Conferences and Training
Below are the most recent conference announcements received by the Natural Hazards Center. A more comprehensive and regularly updated list of hazard/disaster meetings is posted on our web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/conf.html.
Wildland Fire 2004. Sponsors: International Association of Wildland Fire, U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Reno, Nevada: March 3-5, 2004. This conference will bring together fire service leaders from the local, state, and federal levels to address a critical problem facing fire departments all over the world: issues surrounding the wildland/urban interface. Registration information is available from the International Association of Wildland Fire c/o IAFC, 4025 Fair Ridge Drive, Fairfax, VA 22033; e-mail: wildlandfire2004@iafc.org; http://www.iafc.org/pdf/conf/WF04_confguide.pdf.
Spring World 2004. Sponsor: Disaster Recovery Journal (DRJ). Orlando, Florida: March 7-10, 2004. This business continuity conference includes pre- and post-conference courses to supplement its conference tracks, presentations, and networking opportunities on an array of topics including knowledge sharing, operational resiliency, terrorism reponse, lessons learned from past disasters, business re- covery plans, continuity issues, and more. For more information contact DRJ, P.O. Box 510110, St. Louis, MO 63151; http://www.drj.com.
43rd Emergency Management Conference. Sponsor: Texas Department of Emergency Management (DEM). Waco, Texas: March 7-10, 2004. This conference includes training, workshops, breakout meetings, and general sessions. For more information, contact Valerie Ehrhardt, DEM Public Information Office, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, TX 78773; (512) 424-2138; e-mail: valerie.ehrhardt@txdps.state.tx.us; http:// www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/conference_2004_index.htm.
Crisis Management in Europe: Problems and Perspectives. Sponsor: European Crisis Management Academy (ECMA). Bled, Slovenia: March 11-14, 2004. This conference is part of the NATO Partnership Work Program for 2004 and the Project on Disaster Management Training for Southeastern Europe. It will address crucial crisis management issues such as decision making, leadership and coordination, crisis communication and information management, psychological dimensions of crises, civil-military cooperation during a crisis, and the role of supra-national institutions in crisis management. For more information contact Erik Kopac; tel: +386 1 589 2357; e-mail: erik.kopac@uni-lj.si.
Three Days: Three Short Courses for Regulators and Radiation Health Specialists in Emerging Topics in Radiation Protection and Risk Assessment. Sponsor: Risk Assessment Corporation. Kiawah Island, South Carolina: March 16-18, 2004. These courses include information on risk assessment, recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, and suggestions of how to work with stakeholders on issues of risk assessment. Registration details and a course outline can be obtained by contacting Kristen Jacobucci, 417 Till Road, Neeses, SC 29107; (312) 372-1255; e-mail: kjacobucci@caps-ltd.com; http://www.racteam.com/Courses/2004Course.htm.
International Conference On Managing Seismic Risk In Developing Countries (MSRDC). Sponsor: Disaster Management Institute (DMI). Bhopal, India: March 17-19, 2004. MSRDC 2004 will provide a platform for technologists, administrators, and disaster management professionals to review and evaluate recent developments in earthquake disaster management in developing countries, with the goal of enhancing efforts to mitigate and combat such disasters. Conference topics include low-cost earthquake construction and retrofitting techniques, design and construction practices in developing countries, risk assessment and rehabilitation in developing counties, and seismic vulnerability and safety of building structures. Conference information is available from K.S Parmar, MSRDC 2004, DMI, Paryavaran Parisar, E-5, Arera Colony, Bhopal 462016 Madhya Pradesh, India; e-mail: msrdc2004@dmibpl.org or colaksparmar@hotmail.com; http://www.dmibpl.org/int-conf.htm.
The GeoTec Event: Pathways to Integration. Sponsor: GeoTech Media. Toronto, Canada: March 28-31, 2004. With a theme of "Navigating Pathways to Integration," this conference will explore the adoption of geotechnology into mainstream information technology. Of special interest to natural hazards researchers is the emphasis on providing a broad overview of geospatial technology applications. Event details are available from Matt Ball, GeoTec Media, 6666 Gunpark Drive, Suite 102, Boulder, CO 80301; (303) 544- 0594; e-mail: EventInfo@GEOTecEvent.com; http://www. geoplace.com/gt/callforpapers/default.asp.
The 2004 Homeland and Global Security Summit. Sponsor: Equity International. Washington, D.C.: March 31-April 1, 2004. Homeland security spending in the U.S. is projected to increase in coming years. This summit will provide the latest information on spending and programs, including sessions on funding and agency priorities, new grants for emergency management, public safety, disaster response, and more. Program and registration details are available from the Center for Homeland and Global Security, a div- ision of Equity International, Inc., 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20004; (202) 756-2244; http://www.globalsecurity.bz.
26th Annual National Hurricane Conference (NHC). Sponsor: Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association. Lake Buena Vista, Florida: April 5-9, 2004. The goal of this conference is to improve hurricane preparedness, recovery, and mitigation in order to save lives and property in the U.S. and the tropical islands of the Caribbean and Pacific. It is a national forum for federal, state, and local officials to exchange ideas and recommend policies to improve emergency management and includes a number of training sessions. Information is available from David Tait, NHC, 2952 Wellington Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32309; (850) 906-9224; e-mail: mail@hurricanemeeting.com; http://www. hurricanemeeting.com.
Symposium on Rural Crisis Intervention. Sponsor: Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Institute. Casper, Wyoming: April 21-24, 2004. The purpose of this national symposium is to advance understanding of crisis intervention in rural America. Participants will present research results in crisis intervention and discuss critical incident stress management and debriefing, disaster mental health services, and advances in service delivery. Abstracts are due January 30, 2004, and should be e-mailed to: conference@mail2 wyoming.com. Symposium information is available from George Doherty, Rocky Mountain Region Disaster Mental Health Institute, Box 786, Laramie, WY 82073.
Second International Conference on Post-Disaster Reconstruction: Planning for Reconstruction. Sponsor: Coventry University, Center for Disaster Management, and the University of Montreal, I-Rec team. Coventry, U.K.: April 22-23, 2004. This conference will provide a forum for practitioners and academics from around the world to present their research on vulnerability and risk mapping, coping mechanisms, disaster planning, interorganizational arrangements, needs assessment, damage evaluation, community participation, environmental monitoring in reconstruction, and other areas. For conference details, contact Andrew Fox, Planning for Reconstruction, School of Science and the Environment, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry CV1 5FB, U.K.; tel: 024 7688 7688; e-mail: a.fox@coventry.ac.uk; http://legacywww.coventry.ac.uk/legacy/se/research/i_rec_call.htm.
Colorado Mitigation and Wildfire Conference (CMWC). Colorado Springs, Colorado: April 23-25, 2004. This conference will focus on preparing for and managing fires in the wildland-urban interface. Firefighters, planners, policy makers, public groups, and private industry will develop ideas to help reduce the loss of life, property, and natural resources in these areas. Information is available from the CMWC, 100 Jefferson County Parkway, Suite 4550, Golden, CO 80419; (303) 271-8217; http://www.wildfirecolorado.org.
International Workshop on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM2004). Sponsor: Tilburg University. Brussels, Belgium: May 3-4, 2004. This workshop is designed for information systems researchers who are working in the areas of crisis planning, response, and management, along with emergency response personnel and national and international policy makers in emergency response. General information can be obtained from Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands, tel: +31 (0) 13 466 91 11; http://www.tilburguniversity.nl/iscram2004.
Basin and Range Province Seismic Hazards Summit II: Evaluating Approaches, Techniques, and Policies for Seismic Hazard Characterization in Extensional Regions. Sponsors: Western States Seismic Policy Council, U.S. Geological Survey, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Reno, Nevada: May 16-19, 2004. The basin and range province of North America is a land of contrasts and challenges for seismic hazard analysis and application. This meeting brings together 10 state geological surveys, the U.S. Geological Survey, university professors, and those working in science and engineering geology to discuss seismic hazard analysis. It will entail a sequence of summary talks given on specific topics relevant the basin and range province. Abstract titles are due by February 5, 2004. Titles, abstracts, and paper submissions can be sent to Terri Garside, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, 89557; e-mail: tgarside@unr.edu; http://www.unr.edu/content/.
14th World Conference on Disaster Management. Sponsor: Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness (CCEP). Toronto, Canada: June 20-23, 2004. This meeting will ad- dress issues common to all aspects of disasters and emergency management. For detailed information contact CCEP, 1005 Skyview Drive, Suite 323, Burlington, Ontario L7P 5B1, Canada; (905) 331 2552; http://www.wcdm.org.
Second Annual Conference: Risk Management (ETR2A). Sponsors: European Telecommunications Resilience and Recovery Association, Northeast Development Agency, and Northumbria University. Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.: June 24-25, 2004. This conference will bring together business, the public sector, and academia to address issues sur- rounding business, telecommunications, and public life in preparing for and responding to emergencies. Abstracts must be received by March 26, 2004, and should be sent electronically to info@etr2a.org or to the address below. Abstract guidelines and conference information are available from the ETR2A Conference Office, Benchmark Communi- cations, 63 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1SG, UK; tel: 0191 241 4523; http://www.etr2a.org/.
Smart Structures Technology and Earthquake Engineering. Sponsors: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, National Science Foundation, and Asia-Pacific Network of Earthquake Engineering Research. Osaka, Japan: July 6-9, 2004. Earthquake engineering has undergone a trans- formation from discipline-oriented investigations to net- work-based efforts that rely on cross-cutting solutions. This symposium is dedicated to facilitating that shift. Further information is available from Ma Hua, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; e-mail: mahua@arch.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp; http://www.nees.org/info/SE041119.pdf.
AWRA 2004 Spring Specialty Conference: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Water Resources III. Sponsor: American Water Resources Association (AWRA). Nashville, Tennessee: May 17-19, 2004. This conference will host both practical workshops and technical exchange on applications where GIS is making great advances. It will include keynote talks on major topics, followed by papers on specific applications. The format will allow participants plenty of opportunities to interact with researchers and practitioners in the GIS field and water resources man- agement. Conference details are available from Kenneth J. Lanfear, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA; (703) 648- 6852; e-mail: lanfear@usgs.gov; http://www.awra.org/meetings/Nashville2004/index.html.
The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS) Annual Conference. Melbourne, Australia: May 18-21, 2004. With the theme of "facing new challenges," participants will hear from international practitioners regarding the latest techniques, equipment, and theories in emergency management. Conference information may be obtained from Norm Free, Shire of Yarra Rangers, P.O. Box 105, Lilydale, Victoria, Australia; tel: +61 3 9294 6703; e-mail: n.free@yarraranges.vic.gov.au; http://www.tiems. org/.
International Snow Science Workshop 2004. Sponsors: American Avalanche Association, American Avalanche Institute, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, U.S. Forest Service, and Wyoming Department of Transportation. Jackson Hole, Wyoming: September 19-24, 2004. Snow scientists and avalanche professionals from many nations will come together at this meeting to present papers and exchange information. The meeting will continue the theme of past workshops of merging theory and practice. Registration information and workshop details are available from the International Snow Science Workshop, American Avalanche Institute, P.O. Box 308, Wilson, WY 83014; (307) 733- 3315; e-mail: Issw@aol.com; http://www.issw.net.
IBHS/ACSP Seek Papers on Planning and Natural Hazards
The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) are seeking papers to be presented at the ACSP conference October 21-24, 2004, in Portland, Oregon. The two organizations will grant one award recognizing scholarship in the field of planning and natural hazards.
Papers should cover land use or other types of planning that address natural hazards, such as flooding, coastal erosion, land subsidence, earthquakes, or other geologic or meteorological hazard risks that can be minmized through community, regional, or state planning. Undergraduate, graduate, and joint faculty/student papers are eligible.
Abstracts must be submitted directly to the ACSP conference organizers between January 5 and February 16, 2004, and submission procedures can be found at http://www.acsp.org. At the same time, copies of the abstracts should be sent by e-mail to the ACSP-IBHS committee chair (e-mail below) with a cover memo indicating intent to submit a paper for the ACSP-IBHS award. Authors whose abstracts are accepted for presentation at the conference are then eligible for the award. They should submit their final papers electronically to the ACSP-IBHS committee chair by May 25, 2004. Papers should not to exceed 20 pages and will be reviewed during the summer of 2004. The winner will be notified in September.
Send abstract submissions to Robert Paterson, Grad- uate Program in Community and Regional Planning, School of Architecture and Planning, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712-1160; e-mail: paterson@uts.cc.utexas.edu; http://www.acsp.org.
Table of Contents for This Issue of the Natural Hazards Observer
