DISASTER RESEARCH 361

February 9, 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS:


  1. Another New Quick Response Report
  2. Know Any Good Disaster Films?
  3. Seeking Information: Disaster Support Groups in USA/Europe and Disaster Funds
  4. Help Wanted: Scientist to Study Societal Impacts of Weather at NCAR
  5. Help Wanted: Deputy Director for Australian Research Center
  6. Help Wanted: ADES Program Seeks Director and Two Faculty
  7. Call for Papers: Special Volume on Women and Disasters
  8. Roundtable Forum to Apply Disaster Lessons to Terrorism
  9. NFPA Announces 2002 Firewise Communities Workshops
  10. USFA Workshops Assist with Firefighters Grant Program
  11. National Geographic Presents "Volcano Hunters"
  12. Faculty/Student Teams Needed to Develop Electronic "Encyclopedia of Earthquakes"
  13. Conferences and Training


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

Another New Quick Response Report

Another new quick response report is available on the Natural Hazards Center's web site. Community Response in a Terrorist Disaster by Seana Lowe discusses experiences of volunteers responding to the World Trade Center attacks. The Natural Hazards Center sponsors "Quick Response" investigations that allow researchers to visit the site of a disaster immediately after impact in order to assess response and recovery. In turn, the researchers publish summaries of their findings on the Hazards Center web site. The newest report is on the Web at http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/qr/qr144/qr144.html.


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

Know Any Good Disaster Films?

Twister. Deep Impact. The Perfect Storm. Know of any other good disaster films? John Pine, Director of the Disaster Science and Management Program at Louisiana State University (LSU) and professor with the Department of Environmental Studies, needs suggestions of other disaster films. The movies will be part of a campus-wide disaster film series that LSU faculty will integrate into their classes to spark discussions on a wide variety of hazards topics. Students in classes from diverse disciplines, such as social work, landscape architecture, architecture, coastal sciences, geography, philosophy, engineering, business, and environmental studies, will use the films as a starting point for discussions about warning, vulnerability, weather forecasting, business crisis management, planning, and other issues. Send film suggestions or thoughts/experiences with a disaster films course to John Pine at jpine@lsu.edu.


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

Seeking Information: Disaster Support Groups in USA/Europe and Disaster Funds

On behalf of Disaster Action, I am trying to identify and/or contact any bereaved/survivor support groups in the United States and Europe, either ones arising from single disasters or umbrella groups. Disaster Action in Britain is an umbrella group of bereaved survivors from a range of incidents and provides mutual support and training to emergency management professionals as well as campaigning on issues such as corporate responsibility. We are keen to know if there are other groups like us. We are also doing some research into disaster funds. Any information or references readers can supply in relation to either of these topics would be much appreciated.

Dr. Anne Eyre
Trauma Training


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

Help Wanted: Scientist to Study Societal Impacts of Weather at NCAR

The Environmental and Societal Impacts Group (ESIG) at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, seeks an early- or mid-career scientist. Candidates should have primary research interests in societal impacts of weather and management of weather-related risks with a focus on extreme events. Candidates should 1) have experience with and interest in bridging the social and atmospheric sciences through fundamental research and applications of new knowledge to problems of national importance, 2) have significant research accomplishments, 3) have a strong commitment to collaborative problem solving, and 4) be familiar with the U.S. Weather Research Program (see http://uswrp.org/). Examples of relevant research areas include: the use and value of improved forecasts, economic and social impacts of extreme weather, design and evaluation of innovative computer-aided assessment and decision support tools, organizational responses to weather disasters, and modeling and analysis of societal vulnerability to extreme weather.

The position requires a Ph.D. in a social science or interdisciplinary area related to societal impacts of weather (e.g., geography, social systems modeling, political science, decision science, risk assessment, or organizational behavior). At the Scientist I level, postdoctoral experience is desired. The Scientist II level requires at least three years of research experience in an interdisciplinary setting. For more information, see ESIG's web site at http://www.esig.ucar.edu or the full job description and on-line application at http://www.fin.ucar.edu/hr/careers/jobs/2076PM.html. Applications are due February 25, 2002, but will be reviewed until the position is filled. Apply online at the WWW address above; via e-mail to: ucar.ncar@rpc.webhire.com; or send a scannable resume to NCAR, ESIG, 3450 Mitchell Lane, Boulder, CO 80307, with reference to job &035;2076.


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

Help Wanted: Deputy Director for Australian Research Center

Risk Frontiers seeks a deputy director to promote the center's mission, to assist in the growth of the center through both research and development, and to interact with industry partners. Other duties will include supervising postgraduate research students and participating in industry seminars. The position is initially for a three-year term, and the successful candidate will be employed by Macquarie Research Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Macquarie University. Risk Frontiers is a small, industry-funded research center specializing in innovative approaches to natural hazards risk assessment, especially with the insurance industry. Current applied interests focus on flood, hailstorm, bushfire, earthquake, and volcanic risk modeling in relation to buildings, lifelines, and economic activity.

The ideal candidate will have: an established research reputation in a natural hazards field relevant to the Risk Frontiers' mission; a Ph.D. or equivalent industry experience in engineering, architecture, science, statistics, GIS/remote sensing, or other appropriate fields; and a demonstrated ability to both manage scientific research projects and to liaise between scientific and insurance industry organizations.

For more information, contact Russell Blong by telephone at +61-2-9850-8397 or visit the web site at http://www.es.mq.edu.au/NHRC. To apply, send a written application with the names and addresses of three references to Russell Blong, Risk Frontiers, Natural Hazards Research Centre, Macquarie University, NSW 2109 Australia; e-mail: rblong@els.mq.edu.au. Application deadline is February 22, 2002.


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

Help Wanted: ADES Program Seeks Director and Two Faculty

The new Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies (ADES) program at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada, aims to integrate theories and applications in environmental disasters and emergencies from an interdisciplinary perspective. ADES offers undergraduate degrees in applied disaster and emergency studies with concentrations in either planning and management or disaster science. The program is hiring 1) a joint director/tenure track faculty position and 2) two additional tenure track faculty positions.

  1. The ADES program seeks a director for a five-year term, renewable upon review. The successful candidate will fill a tenure-track faculty position and is required to teach 9-12 credit hours per year. The candidate must have demonstrated leadership ability, administrative experience, and an understanding of the challenges posed by interdisciplinary approaches to risks, hazards, disasters, and the emergencies that arise from such phenomena. In addition, the successful candidate will have a Ph.D in any of the preferred fields listed below; will have a proven record in teaching, research, and scholarship; and must be an effective coordinator. The appointment begins July 1, 2002, or upon availability of the successful candidate.
  2. Two tenure-track faculty positions are also available in the ADES program. The successful candidates should have practical or applied experience related to disasters and emergencies and an understanding of the challenges posed by interdisciplinary approaches to risks, hazards, disaster, and the emergencies that arise from such phenomena. In addition, each successful candidate will have a minimum of a Masters (Ph.D. or equivalent preferred) in any of the fields listed below and should have a proven record in teaching, research, and scholarship. The appointments begin August 1, 2002.

For all positions, candidates should have a) the advanced degree mentioned above in any of the following fields: anthropology, economics, geography, geology, hydrology, management, meteorology, planning, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, or in another relevant discipline or interdisciplinary area; b) experience dealing with all-hazard issues and a specialized knowledge in some aspect of emergency and disaster management; and c) a demonstrated ability to effectively link university-based activities with public and private agencies and institutions.

Applications for all positions are due by March 27, 2002, or until positions are filled. To apply, send a letter of application, a curriculum vitae, a copy of transcripts, and the names of three references to: Janet S. Wright, Dean of Science, Brandon University, Brandon, MB, Canada R7A 6A9. For more information about the university and the ADES program, see the web site at http://www.brandonu.ca.


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

Call for Papers: Special Volume on Women and Disasters

The International Sociological Association's International Research Committee on Disasters is soliciting research papers and reviewers for volume 17/1 of the International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters. The special issue on "Women and Disasters" will be published in 2002. The paper's topic must be central to the understanding of women's experiences in and with disasters with gender as a pervasive theme throughout the analysis. Papers that intersect gender analysis with social class, race, ethnicity, and other relevant conditions and variables are encouraged. Interested authors should:

  1. Submit a clean, electronic (e-mail preferred) and hard copy of the paper by April 1, 2002. Specify the software program used.
  2. Limit paper to 20 pages including references, double-spaced, one-inch margins, and size 12 font. Minimize the number of tables or charts. Do not use columns, text boxes, sidebars, graphics, embedded images, or scanned images.
  3. Include a 100-word biography and a 100-word abstract.
  4. Follow guidelines published in the International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters for submission (found on-line at http://www.usc.edu/schools/sppd/ijmed/).

Submit papers or your name and e-mail address if interested in serving as a reviewer (reviews to be done in April and June) by April 1, 2002, to one of the following editors:

Betty Morrow, Ph.D.
Lab for Social and Behavioral Research
International Hurricane Center
Florida International University
Miami, FL 33199 USA
(305) 348-1607

Brenda Phillips, Ph.D.
Institute for Emergency Preparedness
Jacksonville State University
700 Pelham Road North
Jacksonville, AL 36265 USA
(800) 231-5291 ext. 8053 or (256) 782-8053


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

Roundtable Forum to Apply Disaster Lessons to Terrorism

Acts of terrorism and their devastating effects on life, property, and society present similar challenges as those posed by natural disasters. Attendees of the 4th Natural Disasters Roundtable (NDR) will have a chance to mull over these similarities during the February 28-March 1, 2002, forum in Washington, D.C. The meeting's theme is Countering Terrorism: Lessons Learned from Natural and Technological Disasters. Presentations and discussions will focus on using the knowledge and experience gained from dealing with and preventing natural and technological disasters to explore methods for countering terrorism and reducing the nation's vulnerability to attack. The main discussion topics include risk perception and communication, emergency preparedness and response, cross-disaster experience, public health, and capacity building. The Natural Disasters Roundtable meets three times a year and seeks to facilitate and enhance communication and the exchange of ideas among scientists, practitioners, and policymakers concerned with urgent and important issues related to natural disasters. For more information about the forum, visit NDR's web site at http://nationalacademies.org/naturaldisasters. To attend the event, register on-line or RSVP by February 19, 2002, to Patricia Jones Kershaw via e-mail at pkershaw@nas.edu or telephone at (202) 334-1964.


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

NFPA Announces 2002 Firewise Communities Workshops

In North America, communities face ever-increasing threats to life, property, and natural resources from wildfires, especially as developed areas continue to encroach into natural wildlands. Proper planning of fire codes, building materials, landscaping, and road placement reduces the likelihood and occurrence of fire losses around new and existing housing areas. To assist communities in planning and mitigating fire, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sponsors many fire awareness programs including Firewise Communities Workshops (see DR 317). NFPA is inviting community leaders to attend the 2002 workshops to learn how to create a Firewise Community. This year's workshop schedule is:

For more information about the Firewise Communities Workshop series, contact: Linda Coyle, NFPA International, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101; (617) 984-7486; fax: (617) 984-7956; e-mail: lcoyle@nfpa.org; WWW: http://www.firewise.org/communities.


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

USFA Workshops Assist with Firefighters Grant Program

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is sponsoring free workshops to explain the 2002 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Workshop leaders will assist with the application process, offer general guidance for writing a competitive narrative, and answer any questions about the grant and application process. Interested fire department representatives are invited to attend one of the many scheduled workshops. See the USFA web site at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/grants/02wrkshps.htm for the latest schedule and registration information.


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

National Geographic Presents "Volcano Hunters"

Imagine looking over the shoulders of those who study active volcanoes. That's just what National Geographic EXPLORER does in its newest television special "Volcano Hunters." Cameras follow Steve and Donna O¹Meara to the active Stromboli volcano in Italy's Aeolian Islands. The husband and wife team will collect data in order to prove a controversial theory that some volcanic eruptions follow a pattern based on the moon's gravitational pull, much like the ebb and flow of the ocean's tide. Volcanoes, like the Nyiragongo in Congo last month and Europe's Etna last summer, claim lives, property, and natural resources. To date, there is still not a reliable way of predicting when the ground will spew hot lava and potentially wipe out towns and habitats. Predicting eruptions would reduce loss of life and property, assist in conservation efforts, and reduce disaster relief efforts. The program airs Sunday, February 17, 2002, at 8 p.m. eastern time, 7 p.m. central time, and 5 p.m. pacific time on MSNBC. For programming information and updates go to http://www.nationalgeographic.com/tv/explorer.


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

Faculty/Student Teams Needed to Develop Electronic "Encyclopedia of Earthquakes"

Recognizing that the Internet is a useful source of science information for students and educators, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is developing a digital library through its National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Digital Library (NSDL) program. One section of this innovative project is the electronic "Encyclopedia of Earthquakes," a collection of resources devoted to Earth science and engineering aspects of earthquakes. The multi-level Web site will contain several hundred encyclopedia-like entries primarily for K-12 and college students and educators.

The Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) and the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) are managing part of the earthquake encyclopedia project and need six faculty/student teams to help develop the Earth science content. Each team will identify and obtain content for approximately 50-75 entries in one of the following topics: earthquake seismology, earthquake geology, tectonic geodesy, global structure and tectonics, or seismic hazard analysis. Entries include a glossary, a synopsis, a content-in-depth, and a curricula connections section with links to other educational resources. Team applications are due by February 22, 2002.

To apply, the faculty member should submit the following via e-mail (use subject line "Encyclopedia Application"): 1) a cover letter indicating which of the five disciplinary specialties the team will address and stating the level of effort the $15,000 budget will afford, in hours of faculty labor and student labor or similarly described; 2) a resume; and 3) resumes of participating students.

Direct questions before February 15 to Tom Henyey at (213) 740-5832 and after February 15 to Mark Benthien at (213) 740-0323. Visit http://www.scec.org/ecube for a pictorial explanation of the encyclopedia and http://www.scec.org/instanet/02news/education020205.html for a complete description of the project and scope of work.


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

Conferences and Training

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

Firewise Communities Workshops. Sponsor: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Contact: Linda Coyle, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) International, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101; (617) 984-7486; fax: (617) 984-7956; e-mail: lcoyle@nfpa.org; WWW: http://www.firewise.org/communities.

International Conference on Disaster Management: "Infrastructure Restoration and Rehabilitation." New Delhi, India: February 25-26, 2002. Contact: Prasant Saha, Conferences and Incentives Management (I) Pvt. Ltd., C1/D, First Floor, Green Park Extension; New Delhi 110 016, India; tel. (011) 6536075-077; e-mail: cimindia@vsnl.com or no1pco@yahoo.com.

Countering Terrorism: Lessons Learned from Natural and Technological Disasters. Sponsor: Natural Disasters Roundtable. Washington, D.C.: February 28-March 1, 2002. For more information, see NDR's web site at http://nationalacademies.org/naturaldisasters. To attend the event, register on-line or RSVP by February 19 to Patricia Jones Kershaw via e-mail at pkershaw@nas.edu or telephone at (202) 334-1964.

Contingency Planning and Business Recovery for Financial Institutions. Host: Strategic Research Institute. Covers a wide range of threats including sessions about natural hazards (earthquakes and floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and other wind storms, thunderstorms and hail storms, lightning and electrical storms, and snow and winter ice storms) and physical threats (fire, explosion, hazardous or toxic material spills, transportation mishaps, and building or roof collapse). New York, New York: March 7, 2002. Contact: Strategic Research Institute, 333 Seventh Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10001-5004; (212) 967-0095 or (800) 599-4950; fax: (212) 967-8021; e-mail: info@srinstitute.com; WWW: http://www.srinstitute.com/ci258.

Spring World 2002. 13th Annual Corporate Contingency Planning Seminar and Exhibition. Host: Disaster Recovery Journal. San Diego, California: March 10-13, 2002. Contact: DRI International; (703) 538-1792; fax: (703) 241-5603; e-mail: registration@drii.org; WWW: http://www.drj.com/conferences/sd2002/24pg/.

Emergency Preparedness for Government. Sponsored by: Advanced Learning Institute (ALI). Participating agencies: The City of New York, the National Weather Service, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Maricopa County, Arizona, and more. Atlanta, Georgia: March 13-15, 2002. Contact: Melissa Wittenberg, Conference Director, ALI, 644 South Clark Street, Suite 201, Chicago, IL 60605; (312) 362-9100 ext. 14 or (888) 362-7400 ext. 14; fax: (312) 362-9101; e-mail: melissa@aliconferences.com: WWW: http://www.aliconferences.com.

10th Annual Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Conference: "A Collaborative Odyssey." Hosts: Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD). Oklahoma City, Oklahoma: March 17-20, 2002. Contact: Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, c/o Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, P.O. Box 53365, Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3365; (405) 521-2481; fax: (405) 522-0851; e-mail: mail@okvoad.org; WWW: http://www.okvoad.org.

Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference. Sponsors: Washington State Department of Emergency Management, Washington State Emergency Management Association, American Red Cross, Seattle Public Utilities, Puget Sound Energy, and Farmers Life Insurance. Bellevue, Washington: April 2-3, 2002. For questions, contact conference organizers at (253) 445-4575. Brochure, program, and registration information are available on-line at http://capps.wsu.edu/emergencyprep.

The 14th Annual Conference of the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO) and Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grants Conference. "Shape the Future Together." Honolulu, Hawaii: April 8-13, 2002. Contact: Beryl Ekimoto, NASTTPO/HMEP Grants Conference 2002, c/o Department of Health, HEER Office, 919 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 206, Honolulu, HI 96814; (808) 586-4249; fax: (808) 586-7537; e-mail: bekimoto@eha.health.state.hi.us; WWW: http://www.geocities.com/nasttpo/.

Risk and Insurance Management (RIM) Society's Annual Conference and Exhibition. New Orleans, Louisiana: April 14-18, 2002. The 40th annual RIM's conference will be co-located and held concurrently with the CPM 2002 Continuity Management Conference, April 15-17, 2002. Contact: Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc., 655 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017; (212) 286-9292; WWW: http://www.rims.org/.

4th Annual Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity Planning Conference and Exhibition. Sponsor: Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Red Cross. Conference includes: a keynote address, "Lessons learned from Ground Zero 9/11/01;" a general session on targeting terrorism; an introductory disaster recovery for businesses tutorial; and a series of breakout sessions including, fire prevention, checklist to prevent liability, managing the crisis, protecting management information systems, and property restoration. Cleveland, Ohio: April 10, 2002. Contact: Business and Industry Council for Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP), American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter, 3747 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115; (216) 361-5833 or (216) 431-3323; fax: (216) 431-3025; e-mail: trudickl@usa.redcross.org; WWW: http://www.arc-cleveland.org/bicepp/Disaster_Recovery.html.

National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA's) World Safety Conference and Exposition. Minneapolis, Minnesota: May 19-23, 2002. Contact: NFPA, 1 Batterymarch Park, P.O. Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101; (617) 770-3000; fax: (617) 770-0700; e-mail: lbailey@nfpa.org; WWW: http://www.nfpa.org/ProfessionalDev/EventsCalendar/WFCSExpo/WFCSExpo.asp.

16th Annual Governor's Hurricane Conference. Sponsors: State of Florida Emergency Management, American Red Cross, and Florida Emergency Preparedness Association. This week-long event features two full days of training; three days of concurrent workshops relating to hurricane preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation; and an exhibit program. Featured general session speakers include Governor Jeb Bush, Dr. William Gray, and others. Tours are scheduled for the NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft at McDill Air Force Base. Tampa, Florida: May 20-24, 2002. Contact: Governor's Hurricane Conference, P.O. Box 279, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688; (727) 944-2724; e-mail: flghc1@verizon.net; WWW: http://www.flghc.org.

Coastal Society's 2002 Annual Meeting. The conference will explore interrelationships among the physical, ecological, cultural, and political currents along U.S. coasts using three themes: Coastal Watersheds and Estuaries, Ecosystem Perspectives at the Regional Scale, and National Treasures and the International Commons. Galveston, Texas: May 19-22, 2002. Contact: Judy Tucker, The Coastal Society, P.O. Box 25408, Alexandria, VA 22313-5408; (703) 768-1599; fax: (703) 768-1598; e-mail: coastalsoc@aol.com; WWW: http://www.thecoastalsociety.org/conference.html.

4th Conference and Exhibition. Sponsor: Alert~FLOWS Inc. - Automated Flood Warning System East Coast User's Group. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: May 29-31, 2002. Call for papers: abstracts due February 15, 2002, in one or more of the following areas: storm forecasting tools; flood warning system design, operations, and maintenance; satellite usage for hydrologic data exchange; case histories; maintaining flood warning preparedness; research and new program development; and data dissemination during floods. Contact: Timothy E. Scrom, c/o Alert~FLOWS Inc., 285 Oak Lane Stillwater, NY 12170; e-mail; SE_Tech@yahoo.com; WWW: http://www.afws.net/af_ecug/exhibitor.htm.

Tenth International Course on Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM-10). Sponsor: Asian Disaster Preparedness Center. Bangkok, Thailand: July 8-19, 2002. The course aims to train the participants in designing and implementing community-based disaster management programs and projects in disaster prone rural and urban areas. For more information on this and other courses offered through the Center, visit http://www.adpc.ait.ac.th/training/te-cbdm10.html or send an e-mail to tedadpc@ait.ac.th.


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