DISASTER RESEARCH 434

August 5, 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS


  1. September Is National Preparedness Month
  2. NOAA’s August Update Increases Hurricane Season Outlook
  3. DHS Postdoctoral Associateship Program
  4. Preliminary List Available of Federal Preparedness Grant Programs
  5. Two New Independent Study Courses from FEMA
  6. EPA Environmental Research Fellowships
  7. Your New DR Editor
  8. Some New Web Resources
  9. Conferences and Training
  10. Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

1) September Is National Preparedness Month

September 2005 marks the second annual National Preparedness Month, the nationwide effort to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, and schools. Throughout the month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross (cosponsors) will work with a National Preparedness Month Coalition consisting of a wide variety of public and private sector organizations to educate the public about the importance of emergency preparedness.

These organizations will provide information, host events, and sponsor activities that disseminate emergency preparedness messages to and encourage action in their customers, members, employees, stakeholders, and communities across the country. Specifically, these activities will urge Americans to get emergency kits, make emergency plans, educate themselves about the threats to their communities, and get involved with their communities’ preparedness efforts (e.g., the American Red Cross, Citizen Corps).

For more information about National Preparedness Month, including a calendar of events and a list of coalition members, visit http://www.ready.gov/npm/.


2) NOAA’s August Update Increases Hurricane Season Outlook

A very active Atlantic hurricane season is underway and on August 2, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an increase in the number of storms predicted in its 2005 Atlantic hurricane season outlook. NOAA expects an additional 11 to 14 tropical storms from August through November, with 7 to 9 becoming hurricanes, including 3 to 5 major hurricanes. In total, this season is likely to yield 18 to 21 tropical storms, with 9 to 11 becoming hurricanes, including 5 to 7 major hurricanes.

An average Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Atmospheric and oceanic conditions that favor an active hurricane season are now in place, as was predicted in the pre season outlook. The 2005 season is likely to become the ninth above normal Atlantic hurricane season in the last 11 years. For the complete August update to the hurricane season outlook, visit the NOAA National Weather Service Web site at http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/outlooks/hurricane.html.


3) DHS Postdoctoral Associateship Program

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology directorate has announced it is seeking applications for up to 10 postdoctoral associates to conduct mission-focused research at DHS-affiliated venues including DHS Centers of Excellence, DHS laboratories, and homeland security activities at Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories. Postdoctoral associateship awards will be made to doctoral level scientists and engineers, within five years of their doctorate, in nationally competitive evaluations held four times each year. Awards are made for one year, renewable for a maximum of three years. The approximate annual stipend for new awardees for the 2005 program year will be $55,000.

Application deadlines are February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 for reviews in mid-March, mid-June, mid-September, and mid-January, respectively. For more information about the program, including approved DHS venues, read the press release at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4707 or visit http://www.dhs.gov/universityprograms/.


4) Preliminary List Available of Federal Preparedness Grant Programs

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) Integration Center is making available a preliminary list of federal preparedness grant programs on its Web page at http://www.fema.gov/nims. The information was provided by federal departments and agencies to the center and includes federal preparedness funding programs with state and local entities, such as cooperative agreements and memorandums of understandings, as well as grants and contracts. The NIMS Integration Center is making this preliminary list available to help state and local entities identify funding streams that may be affected in connection with NIMS implementation requirements; however, the list should not be considered a definitive one of federal preparedness grants and agreements.

For more information about federal assistance programs for state, local, and tribal governments, the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance may be found at www.cfda.gov. Questions about NIMS may be sent to NIMS-Integration-Center@dhs.gov; (202)646-3850; http://www.fema.gov/nims.


5) Two New Independent Study Courses from FEMA

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced the availability of two new courses - Continuity of Operations Awareness and Introduction to Continuity of Operations - on the National Emergency Training Center Virtual Campus. These courses are available electronically to any federal, state, local, or tribal official in the U.S.

Continuity of Operations (COOP) Awareness, IS-546: This one-hour Web-based course will provide public sector employees with an understanding of COOP terms, objectives, and its benefits to their organizations. The course provides a brief overview of the elements of a viable COOP capability.

Introduction to Continuity of Operations (COOP), IS-547: This five- hour Web-based course is designed for a broad federal audience from senior managers to those directly involved in the COOP planning effort. The COOP concepts presented in the course may also be applicable to other levels of government. The course provides a working knowledge of the COOP guidance found in Federal Preparedness Circular 65, Federal Executive Branch Continuity of Operations.

To register and complete the courses online, visit the FEMA Independent Study Program Web site at http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/IS/crslist.asp.


6) EPA Environmental Research Fellowships

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will award approximately 100 new fellowships for research in environmental fields of study through the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. The STAR program provides educational support for full-time master’s and doctoral level students who plan to pursue environmental careers with a focus on developing future leaders in environmental science, education, assessment, and restoration efforts. Examples of project areas undertaken by previous fellows include environmental engineering, environmental health sciences, toxicology, and the ecology of aquatic and terrestrial systems.

Fellows will receive up to $37,000 per year, with master’s degree candidates eligible for up to two years of support and doctoral candidates for a total of three years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or be lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Deadline for application is October 18, 2005. Awards for this selection process will be made by May 30, 2006, for the following fall term. Information on STAR fellowships is available at http://www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow/ or by contacting Stephanie Willett; (202)343-9737; e-mail: willett.stephanie@epa.gov.


7) Your New DR Editor

Greetings Readers,

I recently took over responsibilities at the Natural Hazards Center for compiling and editing the Disaster Research (DR) e-newsletter. The DR is meant to be a forum for sharing timely announcements on new policies and programs, available resources, job openings, funding opportunities, upcoming conferences, and other information useful to researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and students in the field of natural hazards and disasters. Readers are encouraged to submit questions, announcements, and other information to share with the list. I welcome your contributions and queries. Please e-mail me at hazctr@colorado.edu.

Thanks,
Julie Baxter


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.dotcr.ost.dot.gov/asp/emergencyprep.asp
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched this new Web site to provide information on safe and secure transportation for persons with disabilities in the event of a disaster or an emergency.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5428a1.htm
The July 22, 2005, issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report features this article, “Epidemiologic Assessment of the Impacts of Four Hurricanes - Florida 2004.” It summarizes the results of survey questions designed by the Florida Department of Health to assess the impact of the hurricanes on state residents.

http://commerce.senate.gov/hearings/witnesslist.cfm?id=1591
On July 27, the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s Disaster Prevention and Prediction Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the need for a national all-hazards alert and public warning system. Panelists’ prepared testimonies and an audio transcript of the hearing are available here.

http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/tsunami/sumatra05/
This new U.S. Geological Survey Web site titled, The 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Initial Findings from Sumatra, contains information gathered during an international survey conducted from January 20-29, 2005, as well as over 500 photographs.

http://www.englink.usace.army.mil/igp/
The intergovernmental plans Web site of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is designed to provide state, federal, and local governments with planning and execution guides for commodities distribution, emergency temporary power, and debris removal. Planning models for ice, water, and debris are also available.

http://www.icecontact.com/
The ICE (in case of emergency) campaign, which gained widespread coverage in the wake of the London bombings in July, encourages cell phone users to type the acronym ICE followed by an emergency contact name and phone number into the address book of their phones. This information can aid emergency responders in quickly notifying an individual’s ICE contact should the need arise. The background and details of ICE can be found at this Web site.


9) Conferences and Training

Yale New Haven International Congress on Disaster Medicine and Emergency Management. Organizer: Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response. New Haven, Connecticut: September 12-13, 2005. Conference attendees will learn current concepts, best practices, and latest advances in disaster medicine and emergency management from 45 international, national, and regional speakers in parallel tracks over two days. Conference sessions will focus on international, national, regional, and hospital emergency management; lessons learned from recent disasters; clinical disaster medicine; the role of public health in disasters; and hot topics in emergency management. Conference agenda and registration information can be found at http://yalenewhavenhealth.org/emergency/commu/natlconf.html or by contacting Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response, 1 Church Street, 5th Floor, New Haven, CT 06510; (203) 688-3224; e-mail: center@ynhh.org.

International City/County Management Association (ICMA) 91st Annual Conference. Minneapolis, Minnesota: September 25-28, 2005. This annual conference offers educational, information-sharing, and networking tools to help manage communities in today’s complex local government environment. For more information, e-mail: ICMAConference@icma.org or visit http://icma.org/conference2005/.

John C. Cutler Global Health Lecture. Sponsor: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: September 29, 2005, 4:00 p.m. EDT. Eric Noji, special assistant to the U.S. Surgeon General for Emergency Preparedness and Response, will give the second annual John C. Cutler Global Health Lecture on the topic of the science of disasters, titled The Public Health Consequences of Disasters: Challenges for Public Health Action. For information on viewing or distributing this lecture by video conference, phone, PowerPoint, or print media, write to Ronald LaPorte at ronaldlaporte@gmail.com. Additional information on the lecture is available on the Web at http://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/specialevents/cutler2005/index.html.

2005 Mid-Atlantic All Hazards Forum (AHF) Conference and Exhibition. Baltimore, Maryland: October 25-28, 2005. The AHF is a public-private partnership of Mid-Atlantic States and private corporations founded to improve regional homeland security and emergency management by facilitating dialogue among state directors and increasing interaction between state and local governments and industry. Participants in the conference will discuss best practices, procurement procedures, technological advances, strategic planning and implementation, training and education, and readiness response and recovery within the context of all hazards. For more information, contact Addy Kennedy; (301) 493-5500, x3324; e-mail: kennedy@ejkrause.com; http://www.allhazardsforum.com/.

Weather and Society*Integrated Studies (WAS*IS) Workshops. Organizers: National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Societal Impacts Program and the U.S. Weather Research Program. Boulder, Colorado: November 7-11, 2005 and March 6-10 2006. This two-part workshop is designed for people who feel strongly about the need to bring together the weather research and user communities in order to make weather relevant, but who might not know how to do that, where to begin, or other people with similar interests. Transportation, lodging, and food costs will be covered by those selected to participate in the workshop. The application deadline is September 2, 2005. See the WAS*IS Web page http://www.ral.ucar.edu/was_is to read more or contact Eve Gruntfest; (303)497-8116; e-mail: ecg@ucar.edu or Julie Demuth; (303)497-8112; e-mail: jdemuth@ucar.edu with questions.

CPM Canada 2005: An Alliance for Global Survival. Organizer: Contingency Planning and Management (CPM). Vancouver, Canada: December 6-8, 2005. This conference offers education and training in business continuity, continuity of operations, emergency management, and security. Session topics include Strategies for Protecting Global Information Systems, Internal Ramifications of Regulatory Issues for Global Corporations, and Planning for Disaster: Recovering a Global Business When Adversity Strikes. For more information, visit the Web site http://www.contingencyplanning.com/events/canada/ or contact WPC Expositions, 20 Commerce Street, Suite 2013, Flemington, NJ 08822; (908) 788-0343; x135; e-mail: CPM2005@witterpublishing.com.

Atmospheric Science and Policy Research - 2006 AMS Conference. Organizer: American Meteorological Society (AMS). Atlanta, Georgia: January 29-February 2, 2006. The broad theme of the 86th annual meeting is “Applications of Weather and Climate Data” with an emphasis on documenting success stories in the applications of atmospheric, hydrologic, and oceanic sciences and on the research needed to continue benefitting from new knowledge. For more information, contact the annual meeting program staff at (617)227-2426 or visit the conference Web site at http://www.ametsoc.org/meet/annual/.

Study and Management of Geologic Risks Postgraduate Training Course. Organizer: Centre d’Etude des Risques Geologiques (CERG) at the University of Geneva. Geneva, Switzerland: April 24-June 16, 2006. The objective of this course is for students to develop expertise in the field of natural risk mitigation, by integrating it in the planning of sustainable development. It offers a multidisciplinary approach in the search for solutions for a society confronted with natural risks and aims to develop experts who can advise the public and private sectors to take preventive measures to reduce the impact of natural disasters. The training is intended for geologists, geographers, geotechnicians, civil engineers and land planners with an interest in humanitarian relief. For more information, visit the Web site http://www.unige.ch/hazards/ or contact Francoise Grondahl, Universite de Geneve CERG-Secretariat, Departement de Mineralogie, 13 rue des Maraichers, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland; phone: 0041 22 379 66 02; e-mail: cerg@unige.ch.


10) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

_________________________________
Project Coordinator
UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters, Los Angeles, California

The University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Center for Public Health and Disasters is seeking a project coordinator to oversee day-to-day activities and projects within the Center.

Responsibilities will include the following:

  • Work with state and local health departments in the field of emergency public health to increase preparedness in planning for and responding to bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, and other public health emergencies;
  • Participate in research design, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of results;
  • Develop and manage qualitative and quantitative databases, participate in education and training activities, coordinate meetings with partners, and track and report on project activities; and
  • Collaborate with health departments, subcontractors, and funding agencies as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated work experience as a project manager, including planning and implementation and a strong basis in emergency public health and disaster management
  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
  • Ability to be resourceful, think and write critically, and analyze complex problems
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines
  • Excellent oral communication skills to interact with principal investigators, staff, health departments, academicians, government entities, and external audiences
  • Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods and data collection
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Windows XP, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; data management software (e.g., dBASE, Paradox, Access), analytic software (e.g., SPSS, SAS); and Internet databases and search tools
  • Working knowledge of confidentiality requirements and funding agency guidelines for extramural funded research preferred
  • Demonstrated experience working with public health agencies in planning for disasters preferred
  • Graduate degree in public health, public policy, or related field preferred

For general information regarding UCLA job openings, visit the Web site http://www.chr.ucla.edu/chr/tabs/frameset_main_jobs.html. To apply for this position, send a cover letter and resume to cphdr@ucla.edu and reference job number 4762. If you have additional questions about this opening, contact Allison Kamerman;(310)794-0864; e-mail: ajlevine@ucla.edu.

_________________________________
Program Operations Specialist, Resources Team
U.S. AID, Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (U.S. AID) Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) seeks applications from U.S. citizens and U.S. resident aliens for a program operations specialist, resources team based in Washington, DC The program operations specialist will be responsible for providing support for various operational aspects of the Program Support Division within the OFDA. As directed by, and under the supervision of the resources team leader or his/her designee, the position will assist in carrying out functions related to the management of contracts for program-funded personnel, procurement, procurement planning, office administration, and security.

Deadline for application is August 22, 2005. For more information on the position, visit http://www.globalcorps.com/jobseek.html. Any questions may be directed to Amy Feldman or Stephanie Paul at (202) 661-9377 or (202) 661-9369, e-mail: pos@globalcorps.com.

All applications should be submitted to:

GlobalCorps
1201 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20004
E-mail: pos@globalcorps.com
Fax: (240)465-0244

_________________________________
Faculty Position - Homeland Security
College of Continuing Studies, University of Connecticut

The College of Continuing Studies at the University of Connecticut is searching for a faculty member with expertise in homeland security and/or strategic security. The candidate must have a terminal degree in a related field. The successful candidate should be able to lead the development of curricula for this evolving field and should be comfortable with developing and delivering online graduate level courses in homeland security related topics for the master of professional studies (MPS) in homeland security leadership specialization. The candidate should have academic experience with public safety, emergency management, and/or homeland security graduate programs. Professional experience in law enforcement or security management is an advantage.

Candidates should have sound working knowledge of homeland security current affairs, including applicable presidential directives, the National Response Plan, National Incident Management System, national planning scenarios, target capabilities, universal task lists, training, exercise, and assessment requirements promulgated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Domestic Preparedness, and other pertinent documents related to homeland security strategy and policy. Teaching experience with adult university students is required and knowledge of online programming is preferred. The ability to develop and deliver security related courses for the private sector (e.g., business asset protection, business continuity planning) is essential.

Responsibilities of the position also include faculty oversight responsibilities for the new MPS specialization in homeland security leadership. Extension professors at the University of Connecticut are expected to develop and teach courses, implement programs, provide scholarship leadership in their field, and conduct research as appropriate to their discipline. This is a non tenure track, renewable 11-month faculty position beginning as soon as possible. The application deadline is September 15, 2005.

Send letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references to:

Beverly A. Salcius
College of Continuing Studies
University of Connecticut
One Bishop Circle, Unit 4056
Storrs, CT 06269-4056

_________________________________
Global Risk Identification Program Coordinator
United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Geneva, Switzerland

This position is a one-year assignment in the Disaster Reduction Unit of the Bureau of Crisis Prevention and Recovery. The position is responsible for designing and developing the Global Risk Identification program and building the network through a process of consultation with partners, feasibility analysis, and project planning. The coordinator will be responsible for developing all aspects of the program proposal, including expected outcomes, objectives and activities, program governance and management structures, indicative budget and fund-raising strategy, and a three to five year work plan.

The position requires an advanced degree in international development or a related field and at least seven years of experience in disaster risk management that includes field experience. The job announcement and information on how to apply can be found on the Web at http://cfapp2.undp.org/jobs/view_job.cfm?job_id=561.

_________________________________
Coastal Hazards Specialist
NOAA Coastal Services Center, Charleston, South Carolina

I.M. Systems Group, Inc. (IMSG) seeks an individual with experience in coastal hazards and geographic information systems (GIS) to support the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center, assisting with a variety of coastal hazards related projects. As part of the NOAA National Ocean Service, the center’s mission is to support the environmental, social, and economic well being of the coast by linking people, information, and technology.

The successful candidate will work at the Coastal Information Services Branch, GIS Integration and Development program area providing content expertise and technical support to a variety of projects focused on solutions to evaluating and mitigating threats from natural coastal hazards. Responsibilities include project management of large multi partner hazards projects that may include technical needs assessment, application development, and education and outreach components. The position requires extensive collaboration with federal, state, and local government, academia, and non governmental organizations to develop and apply advanced geospatial technical solutions for coastal management and emergency management decision making. The successful applicant will work to employ various geospatial or GIS related technologies to help address coastal hazards issues including, but not limited to, coastal erosion, tsunami, hurricanes and other coastal storms, inland and coastal flooding, and sea level rise and subsidence. Additional duties will include spatial analyses pertaining to disaster planning and vulnerability assessment, as well as training and participation in workshops and conferences including organizing, presenting, and moderating.

Required qualifications:

  • Bachelor of science degree in the natural sciences or related discipline and five years relevant work experience or master of science degree and three years experience
  • Excellent communications skills, both written and oral
  • Demonstrated familiarity with spatial analysis as applied to coastal hazards
  • Experience in planning for and managing pre and post disaster events and/or experience working with local, state, or federal government, preferably with emergency management practitioners, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or the National Weather Service

Desired qualifications:

  • Two to four years experience with GIS software, preferably with ESRI’s ArcView 3.x or ArcGIS 8.x, and familiarity with ArcIMS, Spatial Analyst and 3-D Analyst
  • Knowledge of coastal hazards policy, coastal zone management concepts, urban and regional planning, and remote sensing

Salary is negotiable based on experience. Applicants should e-mail their resume and salary requirements to jobs@imsg.com. For more information, visit http://www.imsg.com/career_center/JobDetail.asp?JobID=177.

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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