DISASTER RESEARCH 319

April 27, 2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS:


  1. Seeking Information on How to Measure Hazard Impacts

  2. Using Satellite Imagery and DEMs to Map Disasters: A New Quick Response Report from NHRAIC

  3. New Web Resources

  4. Reviewers Sought for Climate Change Report

  5. Help Wanted: FEMA

  6. SSA Seeks Papers on Taiwan Quake

  7. The EIIP Virtual Forum Schedule for May

  8. New Self-Study Courses from FEMA

  9. Conferences and Training


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

Seeking Information on How to Measure Hazard Impacts

First, some background information:
During the winter of 1996/97, a storm that impacted Oregon resulted in loss of life and property from several rapidly moving landslides (debris flows). As a result, a team of experts met to review historical, geological, and land-use information to better understand landslides in general. The team identified rapidly moving landslides (landslides that are difficult for people to outrun or escape) as an area on which to focus legislative attention.

In September 1999, Oregon Governor Kitzhaber signed Senate Bill 12 "believing it takes an important step toward addressing the public safety hazards associated with fast moving landslides," and in October 1999, Douglas County (for whom I work) submitted a grant application to implement a SB 12 model program within local government. In December 1999, the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) awarded the grant to Douglas County to develop the Rapidly Moving Landslide Project.

The Rapidly Moving Landslide Project will create the model program with assistance from various Oregon state agencies. In addition, assistance will be sought from local governments and public/ professional sources. The following is an outline of project goals:

Here's my question: When a hazard exists what standard should be used to evaluate the degree of "potential impact"?
  1. loss of life?
  2. fiscal loss?
  3. right of use loss?
  4. cultural loss?
  5. historical loss?
  6. or, impact on others (same list)?
Is there a ranking? And, what other items might be included?

Thanks for your help,
Les Wilson

Leslie C. Wilson
Rapidly Moving Landslide Program Manager
Douglas County Planning Department
Room 106, Justice Building
Douglas County Courthouse
Roseburg, OR 97470
Phone: (541) 440-4289
Fax: (541) 440-6266
E-mail: lcwilson@co.douglas.or.us
WWW: http://www.co.douglas.or.us


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

Using Satellite Imagery and DEMs to Map Disasters:
A New Quick Response Report from NHRAIC

The Natural Hazards Center has published yet another Quick Response report on the Web:
http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/qr/qr126/qr126.html
QR126: Hurricane Floyd Flood Mapping Integrating Landsat 7 TM Satellite Imagery and DEM Data, by Jeffrey D. Colby, Yong Wang, Karen Mulcahy, of East Carolina University.
The authors introduce their report stating, "Capturing the extent of flooding during an extreme event in an efficient manner is essential for response, recovery, and mitigation activities. An efficient and economical method for mapping flood extent in a coastal floodplain is described in this paper. The method was based on [satellite] images (acquired before and during the flood event) [integrated with] digital elevation model (DEM) data . . . The method proved to be reliable and could be applied quickly using data that are relatively inexpensive, easy to obtain, and easy to analyze."

A complete list of Quick Response reports is available at http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/qr/qr.html


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

New Web Resources

[Below are a few of the latest Internet resources we've discovered. For an extended list of selected Internet sites dealing with hazards and disasters, see http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/sites/sites.html]

http://www.doi.gov/nathaz/index.html
The U.S. Department of the Interior has devoted one portion of its Web site entirely to natural hazards, with sections on wildfires, volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, landslides, wildlife diseases, geogmagnetism, storms and tsunamis, and other hazards. For each topic, the site offers selected links - primarily to USGS Web pages - as well as a link to a "Fact Sheet" on the given subject.

http://www.nycem.org/default.asp
Recognizing the poor condition of the area's infrastructure and the lack of prior planning, a group of concerned organizations has banded together to form the New York Consortium for Earthquake Loss Mitigation (NYCEM - see DR #271). The group is developing a detailed seismic vulnerability study of the New York City region, which (surprisingly to some) has been assessed by the U.S. Geological Survey as moderately susceptible to seismic hazards. Sponsored principally by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and coordinated by the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER), the consortium's primary aim is to provide a basis for businesses, government, and other organizations to take actions to reduce possible damage and loss due to earthquakes and other natural hazards. The initial objective for 1999 was to determine risk in Manhattan below 59th Street. In the future, the project will examine the seismic hazard in other parts of the city and northern New Jersey. The NYCEM Web site provides background information on the project, a description of current research and education/outreach efforts, and several on- line technical documents, including an extensive bibliography on the economic effects of disasters on the New York City area.

http://state-of-coast.noaa.gov
In 1996, Vice President Al Gore challenged federal agencies to develop a "report card" on the state of the nation's environment. In response, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has created the State of the Coast Report provided at this Web site. The foundation of the report is a series of essays on important coastal issues; two of these essays are entitled "Population at Risk from Natural Hazards," and "Reducing the Impacts of Coastal Hazards." These thorough articles include overviews of the problem on a national scale, regional analyses, specific case studies, interviews with experts, suggested readings and references, and glossaries.

http://www.ericssonresponse.com/
Recognizing that they may have critical knowledge, insights, and expertise concerning disaster management, the Ericsson Corporation - specialists in advanced communication technology - have launched a major initiative in support of disaster response world wide. The company has stated, "As we have in the past, we will continue to provide communications aid. But we want to do more. To build knowledge about disasters and disaster response. To champion involvement of the global business sector in support of established relief organizations. To advance the development of new ideas and approaches to reducing human suffering caused by disasters." To further these goals, Ericsson has launched this highly interactive Web site, providing information and case studies, links to other resources, and various forums for the development of new options, new ideas to improve response, lessons learned, and new technologies.

http://www.nerc-bas.ac.uk/tsunami-risks/
The Tsunami Risks Project, based in the U.K., was launched to introduce the British insurance industry to tsunamis and the risks they pose and to quantify tsunami hazards be developing frequency- magnitude distributions and evaluations of direct and indirect insurance risks. The project is examining subjects ranging from how tsunamis are generated and how they propagate across the oceans; to the mechanisms by which they cause damage when they make landfall; to the means by which disaster planning can reduce the economic losses that result; to the sources of postdisaster information and mapping that can be consulted to validate tsunami-related insurance claims. The project's Web site provides details about this initiative, as well as an interactive map with accompanying articles about historic tsunami disasters of the world; a "Risk Atlas" - another interactive map showing tsunami risk around the world; a case study of the 1964 Alaska earthquake and tsunami; an extensive report by A.G. Dawson entitled, Tsunami Risk in the North Atlantic Region; a bibliography; and an index of related Web sites.

http://www.tallytown.com/redcross
In support of FEMA's Project Impact and disaster reduction generally, the Mitigation and Community Disaster Preparedness Unit of the American Red Cross publishes a newsletter, What's New - Mitigation and Preparedness Activities Across the Country, which is available in PDF format from this Web site of the [Florida] Capital Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. Click on the "News" button to obtain a list of downloadable issues.

http://coe-dmha.org
The Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance in Hawaii has completely revamped its Web site (including moving to a new address). The new site lists the many training and education opportunities supported by the center, incorporates an on-line version of the Center's magazine The Liaison, and provides much other information about disaster management and humanitarian aid world wide.

http://www.helpage.org
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that on average 10% of refugees in humanitarian crises are over 60 years old, the majority being women. Based on research supported by the EU and UNHCR, HelpAge (an international network of nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of older people) recently published an instructive guide focusing on this population - Older People in Disasters and Humanitarian Crises: Guidelines for Best Practice. The organization is making the document available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, with the complete English version available from their Web site. The guidelines address priorities expressed by older people: basic needs (shelter, fuel, water), mobility, health care access, psychological/emotional issues, family contacts, economic and legal information. For further information, or to obtain a copy of the guidelines, see the Web site above, or contact HelpAge, International, 67-74 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8QX, U.K.; tel: +44 20 7404 7201; fax: +44 20 7404 7203; e-mail: hai@helpage.org.

http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th/infores/newsletter/2000/1.html
The January-March 2000 issue of Asian Disaster Management News (always a good source of hazards information - both generally and concerning the Southeast Asia/Pacific Rim region) focuses on postdisaster reconstruction issues. It presents a theme article on common issues that emerge in design and management of reconstruction programs, features brief case studies from Asia, and provides pointers to information resources on the subject available both on the World Wide Web and in print.


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

Reviewers Sought for Climate Change Report

A lengthy notice, submitted by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the Subcommittee on Global Change Research (SGCR), recently appeared in the Federal Register. The subcommittee is seeking qualified individuals to review the draft version of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Third Assessment Report.

To summarize:
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was jointly established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Program and the World Meteorological Organization to conduct periodic assessments of the state of knowledge concerning global climate change. The IPCC has formed working groups to study various aspects of climate change: Working Group I addresses the state of the science concerning what is happening and is projected to happen to the climate system; Working Group II addresses the state of the science concerning regional, sectoral, and cross-sectoral impacts of, and adaptation to, climate change, including the social dimensions and economic costs and benefits; and Working Group III addresses the state of science concerning mitigation of climate change. Each working group is charged with issuing periodic assessments. The first assessment was prepared in 1990, the second in 1995. Special and supplementary reports have also been prepared. Additional information on the IPCC is available from their Web site: http://www.ipcc.ch/.

For these reports, the IPCC allows a brief period for comments from member governments. The U.S. Subcommittee on Global Change Research is responsible for coordinating preparation of the U.S. response, and through this notice is seeking the views of experts and interested organizations and individuals on the reports of the three working groups. Over forty separate chapters are available for review (for a list, see the GCRIO Web site below).

Requests to be a reviewer should indicate: 1) name, postal address, e-mail address, and other contact information; 2) the qualifications and general area of expertise of the reviewer; and 3) the working group and chapters that the reviewer will review. Based on these requests, information will be provided about how to access and download from the Web copies of the relevant chapters and on the format of comments to be submitted; paper copies of the chapters are not being offered for review.

Reviewer comments on the draft Third Assessment Report must be received on or before the following closing dates. The draft of the Working Group I Report was expected to be available about April 17, and comments must be received by May 8, 2000. The draft Working Group II Report is expected to be available about May 15, and comments must be received by June 12, 2000. The draft Working Group III Report is expected to be available about May 20, and comments must be received by June 26, 2000.

Requests to serve as a reviewer of the report are being handled by the Global Change Research Information Office (GCRIO) sponsored by the SGCR. Requests to be a reviewer can be submitted by: 1) filling out a form on the GCRIO Web site: http://www.gcrio.org/ipccform/; 2) sending an e-mail request to help@gcrio.org; or 3) sending a letter to GCRIO, P.O. Box 1000, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, NY 10964.

For further information contact: IPCC TAR Review Coordinator, Office of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, Suite 750, 400 Virginia Avenue, S.W., Washington DC 20024; (202) 488-8630; fax (202) 488-8681; e-mail: office@usgcrp.gov.


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

Help Wanted: FEMA

Vacancy Announcement # RB-00-122-CAR
Position: Civil Engineer/Architect, GS-810/808-12/13 (Interdisciplinary)
Salary Range: $51,204 - $79,155
Promotion Potential: GS-13
Location: FEMA, Mitigation Directorate, Program Assessment and Outreach Division, Program Policy and Assessment Branch
Duty Station: Washington, DC (Relocation expenses will not be authorized)
Open: April 12, 2000
Close: May 26, 2000
Duties: The incumbent serves as an engineer or architect, responsible for the development of program policies, policy guidance, technical standards, and technical guidance on strategies to minimize the risk of damage to the built environment from natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, wind, or fire. The incumbent works with others to identify research and development needs in the areas of flood, earthquake, and wind-resistant design and construction practices and hazard risk assessment; provides technical support to FEMA's Emergency Management Institute in the development of technical training; supports disaster operations by responding to building science needs of Emergency Response Teams and Emergency Support Teams as assigned; supports disaster operations as a member of the agency's Building Performance Assessment Teams; as a person well versed in natural hazard mitigation, acts as the project officer in the development of new technical publications on natural hazard mitigation. Applicants must submit an SF-171, OF-612 or resume to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Room 816, Washington, DC 20472; attn: Carolyn A. Robinson. For more information about this vacancy, contact Carolyn A. Robinson, (202) 646-3244, or see http://www.fema.gov/career.


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

SSA Seeks Papers on Taiwan Quake

A special issue of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America is planned on the 1999 Ji-Ji Taiwan earthquake. The issue will cover investigations into all seismological and engineering aspects of the quake. Researchers working in this area are encouraged to submit papers for the journal. Submission instructions are available from http://www.seismosoc.org/publications/bssa.html. The deadline is August 1, 2000. Questions and submissions should be directed to the issue's guest editors: Leon Teng (e-mail: lteng@terra.usc.edu) or Ben Tsai (e-mail: ybtsai@geps.gep.ncu.edu.tw).


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

The EIIP Virtual Forum Schedule for May

Below is the Emergency Information Infrastructure Partnership (EIIP) May schedule of Virtual Forum on-line sessions. The Forum looks at timely emergency management topics addressed by experts in the field. Sessions take place each Wednesday at 12:00 noon EDT. Anyone can participate by going to http://www.emforum.org/vforum/formchat.htm and following the instructions. As the producers say, "Sit back and enjoy!" - and learn about the latest issues and innovations in emergency/disaster management.


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

New Self-Study Courses from FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Management Institute (FEMA/EMI) offers numerous courses through its Independent Study Program (see DR #301). The self-paced courses are designed for both the general public and people with emergency management responsibilities. Each course includes lessons with practice exercises and a final examination. Persons scoring 75% or better are issued a certificate of completion by EMI. The average course completion time is 10-12 hours.

Any interested person can view course descriptions, download complete course materials, and register for course credit via the EMI Independent Study Web page: http://www.fema.gov/home/emi/ishome.htm. Alternatively, prospective students can contact FEMA, Emergency Management Institute, Independent Study Program, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727-8998.

Dozens of courses are available; the most recently added include:


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

Conferences and Training

[Below are some recent announcements received by the Natural Hazards Center. A comprehensive list of upcoming hazards-related meetings and training is available from our World Wide Web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/conf.html]

Earthquake Preparedness for Schools. Presented by: Southern California Earthquake Center and the Emergency Preparedness Commission. Los Angeles, California: June 6, 2000. Contact: Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, (323) 980-2260; e-mail: scecinfo@usc.edu.

Seventh Long Island Emergency Management Conference. Melville, New York: June 14-15, 2000. Contact: Donna Helm, KeySpan Energy, Long Island Emergency Management Conference, 131 Hoffman Lane, Central Islip, NY 11722; (516) 436-4228; fax: (516) 342-1159; e-mail: dhelm@keyspanenergy.com.

Critical Incident Stress Management Suite of Workshops. Offered by: International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF).
- Mason City, Iowa: June 22-25, 2000
- Seattle, Washington: July 13-16, 2000
Contact: ICISF, 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Unit 201, Ellicott City, MD 21042; (410) 750-9600; fax: (410) 750-9601; WWW: http://www.icisf.org.

18th Annual Meeting of the Doctors for Disaster Preparedness (DDP). San Francisco, California: July 1-2, 2000. Contact: DDP, 1601 North Tucson Boulevard, Suite 9, Tucson, AZ 85716; (520) 325-2680; WWW: http://www.oism.org/ddp.

Fourth International Course on Community Based Disaster Management. Organized by the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) and Duryog Nivaran. Bangkok, Thailand: July 3-14, 2000. Contact: Training and Education Division, ADPC, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O Box 4 Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand; tel: (66 2) 5245362 or 5245363; fax: (66 2) 5245360; e-mail: tedadpc@ait.ac.th; WWW: http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th.

**An updated announcement**
Fourth Nordic Congress on Emergency and Disaster Medicine. Copenhagen, Denmark: August 30-September 2, 2000. To be conducted in *English*. Abstracts due May 1. Contact: Conference Secretariat, Conventum Congress Service, Carit Etlars Vej 3, DK01814 Frederiksberg, Denmark; tel: 45-33-31-08-47; fax: 45-33-25-22-83; e-mail: ccs@conventum.dk; WWW: http://www.disastermedicine.suite.dk/CongressY2K.htm.

EMS Summit: Knowledge Management in EMS - A Focus on Quality Management, Adult Education, Clinical Management, EMS System Operations. Presented by: Florida Emergency Medicine Foundation and Sunstar Emergency Medical Services. Clearwater Beach, Florida: September 28-29, 2000. Contact: Florida Emergency Medicine Foundation, 3717 South Conway Road, Orlando, FL 32812; 1-800-766-6335 or (407) 281-7396; fax: (407) 281-4407; WWW: http://www.fcep.org.

First International GDIN (Global Disaster Information Network) Information Technology Exposition and Conference. Honolulu, Hawaii: October 9-11, 2000. Contact: GDIN Information Technology Conference, P.O. Box 134008, Ann Arbor, MI 48113-4008; e-mail: wallman@erim-int.com; WWW: http://www.erim-int.com/CONF/GDIN.html.

Conference 2000: Findings on Reproductive Health of Refugees and Displaced Populations. Organized by: Reproductive Health for Refugees Consortium (RHRC). Washington, D.C. Area: October 17-18, 2000 (tentative). Abstracts due June 15. For details, see: http://www.rhrc.org, or contact: Rachel K. Jones, Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children, 122 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10168; (212) 551-3000; fax: (212) 551-3180; e-mail: rachel@intrescom.org.

Second World Congress on Natural Disaster Reduction. Sponsor: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Washington, DC: Mid-2001. This meeting is in the formative stages. Interested persons should contact: Walter Hays, ASCE, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191; (703) 295-6054; e-mail: whays@asce.org.

Eighth International Conference on Structural Safety and Reliability (ICOSSAR '01). (Includes sessions on hazards analysis, earthquake engineering, wind engineering, and other hazards-related issues.) Organized by: International Association for Structural Safety and Reliability. Newport Beach, California: June 17-22, 2001. Abstracts due April 30, 2000. Contact: ICOSSAR '01 Secretariat, University of Colorado, College of Engineering and Applied Science, Campus Box 422, Boulder, CO, USA 80309-0422; (303) 492-7006; fax: (303) 492-0353; e-mail: corotis@colorado.edu -or- icossar@usc.edu; WWW: http://www.colorado.edu/engineering/ICOSSAR.


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