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Environment Canada, along with Emergency Preparedness Canada and the Geological Survey of Canada are in the initial stages of preparing an assessment of knowledge on, and research of, natural hazards and disasters in Canada. In many ways, this assessment is expected to be similar to the one led by Dennis Mileti at the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder, which resulted in the book, Disasters by Design: A Reassessment of Natural Hazards in the United States.
A first workshop is going to be held in Toronto on May 11-12, 2000, the purpose of which is to create a common vision of the nature of the assessment, develop a table of contents and to assign a variety of responsibilities to the participants. This will include the identification of lead authors and contributors, chapter organizers, editors, etc. It is expected that the project will take approximately three years to complete.
Though the phrase "natural" is used, it is understood by the organizers of this project that while the triggers of disasters are of natural origin, vulnerability is largely socioeconomic in nature. It must be emphasized that this is a cross-sectoral multidisciplinary exercise. All the important natural hazards will be included in the assessment, including hydrometeorological (e.g. floods, droughts, winter storms) and geophysical (e.g. earthquakes, landslides).
The purpose of this note is to identify those interested in attending this workshop and making a contribution to the assessment. It is assumed that all workshop participants will be able to accept some level of responsibility within the assessment process. Limited funding is available for travel, for nongovernment participants.
If you would like to attend, or wish more information, please contact:
David Etkin
Adaptation and Impacts Research Group, University of Toronto
Environment Canada
33 Willcocks Street #1016V
Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3E8
Canada
(416) 978-6310
Fax: (416) 978-3884
E-mail: david.etkin@ec.gc.ca
WWW: http://www1.tor.ec.gc.ca/airg
I am undertaking some research on natural hazards and cellular/PCS service and was wondering if anyone can assist me. For the current study, I'm trying to initially focus on three hazard types - earthquakes, floods, and extreme weather events. In my search for material, I've found that there doesn't appear to be much research undertaken (or at least published) to document issues and solutions for operation of such facilities under emergency or disaster conditions, especially when such facilities themselves are impacted by the same hazard event.
I began the research about 10 weeks ago and am hoping to complete it by mid-March - at least a preliminary study. The research project is guided by the following objectives:
Regards,
Peter Anderson
Director, Telematics Research Lab
Simon Fraser University
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, B.C.
Canada V5A 1S6
Tel: 604-291-4921
Fax: 604-465-8797
E-mail: anderson@sfu.ca
On my Web page - http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Pool/7533/index.html - I have installed an on-line questionnaire about SAR procedures after such an event. If you have been involved in SAR operations in a collapsed building, please visit this site and fill out the questionnaire. If you don't want to fill it out on-line, you can also download an MS Word or Adobe Acrobat document and send it via post.
Many thanks,
Jochen Berndt
E-mail: jochberndt@yahoo.de
http://www.eeri.org
The Web site of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
(EERI) provides information both on recent seismic events and on
seismic-resistant construction and hazard mitigation generally. The
site recently added a special report on The Chi-Chi, Taiwan
Earthquake of September 21, 1999 - including a paper by James D.
Goltz entitled "The '921' Chi-Chi, Taiwan Earthquake of September 21,
1999: Societal Impacts and Emergency Response." The site also offers
Research Needs Emerging from Recent Earthquakes - recommendations
from a workshop organized by EERI for the National Science Foundation
to explore needs emerging from the Turkey, Greece, and Taiwan quakes
of last fall.
http://www.redcross.org/disaster/masters
The American Red Cross has undertaken a project to assemble
"Masters of Disaster" curriculum components to help teachers integrate
disaster safety into their regular lesson plans. For example, if a
teacher needs to teach how to plot latitude and longitude on a map, he
or she can offer a lesson on how to track a hurricane. Similarly, a
teacher teaching word recognition and decoding can use Masters of
Disaster flood, tornado, or earthquake activities. Information about
this new resource from the American Red Cross is available from the
Web site above.
The Masters of Disaster materials are being designed to be flexible, so that teaching teams can integrate hazard-related lessons into the core academic subjects of science, math, social studies, and language arts (including reading, word comprehension, and spelling). Hazard-safety content will be available for teachers to use to supplement the lessons they will be teaching.
The curriculum components will include a teacher's guide for lower elementary (K-2), upper elementary (3-5), and middle school (6-8), as well as numerous other teaching materials. The topics covered will include general disaster safety (such as a family disaster plan, disaster supplies, home hazard hunt), earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and lightning.
Masters of Disaster is in the final stages of development, and the Red Cross anticipates releasing it in the summer of 2000. Check the Web site above for details about availability and ordering. The site also includes a form for submitting or requesting information about the Masters of Disaster curriculum aids.
http://www.epa.gov/ceppo
http://www.epa.gov/ceppo/pubs/web-3.htm
Not surprisingly, the Web site of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention
Office provides much information about how to deal with chemical and
other toxic material emergencies. One of the latest additions to the
site is a summary of an address by Tim Fields, Assistant Administrator
of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, that deals with
the inter-relationships between the National Contingency Plan and the
Federal Response Plan. The speech, delivered at the Public Private
Partnership 2000 Conference, "When Natural and Industrial Disasters
Collide," in October 1999, recognizes the increasing complexity of
disasters in modern society and the need to coordinate responses to
natural and concomitant technological disasters.
http://www.paho.org/spanish/ped/pednew.htm
PAHO's Emergency Preparedness Program has released a new
publication: Fundamentos Para la Mitigacion de Desastres en
Establecimientos de Salud (Disaster Mitigation Fundamentals for
Health Facilities). The book is an updated compendium of various past
publications on this subject, providing the basics for conducting
vulnerability studies and more importantly, for applying practical
mitigation measures in hospitals. It is directed at a varied audience
and does not go into extensive technical detail; however it does cover
the major problems associated with earthquakes. The publication is
currently available only in Spanish and may be viewed, printed, or
downloaded from the Web page above. An English version will be
available in a few months.
scott.welch@pepperdine.edu
Scott Welch, a student at Pepperdine University, recently
completed a masters thesis on the role of the U.S. Marine Corps in
relief operations in the 20th century. Electronic copies can be
obtained from the author by e-mailing the address above.
The successful candidate will work with a CIRA research scientist and NWS management to document the process and effectiveness of the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services (AHPS) demonstration project for a wide range of stakeholders. AHPS provides information from the NWS local weather forecast offices on a range of water-related areas including drought, river flows, flooding, and flash flooding.
Position requirements include a masters degree in sociology, geography, public administration, or related field, as well as a working knowledge of and ability to effectively conduct social science research. For the complete position requirements, project background, description of duties, conditions of employment, and application procedures, see: http://www.cira.colostate.edu (Job Opportunities), or contact CIRA/CSU, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1375; (970) 491-8448. Application deadline is February 15, 2000. Colorado State University is an EEO/AA employer.
Additional information is also available from Dr. Christopher R. Adams, Social and Economic Impacts Team Leader, CIRA, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1375; (970) 491-3899; e-mail: adams@cira.colostate.edu.
To apply, submit a letter of application (with specific reference to position #00-101), curriculum vitae, names of three references, and samples of writing to Professor Thomas H. Vonder Haar, Director, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), Colorado State University, Foothills Campus, Fort Collins, CO 80523; (970) 491-8448.
The center involves over 40 investigators at more than a dozen institutions with an annual budget in excess of $2 million. Interested persons can learn about the center on the Web at: http://www.hdgc.epp.cmu.edu.
The successful candidate will work closely with Granger Morgan, Terry Jones, and Hadi Dowlatabadi and will be largely responsible for the center's day-to-day management and outreach activities. Management will likely occupy 30 to 50% of the effort for this position. There are periods of intense activity when proposals are due and meetings are held.
Outreach will likely occupy between 20 and 50% of the effort for this position. These activities include maintaining the center's presence in print and on the Web, organizing seminars and public lectures, and conducting other possible projects to develop textbooks for K-12 and university students on the human dimensions of global change.
Beyond these tasks, the successful candidate is encouraged to engage in research and teaching within the center's areas of interest.
The successful candidate should be an accomplished manager; a Ph.D. is not required. Candidates with a desire to pursue an academic career are also welcome and, depending on their track record, could be hired into the research faculty track at CMU.
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, sample
writings, a CV, and contact information for three references,
preferably in electronic form, to:
Hadi Dowlatabadi
Center for Integrated Study of the Human Dimensions of Global Change
Department of Engineering and Public Policy
Carnegie Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890
Tel: (412) 268-3031
Fax: (412) 268-3757
E-mail: hadi@cmu.edu
WWW: http://www.hdgc.epp.cmu.edu
The IHDP (International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change) and START (Global Change SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training) would like to announce a call for applications for the second biannual International Human Dimensions Workshop for young developing country scientists. Applicants must be developing country nationals and 40 years of age or younger.
The workshop will take place September 10-22, 2000, in Bonn, Germany. The theme for the workshop will be "Human Dimensions Issues in the Coastal Zone". Deadline date for applications is April 10, 2000. All those selected to participate will be fully funded by IHDP, START and several other donors.
For more information and to obtain the application form, go to the
following Web address: http://www.uni-bonn.de/ihdp/IHDW2000.htm
or
contact Ms. Ramine V. Shaw, IHDW Organising Committee, International
Science Project Coordinator, IHDP, Walter-Flex-Str. 3, 53113, Bonn,
Germany; tel: +49-228-73 90 53; fax: +49-228-73 90 54; e-mail:
shaw.ihdp@uni-bonn.de.
Candidates should have a Ph.D. or an M.A. with relevant experience in environmental studies, environmental health, risk communication, and community health education. Experience in grants management and proposal preparation will be preferred. Salary: $ 38,000-$ 45,000 plus benefits.
The George Perkins Marsh Institute is dedicated to research on one of the most fundamental questions confronting humankind: What is and ought to be our relationship with nature? Built on a tradition of basic and applied research at Clark University on hazards and risks, the institute examines human-environment relationships across a wide range of research themes, including the human dimensions of global environmental change and the application of geographic information systems. The institute fosters interdisciplinary, team-based research that engages graduate students and research faculty in problem formulation and resolution.
Send resumes to Octavia Taylor, Manager, George Perkins Marsh Institute, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01602. Closing Date: January 31, 1999.
Students taking the Red Rocks' on-line courses can meet professional requirements or achieve an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Management and Planning or an Emergency Management Certificate. The program includes all seven courses required for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Professional Development Series Certificate.
The 60-credit-hour associate degree is geared toward new entrants into the emergency management field, while the certificate program, requiring 30 credit hours, is for current practitioners wanting to upgrade their skills. Being on the Internet, the courses are available to students anywhere.
Students interested in the Red Rocks Emergency Management distance learning courses can access a complete list of offerings and register for courses via the World Wide web at: http://www.ccconline.org/catalog/index.cfm.
Students can also register for courses by calling (303) 914-6360. The first session of the spring semester starts January 25, 2000, and the second session begins on February 29, 2000. To receive more information, including a comprehensive brochure, call (303) 914-6462; e-mail: EMP@rrcc.cccoes.edu; or fax: (303) 914-6803.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations state that a community must meet certain minimum requirements through their local floodplain ordinance to participate in the NFIP program. One of these requirements is that areas below the base flood elevation must be constructed with materials resistant to flood damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is sponsoring the development of the protocol, and state and local government agencies receive frequent inquiries regarding the suitability of specific products. In addition, current and proposed building codes also refer to the use of materials for flood-resistant construction. This protocol will establish common measures by which these various institutions can evaluate building materials.
Comments on the protocol are requested and should be received by February 18, 2000. They should be directed to Steve Thorsell, National Evaluation Service-IL, 4051 West Flossmoor Road, Country Club Hills, IL 60478-5795; e-mail: sthorsel@bocai.org.
Copies of the protocol are available from http://www.nateval.org or by contacting the address above.
In the meantime, the 1999 Best Practices database is available on CD-ROM. A joint product of UNCHS (Habitat), the Together Foundation, and BLP Partners, the database presents over 650 good and best practices and many video clips and other graphic material. It is searchable by subject, region, country, ecosystem, and keyword. The database is a valuable resource for practicing professionals, policy makers, researchers, and the media. To purchase the CD-ROM, contact the Together Foundation at: info@together.org. The cost is $69.95.
National Drought Policy Commission Public Hearing. Austin, Texas: January 25, 2000. Contact: Leona Dittus, Executive Director, National Drought Policy Commission, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 6701-S, Stop 0501, Washington, DC 20250-0501; (202) 720-3168; fax: (202) 720-9688; e-mail: leona.dittus@usda.gov.
Cascadia Quakes - a Tricentennial Exposition. Sponsors: U.S. Geological Survey and University of Washington Geophysics Program. Seattle, Washington: January 26, 2000. Contact: Seismology Lab, University of Washington, Geophysics Program Box 351650, Seattle, WA 98195-1650; (206) 685-8180; e-mail: seis_info@geophys.washington.edu; WWW: http://www.geophys.washington.edu/SEIS.
Drought Forum (a one-day workshop to explore drought and its effects). Sponsors: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Silver Spring, Maryland: February 17, 2000. Contact: Linda Kremkau, NOAA/National Weather Service; (301) 713-0091, ext. 118; e-mail: linda.kremkau@noaa.gov.
Uncertainty: Its Nature, Analytical Treatment, and Interpretation. Sponsors: Society for Risk Analysis (SRA), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, and Electric Power Research Institute. Arlington, Virginia: February 10-11, 2000. The agenda and registration forms are available from http://www.sra.org/events.htm#workshop. Interested persons can also call SRA headquarters (703) 790-1745; or e-mail: sra@burkinc.com.
Public Health in Complex Emergencies Training Course. Sponsor:
Columbia University Joseph L. Mailman School of Public Health and
others.
Bangkok, Thailand: March 19-April 01, 2000
Neum, Bosnia-Herzegovina: June 04-17, 2000
Garden City, New York, USA: August 13-26, 2000
Uganda: November 2000 (specific dates and venue to be determined)
Contact: International Rescue Committee (IRC), Lorna Stevens,
Director, Health Training, 122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168;
(212) 551-3005; fax: (212) 551-3185; e-mail:
shortcourse@intrescom.org.
International Forum on Climate Prediction, Agriculture and Development. Palisades, New York: April 26-28, 2000. A preliminary agenda is available from http://iri.ldeo.columbia.edu/news/forum2000/agenda.html. Interested persons can also contact Ana Iglesias, Information Coordinator, International Forum on Climate Prediction, Agriculture and Development; fax: (212) 678 5648; e-mail: aiglesias@giss.nasa.gov; WWW: http://iri.ldeo.columbia.edu/news/forum2000/.
Summer Institute on Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Applications in the Americas. Sponsors: IAI and the Anthropological Center for Training and Research on Global Environmental Change (ACT), Indiana University. Bloomington, Indiana: June 5-23, 2000. The IAI will pay for the travel costs for two participants from IAI member countries in Latin America. These participants will also receive a modest stipend to cover housing and meal expenses from ACT/Indiana University. Applicants should send a letter of interest explaining how this training may contribute to their future work. Please also include background information and level of computer expertise. In addition, applications must include a curriculum vitae, two letters of reference, and examples of relevant work (articles, papers, or reports). Faculty, graduate students, and mid-career professionals may apply. Deadline for receipt of applications is February 15. Please mail all applications to Professor Emilio Moran, Co-Director/Professor Elinor Ostrom, Co-Director, CIPEC, 408 North Indiana Avenue, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA; (812) 855-2230; fax: (812) 855-2634; e-mail: cipec@indiana.edu; WWW: http://www.cipec.org.
Sixth International Conference on Seismic Zonation. Sponsor: Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI). Palm Springs, California: November 12-15, 2000. Theme presentations will be organized around six topics: new mapping technologies; new developments in hazard estimation; seismic hazard mapping for engineering and codes; seismic mapping planning and local government policy; financial risk management; and lifelines and utilities. Contributed papers will be presented in poster sessions to be held each day. The deadline for abstracts is February 1, 2000. Abstracts should be submitted electronically to http://www.eeri.org/6icszsubmit. For more information, contact: EERI, 499 14th Street, Suite 320, Oakland, CA 94612-1934; (510) 451-0905; fax: (510) 451- 5411; e-mail: eeri@eeri.org; WWW: http://www.eeri.org.
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