DISASTER RESEARCH 457
July 14, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Nominations Sought for UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction
- NEMA Announces Distinguished Service in Emergency Management Award
- Request for Submissions on Natural Disasters and Poverty
- FCC Seeks Comments: Katrina Impact on Communications Networks
- Some New Web Resources
- Conferences and Training
- Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
1) Nominations Sought for UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction
The 2007 nomination process for the United Nations (UN) Sasakawa Award for Disaster Reduction is now open to individuals and institutions from all sectors of society involved in issues related to disaster risk reduction. The purpose of the award is to reward individuals and institutions from around the world who contributed through innovative practices and outstanding initiatives to reducing the risk and vulnerabilities of communities to natural hazards.
The award ceremony will be held on the International Day for Disaster Reduction on October 10, 2007. The UN Sasakawa Award selection process will remain open for a full calendar year to encourage a greater number of applicants from all walks of life; the closing date for submitting nominations is June 29, 2007. Candidates may be nominated by former Sasakawa Award laureates, representatives of institutions specializing in disaster reduction, UN specialized agencies, resident coordinators of the UN System, and permanent missions to the UN office in Geneva.
To learn more about the award and the nomination process, visit http://www.unisdr.org/eng/sasakawa/2007/Sasakwa-Award-2007-English.pdf.
2) NEMA Announces Distinguished Service in Emergency Management Award
In recognition of the men and women who have dedicated their careers and lives to making citizens and communities safer from both natural disasters and terrorist events, the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) has announced the Distinguished Service in Emergency Management Award. The award will be presented annually to an individual who has made outstanding contributions throughout his or her career to any or all facets of emergency management, including the areas of preparedness, mitigation, response, or recovery at a local, state, regional, or national level. The career accomplishments should be of unusual merit.
The NEMA Board of Directors is responsible for reviewing nominations and making award determinations. The board is interested in specific activities and accomplishments of the nominee rather than general background. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Nominations should include a one-page summary of those accomplishments or activities that merit consideration for an award. Supporting materials, such as newspaper clippings, resolutions, and letters of support, may also be included.
The award will be presented in conjunction with the NEMA 2006 Annual Conference to be held September 18-22, 2006, in Orange Beach, Alabama. All emergency management agencies, departments, and organizations are invited to nominate candidates by August 1, 2006. To nominate someone, send the nomination form and supporting materials to National Emergency Management Association, Distinguished Service Award, PO Box 11910, Lexington, KY 40578; (859) 244-8233; fax: (859) 244-8239; http://www.nemaweb.org/?1601.
3) Request for Submissions on Natural Disasters and Poverty
An upcoming issue of the Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy will focus on the relationship between natural disasters and poverty. The journal invites the submission of articles on this topic related to Hurricane Katrina, as well as other natural disasters, both domestic and international. Articles, case studies, case comments, and narrative submissions will be considered for publication. All methodologies are welcomed, particularly those with innovative approaches to poverty law and policy. All authors published in the issue will be invited to participate in a follow-up conference on natural disasters in Washington, DC, (date to be determined) where they may present on their article topic and meet with other scholars, policy makers, and practitioners in the field.
All articles should be submitted on or before August 1, 2006. Additional information about the journal and submission guidelines can be found at http://www.law.georgetown.edu/journals/poverty/. Questions should be directed to Wendy Heller at (317) 490-1666 or wrh7@law.georgetown.edu.
4) FCC Seeks Comments: Katrina Impact on Communications Networks
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) invites comments on the actions the commission can take to address the recommendations of the Independent Panel Reviewing the Impact of Hurricane Katrina on Communications Networks. The recommendations relate to prepositioning the communications industry and the government for disasters to achieve greater network reliability and resiliency, improving recovery coordination to address existing shortcomings and to maximize the use of existing resources, improving the operability and interoperability of public safety and 911 communications in times of crisis, and improving communication of emergency information to the public. The commission, in this proceeding, is to take the lessons learned from this disaster and build upon them to promote more effective, efficient response and recovery efforts as well as heightened readiness and preparedness in the future.
The document summarizing the comprehensive rulemaking to address and implement the recommendations presented by the independent panel is available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/06-6013.htm. Comments must be submitted by August 7, 2006. Send comments to the Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW, Room TW-A325, Washington, DC 20554. Follow the instructions for submitting comments at the FCC’s Web site at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/.
5) Selected 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 www.colorado.edu/hazards/resources/.]
CRS Report: FEMA Reorganization Legislation in the 109th Congress
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) authored this report about the legislation introduced by the U.S. Congress in both the House and the Senate to alter federal emergency management organizational structures and responsibilities, amend authorities that guide federal action, impose emergency management leadership qualification requirements, and make other changes.
CRS Report: Disaster Evacuation and Displacement Policy
Disaster Evacuation and Displacement Policy: Issues for Congress from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) summarizes federal policy options to more fully integrate federal and state authorities in emergency evacuation.
CRS Report: Disaster Emergency Supplemental Appropriations, 1989-2005
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation for Disaster Assistance: Summary Data FY1989 to FY2005, provides summary information on emergency supplemental appropriations enacted after major disasters since 1989.
A People's Guide to Building Damages and Disaster Safe Construction
UNNATI (Organization for Development Education), a nonprofit organization based in India, developed this guidebook, which presents an elementary understanding of structural damages that occur due to the most common vulnerabilities in houses of poor quality construction and provides basic guidelines for safer methods of construction.
AGU White Paper: Hurricanes and the U.S. Gulf Coast
This white paper titled Hurricanes and the U.S. Gulf Coast: Science and Sustainable Rebuilding from the American Geophysical Union (AGU) summarizes the discussions and recommendations of a conference of 20 experts convened by the AGU in January 2006. Participants met to discuss what Earth and space scientists know about the science that undergirds the present environment in New Orleans and Gulf Coast areas affected by hurricanes in 2005, to determine what data are presently available for use by decision makers, and to state what the future needs are in research, development, and monitoring.
Natural Disaster and Disaster Risk Reduction Measures
This report was prepared by Environmental Resources Management on behalf of the United Kingdom Department for International Development. The objective of the report is to present a high-level, desk-based assessment of the economic costs of disasters, and of the costs and benefits of various approaches to managing the risks of natural disasters, in the context of increasing donor and nongovernmental organization activity in disaster risk reduction.
Proceedings of the 2006 Wildland Fire Safety Summit
The proceedings from the 9th Wildland Fire Safety Summit held in Pasadena, Califonia, April 25-28, 2006, are available here.
National Flood Insurance Program - Current Financial Situation
The acting director of the Congressional Budget Office wrote this letter to the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget to respond to questions about the financial condition of the National Flood Insurance Program and its ability to meet its obligations to the U.S. Treasury and to its policyholders.
ReadyBusiness: Preparing a Disaster Business Plan
The Extension Disaster Education Network and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security developed this free Web-based, three-hour course to help participants understand the importance of a disaster plan, share ideas, and develop the beginning of a disaster plan for their business. The course is designed for use by land grant university specialists, cooperative extension service educators, and/or volunteers interested in helping small- and medium-sized businesses survive potential disasters.
1972 Black Hills - Rapid City Flood Revisited
The U.S. Geological Survey developed this Web page of photographs and information on the 1972 Black Hills - Rapid City flood in South Dakota.
NOAA “Service Assessment: Hurricane Katrina August 23-31, 2005"
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service released this internal evaluation of its operations during Hurricane Katrina.
EIIP Virtual Forum: “The Nationwide Plan Review: A Local Perspective”
A transcript of the Emergency Information and Infrastructure Program (EIIP) Virtual Forum presentation titled “The Nationwide Plan Review: A Local Perspective” may be found here.
6) Conferences and Trainings
[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.]
Mitigating Violence Against Women in Disasters. Denver, Colorado: August 14, 2006. Host: University of Colorado Center on Domestic Violence. Through lecture, discussion, and video, this interactive one-day workshop will explore what is known about women’s lives before, during, and after disaster. Topics addressed will include factors that put girls and women at increased risk in disasters, violence against women in disaster contexts internationally, lessons learned by previous disaster-impacted service programs, and why women and women’s organizations are critical to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Participants may register by mail or e-mail, contact the University of Colorado Center on Domestic Violence at (303) 315-2743 or cdv@cudenver.edu.
Metropolitan Medical Response System Tri-National Conference on Cross Border Collaboration: Responding to Emergencies across International Boundaries. South Padre Island, Texas: August 21-24, 2006. Host: Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC). Topics at the conference will include Best Practices of Cross-Border Collaboration Canada-United States and Mexico-United States, Pandemic Flu, National Incident Management System, Next Steps, and Lessons Learned from Hurricane Katrina. For more information, contact Sandra Boyd, LRGVDC; (956) 682-3481; sboyd@lrgvdc.org; http://www.lrgvdc.org/downloads/mmrs/mmrs-leaflet.pdf.
National States Geographic Information Council 2006 Annual Conference. Little Rock, Arkansas: October 1-5, 2006. This conference is committed to efficient and effective government through the prudent adoption of geospatial information technologies. It includes sessions on homeland security and transportation, as well as a Federal Emergency Management Agency map modernization update. For further information, contact the National States Geographic Information Council; (443) 640-1075 x108; diane@ksgroup.org; http://www.nsgic.org/events/2006_conference.cfm.
2006 International Conference on Disaster Management and Human Security in Africa. Kakamega, Kenya: October 11-14, 2006. Organizers: Centre for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance at Western University College of Science and Technology, Kenya, and Coventry Centre for Disaster Management at Coventry University, United Kingdom. The overall objective of this conference is to encourage debate on issues of risk management, prevention, planning, control, and policy and crisis management in the face of unforeseen disasters and emerging hazards on the African continent. To learn more, contact the Centre for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, Western University College of Science and Technology at cdmha2004@yahoo.com; http://www.wust.ac.ke/cdma%20seminar.htm.
The Ravage of the Planet 2006: First International Conference on the Management of Natural Resources, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Hazards. Bariloche, Argentina: December 12-14, 2006. Organizers: Wessex Institute of Technology, United Kingdom, and University of Siena, Italy. This conference aims to attract researchers and professionals involved in ecosystems and environmental problems, as well as technology experts, policy makers, and social and political scientists, and initiate interdisciplinary discussion. For more information, contact Zoey Bluff, Wessex Institute of Technology; +44 (0) 238 029 3223; zbluff@wessex.ac.uk; http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2006/planet06/.
7) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
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Postdoctoral Research Associate
Arizona State University: Tempe, Arizona
The Global Institute of Sustainability and the Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) at Arizona State University seek a postdoctoral research associate in the broad area of society and natural resources with particular interests in vulnerability analysis. The particular discipline is open, but someone with interdisciplinary experience and strong social science skills, including qualitative and spatial analyses, is ideal. The successful candidate will participate in a range of projects related to DCDC’s mission to study human vulnerability in the face of climatic uncertainty. DCDC reports to Arizona State University’s Global Institute of Sustainability, which also houses various other research projects focused on the urban environment.
Required qualifications are an earned PhD at the time of appointment and demonstrated experience in vulnerability analysis and water resources research. Desired qualifications include demonstrated experience in interdisciplinary environmental research; strong social science skills, including qualitative and spatial analyses; and strong verbal and written communication skills. Expertise in one or more of the following areas is also highly desirable: water resource policy, the role of science and technology in resource decision making, vulnerability mapping, human cognition and behavior, human/cultural/political ecology, urban/environmental hazards, and drought perception.
Review of applications will begin on July 7 2006; if the position is not filled, reviews will occur each week thereafter until the search is closed. Applicants must submit a letter of application addressing the job criteria, a current curriculum vitae, and names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mails of three professional references to Karen Gronberg, DCDC PD Search, Global Institute of Sustainability, PO Box 873211, Tempe, AZ 85287-3211; GIOSjobs@asu.edu. More information is available online at http://dcdc.asu.edu/news/062806.htm.
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.