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Sebastian Heath discussed methodological issues involved in researching disaster loss estimation. Two types of losses faced in disaster (i.e., real and unaccounted) need to be operationally defined. Furthermore, analysis plans need to be specific when discussing quantitative and qualitative variables. For example, quantitative terms (e.g., vulnerability and hazard) are of a different nature than qualitative terms (e.g., risk, relative risk, susceptibility, exposure, and outcome). By operationalizing or quantifying exposure, risk, and outcome we can identify and reduce "real" losses. By using control and comparison groups we can make sure our services reach the affected/exposed individuals and not the non-exposed individuals. Good research design will help prevent squandering resources and will help in developing effective outreach programs by targeting interventions more effectively.
Michael Zakour stated that often it is the most vulnerable who have the least access to services relative to their disaster risk. Social support is important at all levels of disaster, from preparedness and evacuation to recovery. Vulnerable populations often live where social support is lower on the community level (e.g., worse infrastructure and response capacity, fewer volunteer organizations, and fewer programs for the poor). Vulnerable populations have fewer social ties, smaller social networks, and are often clustered in geographically marginal areas. Partnerships between federal and state organizations are important to these vulnerable populations. There is often a top-down sharing of resources and information. A leverage point for intervention is at the federal/local partnership level. There is a need to form partnerships and increase local capacity.
Rocky Lopes stated that disaster losses are caused by failure to implement simple safety standards. Many people do not know the correct action to take (e.g., drop/cover) or do not have a family disaster plan. The ways to reduce disaster losses are to provide realistic practical disaster safety advice, use and repeat consistent messages, deliver information through respected sources, use the media to which the audience pays attention, and conduct proactive outreach. Lopes repeated one of his messages more than once (i.e., it is very important to use and repeat consistent messages). These ideas are clear ways to reduce disaster losses, and they provide suggestions on how to intervene at the family level.
Steve Stolz said that vulnerable populations are both rich and poor. He asked, "Why are the lower socio-economic status (SES) populations located in bad areas?" His answer was that for these individuals developers often buy cheap land, build the homes, and then quickly move on. Although the rich can live anywhere they want, they often put themselves at risk because they want to live in a hazardous area (like the canyon) where it is nice and quiet. Stolz says there is a need to develop coalitions to define and examine vulnerability. Then vulnerable populations should be approached with clear definitions and goals for mitigation. He also called for establishing better communications, building partnerships, educating more of the population, and delivering consistent messages. In addition, the emergency manager needs to "globally" view the vulnerable and at-risk populations by recognizing demographic differences, and not simply respond to the disaster event. Disaster strikes everyone and everyone is vulnerable in their own way.
During the discussion, audience members asked more than once for a definition of vulnerability. One person commented that if each person in the room replied, there would be as many answers as people. Another question was, "Who are the most vulnerable people and how do we get to them?" One answer was to involve the community, use key informants, develop outreach programs, and conduct pre-disaster identification. Another question was, "How do we work with the politics involved when dealing with vulnerable populations?" It was suggested that these important topics need their own sessions in order to give them the detailed attention they deserve. In sum, to deal with factors that influence disaster losses there is a need for good research and interventions, social support and networking on the communal level, clear messages, partnership development, and an encompassing definition of vulnerability.
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