NIST Immediate Occupancy Building Performance Objective Report
After a disaster, it’s not enough that buildings don’t collapse, they need to have the ability to be used as normal— referred to as immediate occupancy—so that communities can return to a semblance of normal. This report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, entitled Research Needs to Support Immediate Occupancy Building Performance Objective Following Natural Hazard Events, offers a number of things that can be done to make immediate occupancy more likely—but also warns of challenges such as economic and social considerations.
Decision Support System for Water Infrastructural Security
Those tasked with keeping dams and levees structurally sound now have an easy-to-use new tool in their belts. The Decision Support System for Water Infrastructural Security, or DSS-WISE, simplifies modeling dam breaches and floods using a web-based interface with minimal data entry. The service is free, but registration is required. Those interested in more information can also attend a webinar on August 30.
Animals in Disaster
From pets to livestock, animals are both at risk in disaster and can also cause humans to put themselves at risk. This organization, part of World Animal Protection, recognizes the importance animals in a disaster context and offers a number of elements aligned with reducing their disaster risk. Among the group’s resources are materials that guide emergency plans, information for policy makers, and the PrepVet course which provides training to veterinarians and others about disaster risks, climate adaptation, and basic care of animals in emergencies.
Cascadia Earthquake Resilience Information
This website from the Oregon Health Authority contains a variety of resources to help limit the health impacts of an earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone—many of which apply to earthquake-prone areas in general. From guides on how hospitals should prepare for emergency power and water and deal with structural issues to simple advice on what to do to limit injury during a quake, there’s a wealth of information available for Pacific Northwest caregivers, and any one preparing for a quake.
2017 Hurricane Season After Action Report
There is clearly much to be learned from the 2017 hurricane season. This report, released last month is the Federal Emergency Management Agency effort to assess its preparedness, response, and recovery efforts in the face of an unprecedented number of complex disasters. The report looks and five focus areas—including staffing, long-term infrastructure outages, and housing operations—and makes recommendations on how to improve service and the steps to take to do so.