DISASTER RESEARCH 431

June 24, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. EERI/FEMA Earthquake Hazards Reduction Professional Fellowship
  2. OSHA Disaster Site Worker Outreach Training Program
  3. Grants for Schools: Emergency Response and Crisis Management
  4. Call for Presenters: CWS Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry
  5. U.S. Mayors Endorse Climate Protection Agreement
  6. NIST WTC Draft Reports Available for Public Comment
  7. Disaster Mental Health Research Mentoring Program
  8. Some New Web Resources
  9. Conferences and Training
  10. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

1) EERI/FEMA Earthquake Hazards Reduction Professional Fellowship

Under a cooperative agreement established with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is offering a professional fellowship to provide an opportunity for a practicing professional to gain greater skills and broader expertise in earthquake hazards reduction, either by enhancing knowledge in the applicant’s own field, or by broadening his or her knowledge in a related, but unfamiliar field.

Who Should Apply:
This unique fellowship is aimed at the career professional and is designed to bring together an experienced practitioner with professionals conducting significant research, providing an opportunity to enrich the applicant’s knowledge and skills and broaden the research base with challenges faced in practice. The professional fellowship is not intended to fund work towards a degree.

Award:
The fellowship provides a stipend of $30,000, commencing in January, to cover tuition, fees, relocation, and living expenses for a six- month period. The fellowship will be awarded on a project basis, with the proposed work or course of study to be carried out over a period of up to one year. The recipient will have the flexibility to work less than full time with the host institution and academic sponsor with the understanding that the effort will result in a deliverable by the end of twelve months.

Criteria:
Applicants must provide a detailed work plan for a research project that would be carried out in the twelve-month period. The fellow will be expected to produce a written report upon completion of the project. All applications must be accompanied by a professional resume and letter of nomination from the faculty host(s) at the cooperating educational institution(s). Faculty members should also indicate the institution’s ability to provide research facilities, including library, work space, telephone, and computer access. Applicant must hold U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status.

To Apply:
Applications are due by September 6, 2005. Download an application at http://www.eeri.org/home/Profell_application.pdf or contact EERI, 499 14th Street, Suite 320, Oakland, CA; (510) 451-0905; e-mail: eeri@eeri.org. Announcement of the award will be made October 17, 2005.

2) OSHA Disaster Site Worker Outreach Training Program

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Disaster Site Worker Outreach Training Program is designed to train workers who provide skilled support in emergency response and recovery operations at disaster sites and raise awareness for workers and employers that preincident training is essential for ensuring disaster site worker safety and health. Specifically, it recognizes that all workers at disaster sites need to be aware of the differences between disaster sites and regular construction or demolition work sites and be able to inspect, don, and doff air-purifying respirators. Find out more about the program and how to become a trainer at http://www.osha.gov/fso/ote/training/disaster/disaster.html.

3) Grants for Schools: Emergency Response and Crisis Management

The U.S. Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools’ Emergency Response and Crisis Management grant program is designed to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) with improving and strengthening emergency response plans at both the district and school-building levels. Plans must address all four phases of emergency response: prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Plans must include training for school personnel and students in emergency response procedures; coordination with local law enforcement, public safety, public health, and mental health agencies; and a method for communicating school emergency response policies and reunification procedures to parents and guardians.

Approximately 104 grants ranging from $100,000-$500,000 will be awarded to individual LEAs. An estimated $27,000,000 will be awarded overall.

Applications are due July 29, 2005. For more information, read the announcement in the June 21, 2005 Federal Register, Vol. 70, No. 118, pp. 35649-35652, which can be found in any federal repository library and online at http://www.access.gpo.gov/. Address questions to Sara Strizzi, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW, Room 3E320, Washington, DC 20202; (202) 708-4850, e-mail: sara.strizzi@ed.gov; http://www.ed.gov/programs/dvpemergencyresponse/.

4) Call for Presenters: CWS Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry

The Church World Service (CWS) Emergency Response Program is seeking speakers, panelists, and workshop leaders to present research/case studies, introduce new concepts and approaches, and generate discussions related to domestic disaster mitigation/preparedness, response, and recovery under the umbrella theme “Building Human Security” for its second Forum on Domestic Disaster Ministry.

The forum will bring together experienced volunteers and professionals in disaster ministries from the interfaith community from March 26-29, 2006, at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, to:

  • Explore the changing nature of response to natural, technological, and human-caused disasters;
  • Tap the wisdom of the collective, yet diverse experience of participants;
  • Identify issues affecting disaster ministry that must be addressed for the future; and
  • Suggest forward thinking, yet practical resources for the changing needs of disaster ministry.

Within the context of the theme, forum planners have already identified several subject matter areas for which it is seeking proposals for presentations and workshops. They should guide, but not limit, formulation of presentation proposals.

  • Scape-goat populations in disasters
  • Organizing disaster response around assets of vulnerable populations
  • Lessons learned in technology-caused disasters
  • Current research on vulnerable populations in disaster
  • Legislative issues related to disaster management today
  • Worst-case scenarios and disaster planning
  • Building organizational capacity for disasters
  • New approaches in disaster recovery
  • What faith leaders need to know about bioterrorism

Download a program proposal form at http://www.cwserp.org/training/calendar.php (select March 2006). Submit proposal forms to Bob Arnold, Church World Service Emergency Response Program, 7th Floor, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115. Proposal forms are due by September 30, 2005.

5) U.S. Mayors Endorse Climate Protection Agreement

Meeting on June 13, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously agreed to support a Climate Protection Agreement. The agreement challenges cities to meet or beat the goals of the Kyoto Protocol, which calls for a 7 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and urges the federal government and state governments to do the same. The agreement is available, along with the other adopted resolutions, at http://www.usmayors.org/uscm/resolutions/73rd_conference/resolutions_adopted_2005.pdf.

6) NIST WTC Draft Reports Available for Public Comment

On June 23, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released eight draft project reports for public comment and a summary report that contains the investigation’s principal findings and recommendations for changes to codes, standards, and practices. Based on the findings, NIST makes 30 recommendations and calls on organizations that develop building and fire safety codes, standards, and practices — and the state and local agencies that adopt them — to make specific changes to improve the safety of tall buildings, their occupants, and first responders. The recommendations cover specific improvements to building standards, codes, and practices; changes to, or the establishment of, evacuation and emergency response procedures; and research and other appropriate actions needed to help prevent future building failures.

NIST welcomes comments on the draft report and recommendations. Comments are due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on August 4, 2005. Access the reports and recommendations and find out how to submit comments at http://wtc.nist.gov/.

7) Disaster Mental Health Research Mentoring Program

Dartmouth College and the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (NCPTSD) are seeking applicants for a new Disaster Mental Health Research Mentoring Program that has been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health. The broad goal of the project is to increase the quality and utility of disaster mental health research by informing, instructing, advising, and mentoring disaster researchers.

Sixteen promising individuals who show interest in and aptitude for careers in disaster mental health research will be connected to mentors selected from a nationwide faculty. Successful applicants will receive small grants (up to $10,000 a year for up to two years) for travel and other educational materials and expenses. Most mentees remain in the program for two years and work toward the goal of becoming funded investigators in the field of disaster mental health research.

To find out more about what the program entails and how to apply, contact Fran Norris; Dartmouth College; e-mail: Fran.Norris@Dartmouth.edu; http://www.redmh.org/mentor/.

8) Some New Web Resources

[Below are some new or updated Internet resources we've discovered. For an extensive list of useful Internet sites dealing with hazards, see http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/resources/.]

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/
This heat safety Web page from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides information about what actions to take to protect oneself, family, pets, and property against excessive heat and drought.

http://hurricanesafety.org/mediakit/masonDixon_poll.pdf
These results from a recent poll indicate that adults who live in states that front the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico lack a significant level of knowledge about hurricanes and how to best prepare for them.

http://www.weather.gov/sp/NWS_strategic_plan_01-03-05.pdf
The National Weather Service’s (NWS) NWS Strategic Plan for 2005-2010: Working Together to Save Lives is available here.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/RL32941.pdf
New from the Congressional Research Service, State and Local Homeland Security: Unresolved Issues for the 109th Congress addresses emergency responder needs, the proposed reduction in appropriations for federal homeland security assistance, the determination of state and local homeland security risk assessment factors, the absence of emergency responder equipment standards, the development of state and local homeland security strategies, and the limited number of state and local officials with security clearances.

http://www.everyonegoeshome.com/
Recognizing the need to do more to prevent line-of-duty deaths and injuries, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and PennWell Corporation established this Web site for the nationwide Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives program.

http://www.iawfonline.org/summit/2005%20Presentations/2005%20presentations.shtml
The proceedings and poster presentations from the Eighth Wildland Fire Safety Summit, April 26-28, 2005, in Missoula, Montana, are available here for free download.

http://www.ready.gov/business/espanol/ (http://www.listo.gov/)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Advertising Council, has launched “Listo Negocios,” an extension of the “Listo” campaign, to help Spanish-speaking owners of small- to medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, operations, and assets for emergencies. Listo Negocios is the Spanish version of the “Ready Business” campaign launched in September 2004.

http://seattlescenario.eeri.org/
The Seattle Fault Earthquake Scenario, a collaboration between the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute and the Washington Emergency Management Division, drew upon the knowledge and advice of many of the region’s experts in the fields of earth and life sciences, earthquake engineering, planning, and emergency management. The multidisciplinary team developed a broad, unbiased look at the vulnerability of the Puget Sound region and Washington State to one of their top earthquake threats - the Seattle Fault. Scenario documents and presentations are available here.

http://www.fs.fed.us/projects/fote/
This report from the U.S. Forest Service found that some 44.2 million acres (over 11 percent) of private forest across the conterminous United States could experience substantial increases in housing density by 2030. The implications of increased housing density in forested areas and decreased parcel sizes can be associated with, among other things, alterations in forest structure and function, long-term modifications to and reductions in water quality and aquatic diversity, increases in fire risk, and greater loss of life and property.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/weather/hurricaneguide/
The Orlando Sentinel has published this hurricane survival guide, which features 10 lessons learned from the 2004 hurricane season and additional information for local residents, including important phone numbers and a list of shelters.

http://www.messageone.com/s113/
MessageOne offers this Executive Guide: Hurricane Preparedness 2005; Is Your Organization Ready? to help organizations prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Sections examine what can be done before, during, and after a hurricane as well as lessons learned from 2004.

http://www.hurricanesafety.org/
The National Hurricane Survival Initiative is a public-private partnership that seeks to educate hurricane-vulnerable individuals through this new Web site, a 30-minute television special, and a series of television public service announcements.

http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=1530
On June 8, the new U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s Disaster Subcommittee held its first hearing, a hearing on research and development to protect America’s communities from disaster. Prepared panelist testimonies and a video of the hearing are available here. (Fast forward video about 16 minutes.)

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 Web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/conf.html.]

NACCHO - ASTHO 2005 Joint Conference: Reversing the Tide; Promoting Policies and Programs to Advance the Nation’s Health. Organizers: National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASHTO). Boston, Massachusetts: July 12-15, 2005. Goals for this conference include focusing national attention on critical public health issues; providing attendees with information and resources that will enable them to strengthen and expand public health initiatives and to more effectively influence public health policy; fostering partnerships and dialogue among local and state health officials, as well as with other key partners in public health practice; and enhancing the knowledge, skills, and performance of local and state health officials. For more information, contact NACCHO-ASTHO 2005 Joint Conference, 1275 K Street NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005; (202) 371-9050; e-mail: jointmeeting@ashto.org; http://www.astho.org/index.php?template=annual_meeting.html.

Twenty-fifth Annual ESRI International User Conference. San Diego, California: July 25–29, 2005. New and experienced ESRI software users are invited to join colleagues and GIS (geographic information systems) experts for software updates by senior ESRI product managers, one-on-one consultations with GIS software experts, technical workshops on ESRI software, professional user paper presentations, an exhibit hall showcasing GIS solutions, GIS user achievement awards, and special interest group and regional user group meetings. For more information, e-mail uc@esri.com or visit http://www.esri.com/events/uc/.

Emergency Management Conference 2005: Managing through Emergencies - Continuing Business. Organizer: Emergency Services Foundation. Melbourne, Australia: August 23-24, 2005. This event will bring together representatives from local and state governments; fire, ambulance, and police departments; state emergency services; and industry to discuss emergency management and business continuity from the Australian perspective. For more information, visit. http://www.hpe.com.au/emergservices/introduction.html.

SafeAir Conference 2005. Hosts: The Institution of Fire Engineers (New Zealand Branch), New Zealand Institute of Hazardous Substance Management. Auckland, New Zealand: August 31-September 1, 2005. This addresses using aviation to protect communities and the environment. For more information, contact Marcel Sanders, SafeAir 2005, c/o Auckland Central Fire District, PO Box 68-646, Newton, Auckland, New Zealand; (09) 520 0252; e-mail: marcel@safeair2005.co.nz; http://www.safeair2005.co.nz/.

9th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology – 2005. Organizers: Global Network for Environmental Science and Technology, Department of Environmental Studies at the University of the Aegean. Rhodes Island, Greece: September 1-3, 2005. This conference will present the most recent technological and scientific developments associated with environmental problems, emphasizing the synthesis of scientific expertise achieved in environmental science and technology. It aims to identify and promote best practices in environmental resources management and planning, to present realistic scenarios and reliable economic analysis of environmental issues, to achieve a better understanding of environmental problems, and to seek their solution. Priority areas of discussion will be global environmental change and ecosystems management, water resources management and planning, water quality issues, air quality issues, and solid waste management, recycling, and sustainability. For more information, contact the University of the Aegean, 9th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, 30, Voulgaroktonou Str., GR-114 72 Athens, Greece; + 30 210 6492450; e-mail: cest@gnest.org; http://www.gnest.org/cest/.

6th PhD Students’ and Advisors’ Meeting in the Field of Natural Hazards. Organizer: Natural Hazards Competence Centre (CENAT). Ticino, Switzerland: September 18-20, 2005. This meeting is designed for PhD students (including students who will start their PhD work soon), and their advisors, whose research relates to natural hazards and risk (e.g., natural hazard processes, vulnerability studies, risk assessment). The program includes oral and poster presentations by the participating students. For more information, contact CENAT, Fluelastrasse 11, 7260 Davos-Dorf, Switzerland; +41 81 417 01 11; e-mail: cenat@slf.ch; http://www.cenat.ch/index.php?nav=672,689,789,1019&userhash=12074896&lID=1.

International Conference on Lightning and Static Electricity (ICOLSE). Host: The Boeing Company. Seattle, Washington: September 19-23, 2005. The ICOLSE conference is concerned with all aspects of lightning interaction with ground, air, and sea systems. The conference is one in a series of biannual events that aim to encourage a real understanding of atmospheric electricity environmental hazards. A full program of papers will include phenomenology through measurement, design, protection, testing, and computational modeling. For more information, contact Dianne L. Heidlebaugh, ICOLSE 2005, The Boeing Company, PO Box 3707, MC 45-03, Seattle, WA 98124-2207; (206) 655-6511; e-mail: diane.l.heidlebaugh@boeing.com; http://www.icolse.org/.

2005 ACHMM National Conference. Host: Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM). St. Louis, Missouri: September 25-29, 2005. This conference for environmental, health, and safety professionals will feature technical sessions highlighting the latest developments in hazardous materials management, safety, environmental management systems, emergency response, homeland security, and hazardous materials transportation; the opportunity to see the newest innovations and services available from exhibitors and sponsors; and a chance to network with peers. It will also feature a “how to conduct a drill” exercise, a tabletop exercise, and two on-site exercises. For more information, visit http://www2.kuce.org/achmm/.

7th Plinius Conference on Mediterranean Storms. Host: European Geosciences Union. Rethymnon, Crete, Greece: October 5-7, 2005. The objective of this conference is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for the discussion of the present state of knowledge on Mediterranean storms, considering their meteorological, hydrological, and geological aspects and their effects on mountain and hill slopes, river networks, and coastal areas. Topics will include physical processes, monitoring and diagnosis of Mediterranean storms; new methods in monitoring and forecasting Mediterranean storms; meteorological, hydrological and geological risks, disaster management, and mitigation strategies; and Mediterranean storms in an evolving climate. For more information, contact Vassiliki Kotroni, National Observatory of Athens, Institute of Environmental Reseasch, Lofos Koufou, P. Penteli, 15236, Athens, Greece; +30-210-8109126; e-mail: kotroni@meteo.noa.gr; http://www.copernicus.org/EGU/topconf/plc7/.

7th Annual Technologies for Critical Incident Preparedness. Presenters: U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). San Diego, California: October 31-November 2, 2005. This three-day conference will allow the DHS, DOJ, and the U.S. Department of Defense to highlight the technology and training tools currently available and being developed for the first responder community. With over 1,000 attendees and 100 exhibits expected, this conference enables first responders; representatives from business, industry, and academia; and elected federal, state, and local stakeholders to network, exchange ideas, and address common critical incident technology and preparedness needs and solutions. For more information, contact Lisa Hecker, Center for Technology Commercialization; (505) 670-6153; lhecker@ctc.org; http://www.regonline.com/eventinfo.asp?EventId=21494.

Accessible Emergency Notification and Communication: State of the Science Conference. Presenter: The RERC on Telecommunications Access. Washington, DC: November 2-3, 2005. The objectives of this conference are to identify needs and gather possible solutions for accessible emergency notification and communication; encourage interaction among industry, government, and consumer experts so that accessibility considerations are more likely to be built into notification and communication products and procedures; and create literature on the state of the science in this area. The conference is designed for accessibility experts, government representatives with responsibility for emergency communications, standards group representatives, academicians and consultants with research and technical background in emergency communications, and industry representatives. For more information, e-mail EmergencyConf@tap.gallaudet.edu or visit http://tap.gallaudet.edu/emergencycommconf.htm.

American Public Health Association (APHA) 133rd Annual Meeting. New Orleans, Louisiana: November 5-9, 2005. The APHA Annual Meeting serves as a platform to share successes and failures, discover exceptional best practices, and learn from expert colleagues and the latest research in the field. The event will feature scientific sessions, networking opportunities and events, and a public health exposition. For more information, visit http://www.apha.org/meetings/.

Symposium in the Sun 2005. Sponsor: International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Clearwater Beach, Florida: November 10-13, 2005. This national symposium is for leaders of volunteer/combination fire departments. It will feature speakers as well as an exhibition. For more information, contact the IAFC, 4025 Fair Ridge Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033; (703) 273-0911; http://www.iafc.org/conferences/vcos/.

42nd Annual Convention and Meeting on “Earth System Processes Related to Earthquakes, Tsunamis, and Volcanic Eruptions.” Organizer: Indian Geophysical Union. Bhopal, India: December 7–9, 2005. In addition to earth system processes, other topics will include solid earth geophysics; atmosphere, space, and planetary sciences; marine geosciences; environmental geophysics; and more. Abstracts are due October 1, 2005. For more information, contact P.R. Ready, Indian Geophysical Union, NGR. Campus, Pupal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India; 040-23434662; e-mail: igu123@rediffmail.com; http://www.igu.in/schedule.htm.

10) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

_________________________________
Tenure-Track Faculty
Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies
Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

Brandon University invites applications for two tenure-track faculty positions in the Department of Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies (A-DES). A-DES offers four-year baccalaureate degrees (bachelor of arts and bachelor of science) with either planning and management or disaster science concentrations. The A-DES program has been in place since 2001 and has an established student base. Brandon University has invested significantly in library holdings and information technology, including a fully equipped Emergency Operations Lab, to support teaching and research.

The successful candidate for the planning and management concentration will be expected to teach courses in emergency planning, disaster mitigation, and disasters and development. The successful candidate for the science concentration will be expected to teach courses in natural and technological hazards, risk and vulnerability assessment, and hazards modeling. The candidates should have practical or applied experience related to disasters and emergencies and an understanding of the challenges posed by an interdisciplinary approach to emergency management. In addition, each successful candidate should have a proven record in teaching, research, and scholarship.

Required credentials include a) minimum of a master’s (PhD or equivalent preferred) in emergency management or a related field (anthropology, earth sciences, economics, engineering, geography, management, planning, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, or other relevant discipline), b) experience in dealing with all-hazards issues and specialized knowledge in some aspect of emergency and disaster management, and c) the ability to effectively link university-based activities with public and private agencies and institutions.

Applications are due by July 15, 2005, or until positions are filled. The appointments will take effect September 1, 2005, or upon candidate availability. Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, transcripts, citizenship, and the names and e-mail addresses of three referees to: Janet Wright, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9; e-mail: wrightj@brandonu.ca. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

_________________________________
Full, Associate, or Assistant Professor
Department of Sociology
University of California, San Diego

The Department of Sociology at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), invites applications for a position at the full, associate, or assistant professor level in the sociology of science beginning July 1, 2007. Applicants must have a PhD degree and will be expected to teach and supervise students, primarily at the graduate level, conduct an extramurally funded research program, and participate in administrative functions of the department and the university. Candidates must show evidence of a strong research record in their specialization.

The deadline for receipt of applications is September 15, 2005. Interested individuals should send a description of research interests, a curriculum vitae, publications or dissertation chapters, and three letters of reference (under separate cover) to: Andrew Scull, Science Recruitment, UCSD Sociology, 401 Social Science Building, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0533; http://sociology.ucsd.edu/.

Questions for the readership and contributions to this e-newsletter are encouraged. Questions and messages should be indicated as such and sent to hazctr@colorado.edu.

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