Disaster Research 469
January 11, 2007
Table of Contents
- Call for Papers: Annual Hazards and Disasters Student Paper Competition
- Hurricane Center Chief Retires with a Final Warning
- 6 of 75 Cities Get Top Rating in DHS Interoperable Communications Assessment
- President Bush Signs S. 3678: The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act
- Gilbert F. White Lecture Series Announcement
- Call for Applications: WAS*IS (Weather and Society * Integrated Studies)
- Call for Ideas: Restoration 2007
- Call for Papers: Yale Journal of Public Health—“Katrina: 18 Months Later”
- Call for Participants: “Technological Disasters: Memory and Imagination”
- Some New Web Resources
- Conferences, Training, and Events
- Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
1) Call for Papers: Annual Hazards and Disasters Student Paper Competition
The Natural Hazards Center is pleased to announce its fourth annual Hazards and Disasters Student Paper Competition.
Papers may present current research, literature reviews, theoretical arguments, or case studies. Paper topics may include, but are not limited to, floods/floodplain management, Hurricane Katrina, earthquakes, climate change, warning systems, hazard mitigation, emergency management, vulnerability, or other topics relevant to the social/behavioral aspects of hazards and disasters.
Papers will be judged on their originality, organization, and demonstrated knowledge of the topic. One undergraduate and one graduate winner each will receive $100; mention in the Natural Hazards Observer; publication on the Natural Hazards Web site; and an invitation to the Annual Hazards Workshop in Boulder, Colorado, registration fees included.
The deadline for submission is March 16, 2007. Additional information is available at: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/awards/paper-competition.html.
2) Hurricane Center Chief Retires with a Final Warning
Max Mayfield, the director of the National Hurricane Center for 34 years, left his post on January 3 with one last word of warning:
“We’re eventually going to get a strong enough storm in a densely populated area to have a major disaster. I know people don’t want to hear this, and I’m generally a very positive person, but we’re setting ourselves up for this major disaster,” he told the LA Times.
Mayfield, who worked for the center through 509 hurricanes and over 900 named storms, said that 10 times as many people could die in this inevitable huge storm as did in Hurricane Katrina.
During his farewell breakfast in Miami, Mayfield again stressed preparation as the key to lessening lives and property lost.
“You can't afford to wait for the hurricane to come knocking at your door before you get prepared,” he said. “You may think that you've seen the worst of the hurricanes, but I assure you that you have not. We have a lot of work to do.”
On the role of the federal government in disaster response, said Mayfield: “You don’t want the federal government to be your first-responders. The government can’t do everything for people and it shouldn’t, or else you create a culture of dependence.”
The LA Times article can be found here: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-
hurricane3jan03,0,3253020.story?coll=la-home-headlines
3) 6 of 75 Cities Get Top Rating in DHS Interoperable Communications Assessment
Only six of 75 United States cities received top grades in the Department of Homeland Security’s assessment of their interoperable communications capabilities. Interoperable communications involve policies, technology, and training that enable law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services from multiple jurisdictions in a common community to effectively communicate within one hour of an incident.
The six cities and surrounding areas netting the highest scores are Washington, D.C.; San Diego, California; Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota; Columbus, Ohio; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Laramie County, Wyoming.
Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Mandan, North Dakota; and American Samoa received the lowest ratings.
The reviews focused on three main areas: Governance (leadership and strategic planning); Standard Operating Procedures (plans and procedures); and Usage (use of equipment).
The findings identify gaps and areas for improvement. Key findings include:
-Policies for interoperable communications are now in place in all 75 urban and metropolitan areas.
-Regular testing and exercises are needed to effectively link disparate systems and facilitate communications between multi-jurisdictional responders (including state and federal).
-Cooperation among first responders in the field is strong, but formalized governance (leadership and strategic planning) across regions is not as advanced.
The scorecards illustrate the current capability for each area and provide recommendations for improvement. The reviews were conducted by five panels of experts composed of state and local public safety and communications technology experts, in addition to representatives from the department's Wireless Management Office and SAFECOM, a communications program within the Office for Interoperability and Compatibility.
Since 2003, DHS has awarded $2.9 billion in funding to enhance state and local interoperable communications efforts. While scorecard findings will not directly affect homeland security grant funding, it is expected that eligible communities will use the scorecard to target their investment justifications and improve interoperable communications capabilities.
To view the interoperable communications report and its findings, see http://www.dhs.gov.
4) President Bush Signs S. 3678: The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act
On December 19, 2006, President Bush signed into law the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (S. 3678), marking a major milestone in improving public health and hospital preparedness for bioterrorist attacks, pandemics, and other catastrophes. The bill will also improve the development of new medical countermeasures, such as medicines and vaccines, against biosecurity threats. Major highlights of the legislation’s initiatives are summarized below.
-Creates the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and consolidates the responsibilities for federal public health and medical emergency preparedness and response activities under that office.
-Requires the Secretary of HHS to appoint an official who will provide guidance to public health agencies on incorporating the needs of at-risk individuals in federal, state, and local preparedness and response strategies.
-Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to Congress the National Health Security Strategy for coordinated public health preparedness and response.
-Provides for grants to state and select local public health entities to improve health security.
-Requires the Secretary — in consultation with state, local, and tribal officials as well as private entities — to develop or adopt measurable, evidence-based benchmarks to gauge preparedness.
-Requires the Secretary to establish a nationwide, near real-time electronic public health situational awareness capability.
More information about the passage of S. 3678 can be found on the Center for Biosecurity’s Web site: http://www.upmc-biosecurity.org/.
5) Gilbert F. White Lecture Series Announcement
The Geographical Sciences Committee of the National Academy of Sciences announces the inaugural Gilbert F. White Lecture in the Geographical Sciences at The National Academies Keck Center in Washington, D.C. The lecture, to be given by independent scholar Robert Kates, is entitled ‘Gilbert F. White, 1911-2006, Great Aspirations: Local Studies, National Comparisons, Global Challenges.’
The aim of the Gilbert F. White lecture series — developed with his blessing — is to focus on connections between the geographical sciences and society. It will both honor Dr. White and also use his example as an inspiration for geographers to share their work on the connections between science and society.
The lecture will begin at 5:30 p.m. on January 24, 2007, in Room 100 of The National Academies Keck Center, 500 Fifth St NW, Washington, D.C., 20001. Additional information can be found on the GSC Web site: http://dels.nas.edu/besr/gsc.shtml. Please RSVP to Caetie Ofiesh at cofiesh@nas.edu at your earliest convenience.
6) Call for Applications: WAS*IS (Weather and Society * Integrated Studies)
The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Societal Impacts Program (SIP) announces a call for applications for the 2007 Summer WAS*IS workshop. WAS*IS is a movement to fully integrate social science into meteorological research and practice by building an interdisciplinary community of practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders who want to learn and explore new tools, methods, and concepts for more effective socio-economic applications and evaluations of weather products.
Visit http://www.sip.ucar.edu/wasis/ to read more about WAS*IS and to apply for the 2007 Summer WAS*IS workshop. Applications are due Monday, March 26, 2007.
Contact Eve Gruntfest, ecg@uccs.edu, or Julie Demuth, jdemuth@ucar.edu, with any questions.
7) Call for Ideas: Restoration 2007
ICMA, the premier local government leadership and management organization, will convene the second annual conference on restoration from May 2–4 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Restoration 2007 focuses on building leadership; establishing networks among government, private sector, and non-profit organizations for recovery after a disaster; and sharing innovative and leading recovery practices.
The conference will feature interactive learning and strategy sessions that are outcome-oriented, peer exchange networking, roundtable discussions, and a solutions-provider exhibit hall that will feature information and resources for successfully and sustainably bringing about community, economic, and environmental recovery after a disaster.
In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, the first concern is rescue and safety of human life, followed by short-term actions like damage assessment, cleanup, service restoration, and more. But once the rescue personnel have all gone home, local communities and regional economies face the often-daunting task of rebuilding their way of life. Restoration 2007: Leadership, Networks, and Innovation for Post-Disaster Recovery will provide the tools and help redevelopment following a destructive man-made or natural event, and conference organizers are now soliciting ideas for inclusion into the 2007 workshop.
Deadline for ideas is January 15. See http://www.restoration2007.org for more information.
8) Call for Papers: Yale Journal of Public Health — “Katrina: 18 Months Later”
The Yale Journal of Public Health is a magazine put out by Yale undergraduates and funded by the Yale School of Public Health, now in its fourth year. The theme of the spring issue is "Katrina: 18 Months Later,” and editors are looking for current students and relatively recent graduates on the Gulf Coast who were studying, writing, and living the recovery process. Editors are calling for reflections on what students and professionals learned and achieved in the post-Katrina Gulf.
“This is an opportunity to place your daily grind and study into the arc of the fundamental concepts driving disaster recovery and public health and health care generally. This could also be a forum to put a human, narrative face on the health care redesign and recovery process. There's a lot of flexibility here as long as you care about the recovery of the Gulf and about writing. If you're in school now you could think about adapting a paper,” says Yale alumnus and Journal of Public Health founder Tom Cannell.
The editors will need a draft by the end of January, with some flexibility.
Tom Cannell will answer any questions: thomascannell@gmail.com.
9) Call for Participants: “Technological Disasters: Memory and Imagination”
The Society for the Anthropology of North America Conference, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from April 19–21, includes a panel on technological disasters — and organizers are looking for potential participants. The session abstract follows:
“Technology has been culpable for a variety of unnatural disasters, ranging from widespread illness and environmental contamination caused by chemical and nuclear accidents, to debilitating or deadly side effects of novel drugs and medical devices. Although these technological disasters are in one sense singular events, each attributed to a highly contingent set of circumstances, they simultaneously represent the inherent risks of technology. As a result, knowledge of particular technological disasters and the fear that they might recur shapes and even inspires efforts by professional communities, regulatory agencies, and activist groups to confront and manage technological risk. Seemingly singular disasters thus come to have systematic consequences for professional practice, public policy, and public perception.
“This session explores the processes and discourses by which remembered and imagined disasters influence attempts to create, control, and understand technology and its associated risks. In the process, it considers the connections and distinctions drawn between diverse technological developments in order to establish, for example, the (ir)relevance of prior disastrous innovations to assessments of emerging technologies. It also contrasts the ways that diverse communities including scientists, engineers, policy makers, consumers, patients, and citizens remember, imagine, and interpret technological disasters, highlighting heterogeneity and disagreement as a fundamental part of efforts at making meaning of technological disasters.”
The deadline for submissions is January 15. Contact Gwen Ottinger at ottinger@virginia.edu.
10) Some New Web Resources
[Below are some new or updated Internet resources we have discovered. For an extensive list of useful Internet sites dealing with hazards, see http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/resources/.]
Stop Disasters!
The UN/ISDR produced an online game to engage and teach children, ages 9–16, how to protect cities and villages against natural hazards through disaster risk planning and management. The online game includes five natural hazard scenarios (flooding, tsunami, wildfire, hurricane, and earthquake) with different levels of difficulty that require critical decision-making and strategic planning. The game is accessible by children all over the world, with limited computer access and limited bandwidth. More than 90 percent of the world’s internet users can play the game.
Dare to Prepare
Earthquake professionals, business and community leaders, emergency managers, and others have joined together to organize Dare to Prepare, a year-long earthquake readiness campaign to raise earthquake awareness and encourage earthquake readiness in southern California. Acknowledging that “Shift Happens,” the main message of the Dare to Prepare campaign is that if you “Secure Your Space” you can protect yourself, your family, and your property.
RSOE HAVARIA Emergency and Disaster Information Service
This world map, from Hungary’s National Association of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications and the Havaria Emergency and Disaster Information Service, shows disasters and emergencies around the world, as they happen. Included are earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tropical storms, tornadoes, hail, and airplane incidents, among others.
FluAid 2.0
FluAid 2.0 is designed to assist state and local level planners in preparing for the next influenza pandemic by providing estimates of potential impact specific to their locality. FluAid provides only a range of estimates of impact in terms of deaths, hospitalizations, and outpatients visits due to pandemic influenza.
Hazards of Nature, Risks to Development–An IEG evaluation of World Bank Assistance for Natural Disasters
This report is the first-ever assessment of World Bank assistance for natural disasters, and one of the most comprehensive reviews of disaster preparedness and response ever conducted. The report calls for new thinking that integrates predictable disaster risks into development programs. The reports concludes that it is possible to anticipate where many natural disasters will strike, yet expresses concerns that the World Bank’s disaster assistance efforts of underutilizing these vital lifesaving forecasts.
Improve Patient Safety by Ramping up Emergency Communications
Angela Devlen of the Business Continuity Planning Workshop for Healthcare Organizations speaks live to address standards around crisis communications in hospitals. She will present on technology solutions for facilitating communications with leadership and hospital staff in the event of a crisis and explain what the command center should look for in a solution. Devlen will establish the business case of how technology can enhance a multitude of scenarios—ultimately improving patient safety. This webinar takes place January 24, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. CDT.
Successful Response Starts with a Map: Improving Geospatial Support for Disaster Management
Geospatial data describe the locations of things on the earth’s surface, and geospatial tools manipulate such data to create useful products. Thus, this report is about the maps that are an essential part of search and rescue operations, about the GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers that allow first responders to locate damaged buildings or injured residents, about images that are captured from aircraft to provide the first comprehensive picture of an event’s impact, about road maps that form the basis of evacuation planning, and about all of the other information connected to a location that can be used in emergency management. From the National Research Council of the National Academies, this book can be read free online, or purchased in hard copy.
Trust for America's Health. Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health From Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
The “Ready or Not?” report contains state-by-state health preparedness scores based on 10 key indicators to assess health emergency preparedness capabilities. All 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia were evaluated. Half of states scored six or less on the scale of 10 indicators. Oklahoma scored the highest with 10 out of 10; California, Iowa, Maryland, and New Jersey scored the lowest with 4 out of 10.
BS25999 - British Code of Practice for Business Continuity Management
BS25999 is the British code of practice for business continuity management. BS25999.com is a web resource for those seeking information, guidance and discussion on BS25999 specifically, and also business continuity and emergency management in general. The site includes all the latest and relevant news, an overview of the standards, implementation guidance, web links, a newsletter, a discussion forum, image and file libraries, and useful directories. Though BS25999 is a British standard, it is applicable to an international audience.
10) Conferences, Training, and Events
[Below are some recent announcements received by the Natural Hazards Center. For a comprehensive list of upcoming hazards-related meetings, visit our Web site at http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/resources/conferences.html.]
National Severe Weather Workshop—Norman, Oklahoma: March 1–3
Organizers: NOAA, the National Weather Service, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, the Oklahoma Emergency Management Association, and the Central Oklahoma Chapter of the American Meteorological Society/National Weather Association.
The National Severe Weather Workshop will feature the nation's premiere severe weather experts discussing the latest research and forecasting techniques. Designed for emergency managers, storm spotters, media, educators, meteorologists, and other weather enthusiasts, the workshop will offer a unique opportunity to expand your understanding of the role of the Storm Prediction Center, National Weather Service forecast offices, emergency managers, broadcast meteorologists, educators, and others involved in severe weather events. For more information, visit: http://www.norman.noaa.gov/nsww2007/index.html.
2nd Alexander von Humboldt Conference on the Role of Geophysics in Natural Disaster Prevention—Lima, Peru: March 5–9
Organizer: European Geosciences Union.
The recent catastrophic events related to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina have brought the subject of disaster prevention to higher levels, in both the scientific and decision making communities. This meeting aims at discussing improved geophysical methods for the evaluation of natural hazards as part of a more general risk-assured effort and risk-reduction process. For more information, visit: http://meetings.copernicus.org/avh2.
International Conference on Water and Flood Management—Dhaka, Bangladesh: March 12–14
Organizers: Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
The purpose of this conference is to discuss problems and issues and to advance knowledge on water and flood management in order to promote environmentally sustainable development. Towards this, the conference aims to bring academics, researchers, professionals, decision makers, and policy makers together for exchange of views and experiences on water and flood management. It will focus on an integrated approach to water and flood management to address issues like increasing water use efficiency, improving water resources system performance, reducing vulnerability and developing resiliency against water related hazards, preserving environmental quality, protecting ecosystems, coping with climate variability, promoting participatory management, and ensuring equity and social justice in decision-making processes. For more information, visit: http://teacher.buet.ac.bd/icwfm/index.htm.
2007 National Hurricane Conference—New Orleans, Louisiana: April 2-6
The primary goal of the National Hurricane Conference is to improve hurricane preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation in order to save lives and property in the United States and the tropical islands of the Caribbean and Pacific. In addition, the conference serves as a national forum for federal, state, and local officials to exchange ideas and recommend new policies to improve emergency management. For more information, visit: http://www.hurricanemeeting.com.
Partners in Emergency Preparedness—Tacoma, Washington: April 10–11
Organizer: Washington State University.
The Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference is the largest and most successful regional emergency preparedness conference in the Pacific Northwest. Partners in Emergency Preparedness annually hosts over 500 people representing business, schools, government, the nonprofit sector, emergency management professionals, and volunteer organizations. The Partners Conference attracts top-notch speakers with expertise that includes earthquake research, contingency planning, school preparedness, technology, news media, and public health. Speakers and exhibitors provide cutting-edge information on subjects such as business continuity planning, school safety, public health preparedness, homeland security, and public information. For more information, visit: http://capps.wsu.edu/conferences/emergencyprep/.
2nd Geospatial Integration for Public Safety—New Orleans, Louisiana: April 15–17
Organizers: The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA).
This conference is designed to bring together GIS professionals, addressing coordinators, and 9-1-1 and emergency response specialists for a networking and learning opportunity. For more information, visit: http://www.urisa.org/conferences/GIPSC/Info.
European Geosciences Union General Assembly—Vienna, Austria: April 15-20
Organizer: European Geosciences Union.
The EGU General Assembly will bring together geoscientists from all over Europe and the rest of the world into one meeting covering all disciplines of the earth, planetary and space sciences. Especially for young scientists, the EGU provides a forum to present work and discuss ideas with experts in all fields of geosciences. For more information, visit: http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2007/.
6th UCLA Conference on Public Health and Disasters—Torrance, California: May 6-9
Organizer: UCLA Center for Public Health and Disasters.
The public health consequences of natural and intentional disasters cut across many substantive areas. This unique multidisciplinary conference will bring together academics, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from public health, mental health, community disaster preparedness and response, social sciences, government, media, and non-governmental organizations. The conference goal is to provide an annual forum that continues to promote a dialogue and exchange of ideas between local health departments and others involved in improving emergency public health preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. For more information, visit http://www.cphd.ucla.edu.
12.) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
The City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management is advertising eight open positions:
-Senior GIS Analyst
-Logistics Coordinator
-Emergency Operations Center Coordinator
-Utility and Infrastructure Planning Coordinator
-Human Services Planning Coordinator
-Health Systems Planning Coordinator
-Transportation Engineer
-Training and Exercise Coordinator
Visit http://www.nemaweb.org/jobs/index.cfm for the job descriptions and for more information.
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New Mexico Urban Search and Rescue Program Manager
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The general purpose of the New Mexico Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Program Manager position is to ensure all requirements of the Federal (US&R) Grant are fulfilled. The NM US&R Task Force-1 team has approximately 100 members, and consists primarily of volunteers, who are highly trained in separate disciplines of search, rescue, and medical. The Program Manager is responsible for ensuring the team is capable to respond, when requested by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to major disasters anywhere in the U.S., when there is a need for heavy rescue in collapsed structures. The Program Manager is responsible for day-to-day oversight, providing a single point of contact to insure communications are received, obligations are met, actions taken, and fiscal and program reports are prepared and submitted between mission assignments. The position provides leadership and coordination for all activities of the team which include: specialized team training, record keeping, equipment purchasing, scheduling team activities, and personnel matters.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: A Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration.
EXPERIENCE: Six (6) years experience in program and/or project management of which three years supervisory experience is required for this position. Employment Requirements Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico drivers license, pre-employment background investigation is required, and some statewide and out-of-state travel is required.
SUPPLEMENTAL SKILLS/ABILITIES: The following items are agency preferences for this position: Federal grant management experience; government management experience; government financial experience; completion of the emergency management professional development series, and other emergency management training certification. Additionally, experience in adult education and project management is a preference, along with experience with the Microsoft family of office products.
For more information, contact Randy Scott at 505-476-9606 or randyd.scott@state.nm.us. Visit:
https://sharehcm.state.nm.us/psp/nmhp89/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/
HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL.
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Senior Emergency Services Coordinator
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
This is the advanced journey level of the series. Under general direction, incumbents perform the most complex, difficult, and sensitive emergency management, emergency response, mitigation, recovery, and planning work above the journey level; are independently responsible for a significant, specialized emergency management project; may serve as lead person, team leader, and/or project coordinator on the most difficult and complex emergency management projects; formulate program and policy direction and alternatives which are highly complex, and select and develop methodologies for their implementation; serve as technical program expert; consult and negotiate with local jurisdictions, state and federal agencies, organizations, and community groups regarding major program development issues or operations; mentor new staff and review technical work products of staff; analyze legislation having a statewide program impact and recommend legislative proposals, implementation, and strategic planning.
For the complete job description, visit: http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/JOBSGEN/6OE1302.PDF.
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Emergency Services Coordinator
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
This is the entry, working, and journey level of the series. Incumbents complete technical, analytical, and research assignments relevant to the planning, development, implementation, and coordination of emergency management operations and programs including performing a wide variety of tasks associated with the development and maintenance of emergency management systems. Incumbents may be responsible for and act as the liaison between the department and emergency management agencies, organizations, and groups on all program matters, including interpreting laws and department policy; assist in problem solving and program implementation; assist in development and implementation of program policies; plan and coordinate activities to develop emergency management plans and systems; and provide assistance, advice, and consultation to departmental staff, external entities, or individuals regarding the development and maintenance of emergency management programs and operations. Incumbents may act as a lead person or be assigned staff responsibilities in support of other technical or programmatic functions. For the complete job description, visit: http://jobs.spb.ca.gov/JOBSGEN/6OE1301.PDF.
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Assistant/Associate Professor – Emergency Management
Western Illinois University
APPOINTMENT: Tenure-track appointment beginning August 2007
QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. in Emergency/Disaster/Crisis Management or related field. Experience related to business (private or public) continuity, emergency preparedness operations, disaster preparedness, mitigation, community recovery, and training utilizing simulations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Applications are sought in all areas of Emergency Management. Preference will be given to candidates with prior university teaching experience. Candidates must demonstrate a record of successful teaching, research and scholarship, and or professional service activities to support an appointment to assistant/associate professor within the Department Health Sciences. Certification as a Certified Emergency Manager and/or Certified Business Continuity Professional preferred.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The successful applicant will teach undergraduate courses in emergency management. Candidates will assist in curriculum and program development including web-based coursework, participate in student recruitment, and engage in professional development activities. The candidate will serve on departmental, college, and university committees, as well as engage in appropriate research and scholarship activities.
RANK AND SALARY: Assistant/Associate Professor; Tenure track; Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Western Illinois University offers a competitive benefits package that includes domestic partner benefits. For full benefit information visit: http://www.wiu.edu/hr/index.shtml#benefits.
THE DEPARTMENT: The mission of the WIU Department of Health Sciences is to provide quality learning experiences; professional preparation for students; and to promote excellence in learning, application of technology, teaching, scholarship, and community service. Community health and health services management are the primary career options available. The department has 12 full time faculty as well as faculty on a part-time basis. Department information is available on our Web site at: http://www.wiu.edu/users/miheal.
THE UNIVERSITY: Recognized as one of the nation's “Best Value” institutions and one of the “Best in the Midwest Colleges” by the Princeton Review, as well as a Tier 1 Midwestern Masters Institution by US News and World Report, Western Illinois University (WIU) serves approximately 13,000 students in the heart of the Midwest through its traditional, residential four-year campus in Macomb, IL and its upper-division urban commuter location in the Quad Cities/Moline, IL. Western's friendly, accessible, nurturing campus communities are dedicated to higher values in higher education and are comprised of strong faculty, state-of-the-art technology and facilities and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students and staff. The four core values at the heart of WIU are academic excellence, educational opportunity, personal growth, and social responsibility. WIU's GradTrac and Cost Guarantee programs ensure that students can achieve their degrees within four years while paying a fixed rate for tuition, fees, plus room and board. WIU remains the only university in Illinois to guarantee the cost for tuition plus fees and room and board for students over a four year period at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
APPLICATION: Please send letter of application, transcripts, vita and or resume. Reply to: Jamie L. Johnson, Ph.D., CHES, ATC/L, Chair of Emergency Management Search Committee, Department of Health Sciences, Western Illinois University Circle; Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Review of applications will begin January 17, 2007, and will continue until the position is filled.
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Emergency Management Director
Osceola County, Florida
Advanced professional work and planning in all aspects of the four core emergency management areas of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Coordination, support, and administration of Emergency Management related activities at the County, State, and Federal levels.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Development, implementation, and monitoring of the Osceola County Emergency Management Plan, and all supporting annexes. Integration of requirements of, and ensuring consistency with, Federal and State Statutory Regulatory requirements and planning considerations. Provides technical and advisory assistance to governmental departments, boards, and agencies in disaster preparedness, continuity, and recovery planning. Serves as County liaison with County, State, and Federal agencies involved in disaster recovery and qualifications of disaster assistance. Coordinates, conducts, and participates in emergency preparedness conferences, meetings, workshops, and classes with local, regional, State, Federal, and private sector agencies. Develops information to support Federal and State grants, and assists with applications and submittal packages. Manages and administers Federal and State disaster/emergency preparedness grants. Development of local mitigation strategies, updating, and administration of the plan. Is well versed in the National Incident Management system, and has experience in managing the EOC under this system. Performs related work and other duties as assigned. Conducts Public Education Programs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Great organizational skills. Ability to present ideas and communicate effectively with team members, governmental, and County agencies, and the general public. Diplomatic skills very important. Knowledge of planning principles and practices related to disaster preparedness programs. Knowledge of Federal and State disaster assistance programs and processes to access resources. Ability to direct and participate in complex planning, and to analyze information and formulate recommendations and conclusions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Must be a team player.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's Degree and four (4) years of administrative or managerial experience in Emergency Management, with at least two (2) years of which were in a government Emergency Management Office. Experience in emergency preparedness exercises, disaster planning, disaster response and recovery. Certified Emergency Management credentials preferred. Must posses a valid Florida Driver's License.
Apply online at: http://www.osceola.org/index.cfm?lsFuses=JobApp/Jobs/Detail&sJobID=PS100314.
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Manager, Emergency Preparedness
Orlando Regional Healthcare System
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Provide strategic direction for Emergency Management programs within Orlando Regional Healthcare.
-Interface with local, regional and state agencies/organizations to improve safety and regional preparedness.
-Develop a system plan and incorporate regional responses to internal and external threats.
-Establish personal, credible relationships by interacting directly with a broad range of regulators, governmental representatives and elected officials.
-Work with leadership and administration annually to assess and improve plans.
-Provide written management reports to the governing bodies as necessary.
-Demonstrate working knowledge of JCAHO Environment of Care standards, OSHA regulations and Homeland Security guidelines. Coordinate training and education for Emergency Management programs within Orlando Regional Healthcare.
-Identify opportunities for increasing and enhancing employee, patient and medical staff training in regards to a safe environment and effective response.
-Develop and/or oversee system-wide solutions to providing timely and effective emergency preparedness and EOC education.
-Provide oversight and implementation system-wide of HEICS.
-Implement and monitor the system-wide decontamination program.
-Provide oversight to the hospitals in regional planning and coordinate external educational opportunities where appropriate. Coordinate internal and external exercises to improve safety and organizational, as well as community preparedness.
-Ensure all member hospitals meet JCAHO standards by providing oversight of internal and external exercises.
-Coordinate with community stakeholders to ensure local assets are incorporated into hospital plans and notification systems are updated. Active participation in internal and external committees to assist in developing system-wide and regional improvement opportunities.
-Implementation and maintenance of the AED program.
OTHER RELATED FUNCTIONS: Interacts with all ORHS departments including clinical, Support Services, Human Resources, Infection Control, Occupational Health, Quality Management, Protective Services and Risk Management. Manages budget as related to assigned regulatory compliance specialty area which may include permit fees, consultants, and other costs associated with compliance. Establishes priorities to insure efficiency and effectiveness. Develops standards of performance for staff. Assists Corporate Safety Director in all other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION/TRAINING: Bachelor's degree of Science in Safety, Industrial Hygiene, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, or closely related field required.
Licensure/Certification: Certification in Emergency Management is required or must obtain within one year of hire.
EXPERIENCE: Seven years of technical/management experience in emergency management, fire safety or safety in a clinical setting. Strong knowledge of hospital safety, emergency management, JCAHO Environment of Care, and homeland security guidelines (local, state, federal, and accreditation).
For complete information contact:
Linda Simons
Corporate Director Safety
Orlando Regional Healthcare System
phone: 321-841-8495
Linda.Simons@orhs.org
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