To confront this problem, this week the World Bank is launching the ProVention Consortium, a global partnership of government agencies, international organizations, academic institutions, private businesses, private citizens, and other interested groups, aimed at reducing disaster risk in developing countries and making disaster prevention and mitigation an integral part of development initiatives.
Developing countries bear, by far, the greatest costs wrought by natural disasters, while having minimal resources to respond effectively. The economic cost of natural disasters can be twenty times higher, as a proportion of gross domestic product, for developing countries than for industrialized nations, and that economic impact pales compared to the destruction of lives and institutions. Currently, 96% of deaths caused by natural disasters occur in developing countries. Moreover, between disasters, developing nations often lack state-of-the art technical and scientific expertise to prevent or reduce future devastation.
The people and nations of the world have traditionally responded generously and aided poorer nations struck by disaster, but the World Bank has recognized that this same passion and unity must be harnessed to reduce these devastating losses before they occur. That is precisely the purpose of the ProVention Consortium. The Consortium's objectives are straightforward:
More information about the Provention Consortium is available from the World Bank Web site: http://www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/urban/provention/index.html.
Interested persons can also contact Alcira Kreimer or Margaret Arnold, Disaster Management Facility, World Bank, 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20433; (202) 473-1378; fax: (202) 522-3224 or (202) 522-2125; e-mail: DMF@worldbank.org.
After the visit, however, a number of communities that had done extensive planning experienced emergencies. They found that they were relatively well prepared because in planning for the Pope's visit they had gotten to know persons in other emergency agencies and had worked together sharing goals and coordinating plans.
It seems to me that the planning for Y2K went far beyond what was done for the visit of His Holiness (partly because of increased sophistication of technology). I would suggest that it is reasonable to infer that there has been an enormous increase in the effectiveness of emergency planning thanks to Y2K and that the results will show in upcoming incidents.
Just to illustrate this effect in my own community: In the Regional Municipality of Ottawa Carleton, the first emergency ever was the 1998 ice storms that led to 65 declarations of emergency in communities in eastern Ontario, including one by the Region and others by 10 of the 11 local municipalities that make up the Region. When questioned about the effectiveness of planning for Y2K, regional officials mentioned time and again how useful the experience of the ice storm had been. I conducted a post-event analysis immediately following the storm and was impressed by the fact that some of the weak spots at the time of the ice storm had been corrected and were not potential weak spots during Y2K.
I think it would be interesting and beneficial for those of us who monitor emergency response to see whether there are similar payoffs, due to Y2K planning, in incidents over the next year. It would be very interesting if emergency officials and researchers would examine, when they have an emergency, whether Y2K planning had any effect on what happened and if so what that effect was.
If persons are willing to share those insights with me (either with attribution or anonymously) I would be willing to try to assemble that data - let's say a year from now - and determine whether there is supporting evidence for my hypothesis.
Joe Scanlon
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
E-mail: jscanlon@ccs.carleton.ca
I hope you can help me to contact the right people, and perhaps supply me with some written material (reports about such incidents, or agreements between authorities and broadcasting companies).
Thank you,
Sara Morge, for the National Board of Psychological Defence (Sweden)
Tel: 0046 (0)17141 22 03
Fax: 0046 (0)17141 22 03
E-mail: sara.morge@telia.com
It has two main elements. The first is looking at how so-called 'natural' disasters and people's vulnerability to them are taught within the National Curriculum of England and Wales. The second is examining the potential to improve teaching and resources. The project has produced Teaching about Disasters: A Report and Resource List for Teachers by Ali Brownlie. The report looks at the extent to which disasters are taught in secondary schools (principally in the subject areas of geography, science, and design & technology), examines the potential for their further incorporation within the revised National Curriculum, and audits the materials and resources currently available to teachers and the contexts within which they are used. It also contains a list of organisations to contact, useful web sites and publishers' addresses. The resource list has details of printed materials, videos, and CD-ROMs suitable for teaching at Key Stages 3 and 4, and at A-level.
You can now download copies of the document from the web site of the Benfield Greig Hazard Research Centre: http://www.bghrc.com/DMU/teach.htm
Dr John Twigg
Benfield Greig Hazard Research Centre
Department of Geological Sciences
University College London
Gower Street
London WC1E 6BT
UK
Tel: +44-(0)171-504-2436
E-mail: j.twigg@ucl.ac.uk
WWW: http://www.bghrc.com
As an emergency planner, I'm working on an animal emergency response plan for Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. I'm looking for samples/examples/lessons learned from other planning agencies and animal welfare agencies around the United States.
All types of animal situations need to be addressed in my area of southeastern Pennsylvania: companion animals, farm animals, work animals, competition animals (race horses), rodeo animals, animal hospitals and boarding facilities, sheltered animals, (i.e., zoos, etc.), pet shops, feral animal populations, research and breeding colonies, etc. The Red Cross does not allow animals into shelters, and there are many reasons for moving/relocating/evacuating animals. Two easy examples: Evacuation of a human population due to a chemical or radiological problem; or human population sheltering due to a widespread power outage such as [recently took] place in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Who then will feed/water/etc. the animal population?
Any and all suggestions will be appreciated, and I'll provide a copy of our plan when it's completed to all contributors if requested.
David Millendorf
Montgomery County PA Office of Emergency Preparedness
50 Eagleville Road
Eagleville, PA 19403
(610) 631-6524
Fax: (610) 631-6536
E-mail: Montcooep@AOL.COM
To nominate a scholar for this award, copies of the dissertation and a nominating letter from someone familiar with the dissertation's contribution to disaster research, or a letter of endorsement from the supervisor of the dissertation, should be sent to each committee member listed below. In either case, the letter should provide the title, date, and discipline of the dissertation, should indicate consent of the scholar, and provide an address to which the committee can address further correspondence. The committee chair will acknowledge receipt of a submission and will outline the procedures followed by the committee.
Committee members:
Neil R. Britton (Chair)
Ministry for Emergency Management
c/o P.O. Box 11-388
Wellington, New Zealand
E-mail: neil.britton@dia.govt.nz
Kenneth Hewitt
Department of Geography
Wilfred Laurier University
Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5
Peter May
Department of Political Science
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
USA
The firm has an opening for an intern in planning, public administration, or a related field. It is expected that 20%-25% of the intern's time will involve learning about floodplain management, the National Flood Insurance Program, the Community Rating System, and related fields and programs. This will be done through background reading, short courses, seminars, and conferences. The balance of the time will be spent working on projects, mostly for Chicago-area communities.
The internship would pay expenses for the short courses and conferences. It would also pay a salary for time spent on billable projects. Salary to be determined, depending on experience and skills. This is a position for someone who wants to learn about and gain experience in floodplain management and local government administration. The person will be expected to work some evenings and to perform some basic office work.
The internship is for the spring semester or summer, 2000. The intern must be able to work out of a south Chicago suburban location. Minimum qualifications:
Desirable qualifications:
A formal application will be required, including:
A face-to-face interview will also be conducted in Park Forest.
Tufts University seeks a full-time professional with specialization in science (for example, biology, nutrition, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, medicine, indigenous medicine or related discipline) to start in September 2000. The Henry R. Luce Professorship is a tenure track position in the Department of Biology of the School of Arts and Sciences and a research position in the Feinstein International Famine Center of the School of Nutrition Science and Policy.
Qualifications:
Required:
Doctoral degree
A strong record of research productivity and publications, significant
reports, case studies, and/or evaluations related to issues of basic
science and/or technology in the context of humanitarian assistance.
A commitment to a multidisciplinary approach in addressing these
issues and a broad conceptual understanding of the fields.
Preferred:
Significant professional experience in the practice and policies of
humanitarian emergencies; broad-based approach to creative problem-
solving using knowledge of science and technology. A track record as a
teacher, adviser, and mentor to undergraduate and/or graduate
students.
Responsibilities:
In the Biology Department, teach an undergraduate, introductory,
interdisciplinary course in the application of science to humanitarian
studies and an advanced level course in the candidate's field of
specialty. Expand scientific discourse to include humanitarian issues,
integrating a number of disciplines that bear on humanitarian studies.
With the Feinstein International Famine Center, develop and conduct a program of independent research and publication in science and humanitarian studies, with a view towards translating scientific research to impact humanitarian interventions. With the Director of the Feinstein International Famine Center develop and coordinate the Luce Professorship program on science and humanitarianism for undergraduates. Spearhead a program to place a limited number of undergraduates in humanitarian situations during the summer months.
The biology department's Web site is http://www.tufts.edu/as/biology; the Famine Center's site is http://www.tufts.edu/nutrition/.
Applicants should submit a curriculum vita, three recent publications, separate short statements of 1) research interests, 2) teaching experience and plans, and 3) experience in the field of science and humanitarian interventions, and three letters of recommendation. These should be sent to Search Committee Chair, Henry R. Luce Professor Search Committee, Feinstein International Famine Center, 96 Packard Avenue, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155. Inquiries and applications can be e-mailed to misty.smalley@tufts.edu. Review of applications began January 4, 2000 and will continue until the position is filled.
IRIS is currently seeking student interns for summer employment. The deadline for applications from potential interns or IRIS researchers wishing to host an intern is February 15.
The goal of this program is to involve undergraduates in seismological research projects at the universities and research institutions that belong to the IRIS Consortium. Research projects may involve deployment of seismic instruments in the field (within the U.S. or internationally) or analysis of seismic data in a lab setting (including evaluation of seismic hazards).
Details are available from http://www.iris.washington.edu/EandO/internships.html. Additional questions should be directed to Dr. Catherine Johnson, Education and Outreach Program Manager, IRIS, 1200 New York Avenue, #800, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 682 2220; fax: (202) 682 2444; e-mail: catherine@iris.edu; WWW: http://www.iris.washington.edu/EandO/internships.html.
http://www.oep.dhhs.gov
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of
Emergency Preparedness (OEP) has responsibility for managing and
coordinating federal health, medical, and health-related social
services and recovery to major emergencies and federally declared
disasters. Working in partnership with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies, OEP serves as the
lead agency for health and medical services within the Federal
Response Plan. OEP also directs and manages the National Disaster
Medical System (NDMS) - a cooperative asset-sharing partnership among
HHS, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs,
FEMA, state and local governments, private businesses, and civilian
volunteers. The OEP Web site provides background information about the
office and the NDMS system, as well as contacts, links, and
information about the annual NDMS conference.
http://members.spree.com/education/helpu
The members of HELPU are all disabled citizens residing within
the Commonwealth of Virginia. The organization provides information
and services to all members of the disabled community, their
care-givers, attendants, fire and rescue personnel, and emergency
services departments. The HELPU Web site offers numerous pages on
various aspects of fire and disaster safety and mitigation for
disabled persons. For more information about this organization,
contact HELPU Fire and Life Safety, 1409B North Mt. Vernon Avenue,
Williamsburg, VA 23185-2819; (757) 221-0542; fax: (757) 221-8377;
e-mail: helpu@visi.net.
The GSHAP map and all associated documentation, including regional reports, maps of seismicity, source characterization information, and GSHAP yearly reports are available via the Internet through the GSHAP homepage: http://seismo.ethz.ch/GSHAP/.
While supplies last, free copies of the Global Seismic Hazard Map may be obtained from:
Swiss Seismological Service
ETH Hoenggerberg
8093 Zurich - Switzerland
E-mail: sed@seismo.ifg.ethz.ch
USGS/CRGHT
MS 966 Box 25046
Denver, CO 80225
USA
E-mail: gshapmap@usgs.gov
Please include your mailing address in your correspondence.
Toxic Turmoil: Psychological and Societal Consequences of Ecological Disasters. Sponsors: Utrecht University and others. Utrecht, The Netherlands: March 17, 2000. Contact: Ms. Jorunn Labordus, FBU Congress Bureau, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80.125, NL-3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands: tel: +31 30 253 2728; fax: +31 30 253 5851; e-mail: j.labordus@fbu.uu.nl.
U.S.-Japan Workshop on the Effects of Near-Field Earthquake Shaking. Sponsors: Applied Technology Council (ATC); Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center; Japanese Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture; and the National Science Foundation. San Francisco, California: March 20-21, 2000. Contact: ATC, 555 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 550, Redwood City, CA 94065; (650) 595-1542; fax: (650) 593-2320; e-mail: atc@atcouncil.org.
Total Business Continuity for the 21st Century. Offered by: Survive Business Continuity Group. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: March 28-30, 2000; pre-conference workshop, March 27, 2000. Contact: Survive Business Continuity Group International, 123 East 54th Street, New York, NY 10022; (212) 371-8320; e-mail: survive@survive.com; WWW: http://www.survive.com.
"Partners in Emergency Preparedness 2000" Conference. Bellevue, Washington: April 25-26, 2000. See http://hrs.crgnet.com/wwen, or contact: Shad Burcham, King County Office of Emergency Management, 7300 Peremiter Road South, Seattle, WA 98018-3848; (206) 205-8106; fax: (206) 296-3838; e-mail: shad.burcham@metrokc.gov.
Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) West Region Annual Conference. Portland, Oregon: May 15-17. Abstracts are currently being solicited. Contact: ASDSO, 450 Old Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507; (606) 257-5140; fax: (606) 323-1958; e-mail: damsafety@aol.com; WWW: http://www.damsafety.org or http://members.aol.com/damsafety/homepage.htm.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Forensics 2000 Conference. Includes the pre-conference workshop: "Potential Disaster Assessment 101" that will examine the recent Turkey and Taiwan earthquakes. San Juan, Puerto Rico: May 21-24, 2000. On the World Wide Web, see: http://www.asce.org/conferences/forensics, or contact: ASCE World Headquarters, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191-4400; (800) 548-2723 or (703) 295-6300 [outside the US]; fax: (703) 295-6144.
American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2000 Spring Meeting. Washington, D.C.: May 30-June 3, 2000. The spring AGU meeting includes a symposium entitled "Earth Sciences in the Cities" that will examine inter- relationships among natural processes, the urban environment, and urban populations. The symposium will highlight current geosciences contributions to the urban issues of disaster mitigation, environmental degradation, and planning, and the organizers seek contributions from pertinent disciplines. Interested persons should contact the convenors: Grant Heiken, MS F665, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545; (505) 667-8477; fax: (505) 665-3687; e-mail: heiken@lanl.gov or Robert Fakundiny, New York State Geological Survey, CEC 3140, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, 12230; (518) 474-5816; e-mail: rfakundi@mail.nysed.gov. More information about the entire AGU Spring Meeting is available from: AGU Meetings Department, 2000 Florida Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20009; (800) 966-2481 or (202) 462-6900; fax: (202) 328-0566; e-mail: meetinginfo@agu.org; WWW: http://www.agu.org.
Reaching Women and Children in Disaster: A Global Workshop for Policy Makers, Practitioners, and Researchers. Miami, Florida: June 3-6, 2000. Contact: Betty Morrow, International Hurricane Center, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199; (305) 348-1607; fax: (305) 385-7364; e-mail: morrowb@fiu.edu; WWW: http://www.anglia.ac.uk/geography/rwcidconference.
Management of Complex Humanitarian Emergencies: Focus on Children and Families. Case Western University, Cleveland, Ohio: June 19-23, 2000. Contact: Joan.Farmer@uhhs.com.
American Sociological Association Conference. Washington, D.C.: August 12-16, 2000. The International Sociological Association Research Committee will host a session on "Feminist Theories and Approaches to Disaster." The organizers are seeking papers that focus on the contributions of feminist theories and methods to disaster research and response. Interested persons should send an outline of their paper (complete paper if available) and CV to Betty Morrow, Co-Director, Lab for Social and Behavioral Research, International Hurricane Center, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199; e-mail: morrowb@fiu.edu. Deadline: February 28.
International Public Works Congress and Exposition.
- Louisville, Kentucky: September 10-13, 2000
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: September 9-12, 2001
- Kansas City, Missouri: September 22-25, 2002
Includes educational sessions on emergency management issues. Contact:
American Public Works Association, 2345 Grand Boulevard, Suite 500,
Kansas City, MO 64108-2641; (816) 472-6100; fax: (816) 472-1610;
e-mail: apwa@apwa.net; WWW:
http://www.apwa.net/conferences/congress00.htm.
Dam Safety 2000: Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) Annual Conference. Providence, Rhode Island: September 26-29, 2000. Abstracts due March 1. 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://www.damsafety.org or http://members.aol.com/damsafety/homepage.htm.
Fifth Asia-Pacific Conference on Wind Engineering (APCWE V). Kyoto, Japan: October 21-24, 2001. Contact: Dr. H. Shirato, General Secretary of APCWE V, Department of Global Environment Engineering, Kyoto University, Yoshida Mon-machi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; tel: 81-75-753-5092; fax: 81-75-761-0646; e-mail: Shirato@brdgeng.gee.kyoto-u.ac.jp.
Twelfth European Conference on Earthquake Engineering. London, U.K.: September 2002. Contact: Liz Marwood, The Society for Earthquake and Civil Engineering Dynamics, The Institution of Civil Engineers, One Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3AA, U.K.; tel: 0171-665-2238 or 0171-222-7722; fax: 0171-799-1325; e-mail: Marwood_L@ice.org.uk; WWW: http://www.bham.ac.uk/CivEng/seced/12ecee01.htm.
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