at http://www.ogp.noaa.gov. Points of contact are listed in the announcement. Persons unable to access the Web, can call Irma duPree, (301) 427-2089, ext. 107, for assistance.
The comprehensive study requires seven major tasks be accomplished: 1) selection of a representative sample of 30 NPS units to be included in the comprehensive study, 2) a review of the research literature relevant to visitor safety and risk communication, 3) a risk analysis of available NPS visitor accident data, 4) an inventory of risk conditions currently found in the 30 NPS units, 5) a survey of visitors at the 30 NPS units, 6) a synthesis of the literature review, accident data analysis, inventory of risk conditions, and visitor survey data into a technical report on visitor risk, and 7) participation in workshops with NPS managers in Washington, D.C., to learn about NPS managers' visitor safety concerns and to report preliminary results or progress.
The research project will be awarded as a subcontract, funded through the existing Cooperative Agreement between the NPS and the University of Idaho Cooperative Park Studies Unit (CPSU), and managed by the NPS Social Science Program. The cost is expected to be within the range of $210,000 to $250,000 including all overhead charges.
A copy of the full Request for Proposals (RFP) packet is required to prepare a competitive proposal. Copies of the RFP packet can be sent by surface mail only (they are not available electronically or by express courier service), and can be requested by contacting Sandy Watson by phone: (208) 885-7054; fax: (208) 885-4261; or e-mail: swatson@uidaho.edu.
Proposals must be received no later than January 13, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.
The ABC of Business Continuity Planning. Offered by the Survive Business Continuity Group. New York City: December 13-15, 1999. Contact: Survive Secretariat, The Chapel, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building, Fitzhugh Grove, London SW18 3SX, U.K.; tel: 01144 181 870 0048; toll free: 011800 SURVIVE 5; fax: 01144 181 874 6446; e-mail: survive@survive.com; WWW: http://www.survive.com.
Living with Natural Hazards: CALAR (Concerted Action on Forecasting, Prevention and Reduction of Landslide and Avalanche Risks) Conference on Avalanches, Landslides, Rock Falls, Debris Flows. Vienna, Austria: January 17-19, 2000. Contact: Conference Secretariat, c/o Arsenal Research, CALAR - Living with Natural Hazards; tel: +43-1-797 47 544; fax: +43-1-797 47 588; e-mail: schwab.e@arsenal.ac.at; WWW: http://www.geoforum.com/contacts/events/guide/calar/ -or- http://www.swedgeo.se/calar/index.htm.
Strategic Planning and Implementation for Managers of Business Continuity and Restoration Programs. Offered by: University of California-Berkeley Extension. San Francisco, California: February 28- March 3, 2000. Contact: John Laye, Contingency Management Consultants; tel: (925) 631-0400; fax: (925) 631-0403; e-mail: johnlaye@aol.com.
Spring World 2000: The 11th Annual Corporate Contingency Planning Seminar and Exhibition. Sponsored by: DRI International, "Disaster Recovery Journal," and many others. San Diego, California: March 19- 22, 2000. Contact: Conference Registrar, P.O. Box 510110, St. Louis, MO 63151; (314) 894-0276; fax: (314) 894-7474.
Thirteenth Annual International Disaster Management Course. Offered
by: Disaster Management Centre, Cranfield University. Faringdon,
Oxfordshire, U.K.: July 25-August 24, 2000. Contact: Administrator,
Disaster Management Centre, Cranfield University, RMCS, Shrivenham,
Swindon, Wiltshire SN6 8LA, U.K.; tel: +44 1793 785287; fax: +44 1793
785883; e-mail: disprep@rmcs.cranfield.ac.uk; WWW:
http://www.rmcs.cranfield.ac.uk/departments/ddmsa/dmc/dmc.htm;
- followed by -
Training of Trainers for Disaster Management Course. Shrivenham,
Swindon, U.K.: August 28-September 1, 2000. Contact the address above.
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