START Risk Communication Guides for Emergency Managers
Emergency managers can now add risk communication to their skill set, thanks to these easy-to-follow guides issued by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). The guides are specifically written to assist emergency managers in understanding both theory and best practices of risk communication. With useful resources and a communication checklist, these guides will help you communicate effectively during all stages of disaster.
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline
Sometimes disaster survivors just need someone to talk to, but who'd think to ring up dear old Uncle Sam? Turns out the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration is sitting by the phone 24/7/365, just waiting to talk to people who are feeling anxious about or having trouble coping with disaster—counselors will even respond to text messages! Not only does the website offer downloadable brochures and wallet cards to help identify when someone's having trouble coping and how to contact the service, but it also has specific advice for a range of current disasters, including drought.
Planning Transportation for Pandemic Flu
Someday, there will be a Guide for Public Transportation Pandemic Planning and Response. Until then, there’s this website, which is chock-full of useful research and documents on pandemic planning in general (including an A-Z list of state pandemic plans), and transportation in particular. The site was developed as a way to frame the upcoming guide and engage stakeholders at the same time, so stop in and see what it has to offer—and what you can offer in return.
National Disaster Recovery Funds for Archives
When disasters strike, archives and special collections can be especially vulnerable. In order to make sure the nation’s irreplaceable records are recovered, the Society of American Archivists has created a special fund to help defray the costs of time, storage, and recovery of damaged materials. Grants of up to $2,000 are available to any institution that hosts archives or special collections.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Offshore Safety and Environmental Management Systems
This just-released report from the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies examines the safety and environmental management systems of offshore drillers and concludes that regulators can do little to promote a culture of safety—it must come from within the organization. On the other hand, the way in which regulators measure and enforce safety systems can insure oil industry players are motivated to encourage safe practices.