1) Natural Hazards Center Welcomes Two New Research Assistants
This fall, the Natural Hazards Center welcomed two new research assistants:
Brandi Gilbert is a PhD student in the department of sociology at the University of Colorado. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in Spanish studies. She is currently working on the Bay Area Disaster Preparedness Initiative project at the Natural Hazards Center. Her research interests are the role of educational, community, and religious organizations in disaster preparedness and recovery initiatives.
Alexandra (Ali) Jordan is also a graduate student in the department of sociology's PhD program. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science, with an emphasis on terrorism and genocide, at the University of Southern California. Before coming to the University of Colorado, Ali worked for the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms Office of Security and Emergency Preparedness as a government contractor. She is currently working on the Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Response to Terrorism (START) project at the Natural Hazards Center. She is also interested in perceptions of risk, community resilience, terrorism, and using GIS as a tool for analysis in disaster research.
2) 2008 Quick Response Research Program: Call for Proposals
Each September, the Natural Hazards Center solicits proposals for the next round of Quick Response (QR) grants. These small grants are intended to enable social and behavioral science researchers from the United States to conduct short-term studies immediately following a disaster. Grants average between $1,000 and $3,500 and are intended to cover food, travel, and lodging expenses.
If, during the course of the next year, a disaster matching an applicant’s preapproved proposal occurs, the grant can be activated and the researcher is able to immediately travel to the site. Grantees are required to submit a report of their findings to be shared with the hazards community. Reports are published by the Natural Hazards Center and are available free online.
Proposals for natural, technological, and human-induced events are considered for funding. Physical science- and engineering-based proposals are not eligible. To learn more about the program and to find out how to apply, visit www.colorado.edu/hazards/research/qr/, or request a program announcement from Corey Reynolds at (303) 492-4180 or corey.reynolds@colorado.edu. The deadline for proposal submission is October 26, 2007. Only complete proposals that meet all of the criteria outlined in the 2008 announcement will be considered.
3) Natural Hazards Center Announces New Online Publication
The Natural Hazards Center is proud to announce the availability of Research Digest, a quarterly online compilation of recent research related to hazards and disasters. It provides the complete references and abstracts (when available) for current research in the field. The aim of Research Digest is to advance and communicate knowledge on hazard mitigation and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery within an all-hazards, interdisciplinary framework.
The first issue includes more than 125 articles cataloged between April and mid-August. Additional issues will follow in December and March. The issues are compiled and edited by library and research staff and include more than 35 peer-reviewed publications. Check out the first issue online at www.colorado.edu/hazards/rd.
4) 2007 Workshop Materials Available Online
Each summer, hazards researchers and professionals from federal, state, and local government, nonprofit organizations, and private industry convene in Boulder, Colorado, for the Natural Hazards Center’s Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop. Participants debate, explore, and share information on a wide range of issues. This year’s workshop included discussion of the legacy of Gilbert F. White, social vulnerability, the National Flood Insurance Plan evaluation, pets in disasters, and much more.
Brief session summaries, abstracts of research and projects presented, and some photographs of the event are now available online at www.colorado.edu/hazards/workshop/2007/.
5) Call for Session Ideas: 2008 Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop
The Natural Hazards Center invites proposals for session topics for the 2008 Annual Hazards Research and Applications Workshop. Proposed session topics will provide guidance to the Center as it plans and prepares next year’s program. Session ideas may be modified, combined, or otherwise altered by the Center, and submission of a topic does not guarantee inclusion in the program.
The annual workshop is designed to bring members of the research and applications communities together for face-to-face networking and discussion of cutting-edge issues related to hazards and disasters and society’s efforts to deal with them. It provides a dynamic, provocative, and challenging forum for the diverse opinions and perspectives of the hazards community.
To submit a session idea, go to www.colorado.edu/hazards/workshop/current.html. Session topics must be submitted by November 2, 2007, to be considered.
6) National Response Framework Released: Comments Sought
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released the draft National Response Framework (NRF), the successor to the National Response Plan, for a 30-day public comment period, which ends October 10.
View the draft National Response Framework here, www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/.
The Framework, which focuses on response and short-term recovery, articulates the doctrine, principles, and architecture by which our nation prepares for and responds to all-hazard disasters across all levels of government and all sectors of communities. The Framework is responsive to repeated federal, state and local requests for a streamlined document that is shorter, less bureaucratic and more user-friendly.
The Framework incorporates a number of key recommendations from more than 700 individuals who participated in a review process that began in September 2006 and represent federal, tribal, state and local governments, non-governmental agencies and associations, and the private sector. In addition to the core Framework, supporting documents, including Emergency Support Functions, Support and Incident Annexes, and other appendices, have also been updated, expanded, and remain an integral part of the Framework.
The 30-day comment period provides interested parties with the opportunity to provide feedback on the document. During this period, the existing National Response Plan remains in effect.
7) Call for Papers: 2008 Meeting of the Midwest Sociological Society
Organizers call for papers for a session entitled "Bridging Communities: Hazards, Disasters, and the Public" to be held at the Midwest Sociological Society Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, March 27-30, 2008. Preference will be given to papers that address how researchers are communicating their findings to the public through policy, planning or additional means. Additionally, papers that examine any topic concerning the preparedness for, response to, or recovery from natural, technological, or human-initiated hazards and disasters will be considered. Both United States and international cross-cultural research are welcome.
All interested persons should submit inquiries, detailed abstracts, or papers directly to the session co-organizers, Christine Bevc (christine.bevc@colorado.edu) and Bill Lovekamp (welovekamp@eiu.edu). Submissions must be received by October 31, 2007. Additional information about sessions and the annual meeting is available from the Midwest Sociological Society web site: http://www.themss.org/. All monetary costs of participating in this annual meeting are the sole responsibility of the individual presenters.
8) Call for Papers: Humanity & Society Special Issue
Humanity & Society invites submissions for a special issue dedicated to the study of the aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina-related evacuation for both evacuees and service providers both in New Orleans and in the cities where many evacuees have remained.
The disaster and the resulting dislocation of hundreds of thousands of United States citizens illuminate the weaknesses of an increasingly decentralized and complex "safety net" for people in poverty. It is an important context in which to examine: 1) the ways in which our attitudes toward those in poverty and the expression of those attitudes in public policy affect the lives of those in need and 2) the service workers in an increasingly complex array of agencies and organizations who deliver services.
This special issue, titled "Civil Society and the State: Katrina Evacuees and Services," will explore the ways in which Katrina evacuees interacted with service agencies, both public and non-governmental, and the nature and outcome of their experiences. It will also explore the experiences of service providers in a range of agencies as they wrestled with the multiple needs of Katrina evacuees and the demands of the organizational environment within which they worked. Papers are invited that thoughtfully examine the experiences of Katrina evacuees and the service providers working with them and also the implications of their experiences for understanding the ramifications of U.S. poverty and disaster policy. Topics include but not limited to:
- The process by which Katrina evacuees did and did not receive help at various points both at the time of the storm and after their evacuation
- Governmental and non-governmental policies and the ramifications for a major disaster
- Local responses to both short-term and long-term needs of evacuees
- The ways in which gender, race, and class interacted with evacuation and resettlement experiences and with residence in host communities
- The experiences of evacuees with public agencies including schools, health departments, and the criminal justice system
- The ways in which the Katrina experiences compare with other disasters, both domestic and international
Manuscripts should not exceed 30 double-spaced pages of text, plus notes and references, and should follow the "Notice to Contributors" guidelines supplied at www.humanistsociology.org.
Papers should be submitted via email to Ann Goetting, the executive editor, at humanityandsociety@wku.edu (Identify submissions with the keyword Katrina.)
Address queries to Laura Lein at lein@mail.utexas.edu
Deadline for submission is January 2, 2008.
9) New Survey for Disaster Response during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
Robert Redding, a graduate student in the International Development Program at the University of Southern Mississippi, is conducting research on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as part of disaster response during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. If you participated in the response to this disaster, you are invited to participate in a Web-based survey that is anticipated to be available in September and October 2007. In this survey, several hundred disaster responders will be asked to complete a survey that asks questions about how they used GIS to respond to the Asian tsunami disaster in 2004. It will take approximately 20 minutes to complete the questionnaire. The results will be provided to those who are interested.
Your participation in this study is completely voluntary. Your survey responses will be strictly confidential and data from this research will be reported only in the aggregate. Your information will be coded and will remain confidential.
If you are interested in participating in the survey, please send an e-mail to Tsunami.Survey@gmail.com.
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 www.colorado.edu/hazards/resources/.]
Emergency Preparedness for Business
This site, from the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, provides numerous resources that are helpful in developing a comprehensive plan for dealing with terrorism-related events. These plans should include specific instructions to building occupants, actions to be taken by facility management, and first responder notification procedures.
Health Center Emergency Management Program Expectations
This document provides guidance and emergency management expectations for health centers to assist them in planning and preparing for future emergencies. Examples are given so health centers can develop and maintain an effective and appropriate emergency management strategy-- including developing and implementing an emergency management plan, building existing and growing new relationships, enhancing effective and efficient communications, and ensuring that the health center can effectively operate after an emergency.
Public Health Information Rapid Exchange (PHIRE)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a system to send important health information in real-time to subscribers, including alerts about any evidence of suspected pandemic influenza in the United States. The CDC Public Health Information Rapid Exchange (PHIRE) will disseminate important and timely information concerning actual or potential public health emergencies.
Evaluating Progress of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program: Methods and Preliminary Results
The U.S. Climate Change Science Program has made good progress in documenting and understanding changes that are occurring on a global scale, but less progress has been made in the study of regional impacts, human vulnerabilities, and mitigation and adaptation options, according to this new National Research Council report.
U.S. Geological Survey CoreCast Channel
In September, the U.S. Geological Survey released its first podcast, titled "Hurricanes and Extreme Storms - Coastal Hazards, Assessments, and Changes." Since, the USGS has posted has posted four more podcasts, addressing climate change, earthquakes, and more.
Congressional Research Service, FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer
This Congressional Research Service report to Congress addresses the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, which authorizes the president to issue "major disaster" or "emergency" declarations before or after catastrophes occur. The report explains in depth the process by which disaster declarations are made.
Gateway to the United Nations System's Work on Climate Change
This United Nations (UN) site provides access to climate change information from various agencies of the UN. The Web site features the most recent scientific reports from the UN, the latest developments on efforts to reach a new international climate change agreement, climate change events, news, Webcasts, projects in the field, and climate change information for youth.
11) 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 www.colorado.edu/hazards/resources/conferences.html.]
International Symposium on Mitigation & Adaptation of Climate-induced Natural Disasters—Hue, Vietnam: September 20-21, 2007. The main objectives of this symposium are to exchange information, ideas, and knowledge related to mitigation of natural disasters; to evaluate the likelihood of climate-change-induced natural disasters; to discuss countermeasures and adaptation methodologies; to discuss research results and comparative studies between Vietnam and Japan; and to explore a methodology for collaboration of citizens, planners, engineers, and researchers. This year’s topics include mechanisms and processes of natural disaster; remediation, rehabilitation, and aftercare of damaged sites; and mitigation and adaptation strategies against increasing natural disasters in local areas. For more information, see www.hus.edu.vn/HTKH_DC/index.htm.
Greenhouse 2007—Sydney, Australia: October 2-5, 2007. This high-profile, prestigious international event is designed for representatives from industry, research organizations, government, and the community. Greenhouse 2007 follows the highly successful Greenhouse 2005: Action on Climate Change, which was held in Melbourne in November 2005. Greenhouse 2007 will present an opportunity for scientists and representatives from industry and all levels of government to learn about the latest findings in climate science and discuss the implications for Australia and the region. The conference will particularly focus on projections for the future, the use of probabilities for risk management, the impact of climate change on human activity, and changing perceptions of climate change. Visit www.greenhouse2007.com.
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Annual Conference—Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: October 7-10, 2007. This year’s conference program will address the issues, trends, and challenges facing local government managers worldwide. Public and private sector experts will share their knowledge and interact with participants in educational sessions organized around the following themes: 360-degree leadership, civic engagement, managing health care costs, performance management, and enhancing personal skills and interests. In addition, special “career tracks” of targeted educational sessions will focus on issues of interest to small community managers and emerging leaders. More information is available at http://icma.org.
CoastGIS ‘07—Santander, Spain: October 8-10, 2007. This is the eighth in a series of CoastGIS conferences, which began in 1995. The main objective of this conference is to create a meeting place in which the most relevant issues and the newest breakthroughs in GIS applications for coastal and marine environments will be tackled by internationally renowned experts. Over 200 professionals from the GIS and/or coastal management fields are expected to attend, representing a wide range of academic, governmental, and commercial interests. See www.coastgis07.com.
Disasters Roundtable Workshop: Recovering from Disaster—October 17, 2007: Washington, DC. Disaster recovery is a complex and challenging process that involves all sectors of a community as well as outside interests. In many cases, it is not even clear if and when recovery has been achieved because of varying stakeholder goals for the community, for example with some wanting it returned to what is considered its pre-disaster status and others wanting it to undergo change to realize a vision in which advances are made in risk reduction and other areas. This workshop will consider what has been learned about disaster recovery from both scientific research and the experience of policy makers and practitioners. Historical and recent recovery actions following such events as the September 11th terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina will be discussed, along with examples of both pre and post-disaster recovery planning. This workshop will be held at the National Academies, 500 Fifth Street, NW, Room 100.
Geological Society of America (GSA) Annual Meeting: Earth Sciences for Society—Denver, Colorado: October 28-31, 2007. This annual meeting brings together scientists, educators, and policymakers from around the world to work to improve the understanding and application of science in society. This year’s meeting will be tied to the themes of the International Year of Planet Earth (2008), a United Nations proclamation whose goal is to develop and advance Earth sciences initiatives with the aim of helping future generations realize a safer and more prosperous world. Visit www.geosociety.org/meetings/2007/.
Corporate Security, Business Continuity and Crisis Management Conference— New York, New York: October 30- October 31, 2007. Organizer: The Conference Board. Attendees at the sixth annual conference will join senior executives from some of the world's leading companies, renowned policy experts, and government officials to examine and evaluate cutting-edge solutions from strategic, operational, and tactical perspectives. Topics include terrorism, catastrophic disasters, and the New Business Resiliency Imperative; the anatomy of risk; an all-hazards approach to global security; pandemics; and disaster, emergency, and business continuity. See www.conference-board.org/pdf_free/agendas/922008.pdf.
12) Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
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Assistant Professor of Environmental Geography and Political Economy
Syracuse University; Syracuse, New York
The Department of Geography at Syracuse University seeks to hire an environmental geographer at the Assistant Professor rank. This is a tenure track appointment. PhD required at time of appointment.
We are particularly interested in individuals with research and teaching interests in the political economy of nature, critical resource geography, or political ecology. The area of specialization is open, but the Department hopes to hire a scholar who will make theoretical and methodological contributions to the analysis of the intersections between environmental geography and political economy.
The successful candidate will be expected to complement and deepen the Department’s existing strengths in both these areas. Syracuse University and the Department of Geography are committed to inter- disciplinary environmental research, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to coordinate with a number of units on campus with environmental foci. These include the State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry, which adjoins the SU campus, and the Center for Environmental Policy and Administration (CEPA) in Syracuse’s Maxwell School. The Department strongly values excellence in teaching, and the successful candidate will be expected to teach both undergraduate and graduate courses. Faculty members normally teach two courses per semester.
Applications should be sent to Environmental Geography Search, Department of Geography, 144 Eggers Hall, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York 13244-1020.Applications must be postmarked by October 10, 2007. Letters of application should detail the applicant’s research program and teaching interests, and should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae, teaching statement, and writing samples. Three letters of reference should also be arranged and mailed separately. The successful candidate must have a PhD at time of appointment. Inquiries may be directed to Professor Tod Rutherford, Search Committee Chair, 315-443-3533; trutherf@maxwell.syr.edu
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Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Eckerd College; St. Petersburg, Florida
Ideal candidate will have an environmentally related degree, be an excellent teacher and active researcher. Teach seven courses per academic year, including introduction to environmental studies, sophomore level coastal management, applied statistics, and other coastal-related classes in candidate's area of expertise, to help shape potential new minor in coastal management. Participation in an interdisciplinary, values- oriented general education program is required, including regular rotation in the two-semester freshman program. Eckerd College, the only independent national liberal arts college in Florida, has a tradition of innovative education and teaching/mentoring excellence and is located directly on the Gulf of Mexico. Send letter of application, vita, teaching evaluations, statement of teaching philosophy, graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and three letters of recommendation by October 19, 2007 to Dr. Alison Ormsby, Eckerd College (BES), 4200 54th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711.
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Assistant Professor of Earth System Science
Lehigh University; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences has a tenure- track opening at the Assistant Professor level for an Earth System Scientist who conducts research in the near-surface environment where biological, geological, hydrological, atmospheric and human processes interact. We seek an individual doing innovative research, ideally with observations and modeling directed toward understanding the processes that control the behavior of the global environment and its response to natural and anthropogenic forcing at geologic to modern time scales. Fields of interest include, but are not limited to biogeochemistry, climatology, oceanography, glaciology, geobiology, and ecosystem ecology.
We expect the successful candidate to develop a vigorous externally funded research program, teach a course in their field of expertise, contribute to our undergraduate and graduate curricula, and mentor Ph.D., M.S., and undergraduate students. This position is one of several new hires in Earth and Environmental Sciences, engineering, and the social sciences expected to participate in a university wide, multidisciplinary initiative focusing on the environment.
To receive full consideration, applicants should submit by November 15th a letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of research and teaching interests, up to 3 reprints, and the names of three referees to Prof Dork Sahagian, Search Committee Chair, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 31 Williams Drive, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015.
For further information about the EES Department, see: http://www.ees.lehigh.edu/.
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Emergency Management Online Faculty/Lecturer
Western Washington University; Bellingham, Washington
WWU's Professional Studies through Extended Education and Summer Programs is seeking 2 part-time, temporary faculty positions to teach in the online Emergency Management Certificate Program. One Position requires a background in the history, scope, and range of emergency management. The other position requires knowledge of the law and policy related to emergency management.
Position Responsibilities: Teach online Emergency Management Certificate course via Blackboard delivery system per course requirements.
Required Qualifications:
-Candidates must have experience teaching online courses and/or be willing to undergo extensive training.
-Be able to dedicate 10-15 hours per week to the students' individual needs while teaching the course per course requirements.
-Have expertise in the history, scope, range and function of Emergency Management and Law and Policy.
-Master's degree and/or experience in Emergency Management training.
Preferred Qualifications:
-Experience with Blackboard.
About the Department: Extended Education & Summer Programs (EESP) is WWU's department for self-sustaining programs, with three academic units including Professional Studies & Independent Learning, Degree Programs and Summer Programs. Current offerings serve 1800 students with approximately 300 temporary and part-time faculty supporting these programs, not including summer quarter. Find out more about EESP at http://www.acadweb.wwu.edu/eesp/default.shtml
Application Instructions and Requested Documents: Applicants should email a letter of interest, curriculum vita, transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) and contact information of three references to Ariel.Cleasby-Heaven@wwu.edu or mail to:
Western Washington University
Extended Education and Summer Programs
516 High St., MS 5293
Bellingham , WA 98225
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Project Manager
Association of State Floodplain Managers; Madison, Wisconsin
The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) seeks a project manager for flood policy analysis, research and technical support activities. ASFPM is an organization that supports science based policy. ASFPM projects involve flood data analysis, flood risk mapping, and web data sharing to improve understanding of flood risk. This position would manage technical projects and provide technical support to the association. View the full job posting at: http://www.floods.org/files/ASFPM_Project_Mgr_Announcement_0907.pdf
The application closing date is Wednesday, October 10, 2007.
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Conference and Special Events Planner
Association of State Floodplain Managers; Madison, Wisconsin
View the full job posting at: http://www.floods.org/files/ASFPM_Conf_Spec_Events_Planner_Announcement_0907.pdf
The application closing date is Wednesday, October 10, 2007.
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Project Manager and Senior Emergency Management Specialist
Computer Sciences Corporation; Alexandria, Virginia
CSC’s Water Programs Practice, with a 25-year history of supporting EPA’s water and wastewater programs, is seeking a Emergency Management Project Manager to support a wide scope of water security-related activities under a new, 5-year, comprehensive mission contract with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Water Security Division. The division was established to address water security and infrastructure protection issues in the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Job Description:
-Direct multidisciplinary staff of engineers, scientists, public health specialists, information technology, and consequence management/emergency response experts in support of EPA Water Security Division projects. Responsible for scheduling, budgeting and overall project management.
-Provide subject-matter expertise on emergency management planning; training; exercise development and execution; policy and procedure development; and Federal/state/local coordination including mutual aid agreements to support initiatives to help advance water security.
-Conduct various analyses and assessments including risk and hazard assessments, capability assessments, after action or lessons learned assessments, disaster assessments, or response assessments.
Experience, Education, and Skill Preferences:
-Masters degree or equivalent, preferably in emergency management, or closely associated or related field (such as management, security, etc.) or an engineering or science discipline
-Three to eight years project management experience in emergency management including emergency/consequence management planning; training; exercise development and implementation; policy and procedures development and implementation; and state/local/federal coordination
-Training and education in emergency management beyond the initial FEMA training courses
-Strong organizational, project management, and communication skills required
-Strong technical writing skills and fluency in MS Office required
-Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance required
Contact:
Matthew Hayduk, mhayduk@csc.com
Fax: 703-461-2020
If you or your organization would like to add a job posting here in the DR, please feel free to e-mail the information to hazctr@colorado.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.