Showing papers in "Disaster Prevention and Management in 2000"

Disaster response: risk, vulnerability and resilience

Abstract: The assumption of an automatic link between disaster exposure and pathological outcomes is increasingly being questioned. Recognition of the possibility of positive reactions and growth outcomes in this context necessitates the development of alternative models and, in particular, the accommodation of the resilience construct in research and intervention agenda. Reviews possible vulnerability and resilience factors and adopts a risk management framework to outline its potential for modelling the complex relationships between these variables and both growth and distress outcomes. Resilience and vulnerability is discussed at dispositional, cognitive and organisational levels. The paradigm developed here focuses attention on facilitating recovery and growth in professionals for whom disaster work and its consequences is an occupational reality.

Scenario methodology for teaching principles of emergency management

Abstract: Scenarios are discussed in terms of their various uses in emergency planning and management. Their function in teaching programs is assessed with respect to various sorts of curricula for training emergency personnel. The format of scenarios is discussed and the potential for using the methodology creatively is explored. It is concluded that scenario methods are useful in developing such skills as time management, cognitive mapping, mediation, team management, and decision making under stress. A brief example of an emergency training scenario is presented and evaluated in terms of its teaching potential. Finally, scenarios are assessed in relation to other forms of modelling and simulation, such as table‐top games and field exercises, which are commonly used for training emergency managers.

Emergency fund‐raising for disaster relief

Abstract: Two hundred members of the public were interviewed in high street and railway station locations in central London to ascertain the considerations that encourage them to donate generously to a disaster relief fund‐raising appeal. It emerged that the major fund‐raising triggers involved media representations of the indigency of aid recipients, portrayals of people helping themselves, and highly emotive advertising imagery. Although they were potentially patronising and demeaning to disaster victims, such depictions seemingly exerted powerful influences on donation decisions. Factors discouraging donations included media reports of unfair aid distributions, warfare or internal insurrection, and inefficiency in the relief operation. Combined fund‐raising efforts covering several organisations were viewed more favourably than individual charity initiatives. State endorsements of particular campaigns exerted little influence. Some but not all of the variables known to determine levels of donations to charity in...

Managing societal uncertainty in volcanic hazards: a multidisciplinary approach

Abstract: This paper summarizes research involving a multidisciplinary team of volcanologists and social scientists. It describes collaboration in relation to social and physical risk and vulnerability following the Mount Ruapehu eruptions of 1995‐1996. This work stresses a key role for such multidisciplinary teams in reducing the social impact of volcanic hazards through assisting communities, organizations, and individuals following an eruption and, importantly, during quiescent periods. We present an overview of a multidisciplinary approach and related research. In stressing the role of the physical science community in managing societal hazards and risk, the paper addresses how this role can be enhanced through collaboration with social scientists and others. The emphasis here is the facilitation of volcanological knowledge and expertise in threat communication, mitigation, community development, emergency planning, and response management. Our research has examined mechanisms for integration, multi‐disciplinary training, and preparing volcanologists for the social demands encountered in playing an active crisis management role. One area of overlap that can tie together disciplines and assist the public is the idea that volcanic activity and the related uncertainties are, at their essence, simply problems that with increasingly integrated efforts likewise have increasingly attainable solutions.

Understanding and managing the dynamics of linked crisis events

Abstract: Presents a macro analysis of the dynamics of temporally linked crisis events and the non‐linear effects resulting from the linkage. The nature of crisis is explored as a singular conceptual construct, and four forms of linkage between crises are assessed. Specific emphasis is placed on how such linkages amplify the total damage upon society and lengthen the duration of the cumulative recovery effort. Based on the assessment, new points of strategic planning focus are identified to drive continued empirical research and to support the development of future operational plans in crisis response.

Emergency response preparedness: small group training. Part I – training and learning styles

Abstract: This is Part 1 of a multi‐part paper and examines small group training for those charged with responding in an emergency situation. To ensure both effective and efficient training it is important to understand that people learn in different ways. Their learning styles have to be taken into account for both the design and the implementation of the learning experiences. Discusses different learning styles and tools available.

Managing technology risks in the healthcare sector: disaster recovery and business continuity planning

Abstract: The relentless onslaught of computers and communications technologies has recently descended on the healthcare industry. Fortunately, however, the utilization of technologies in healthcare delivery and administration could not be timelier because of the need to control escalating health costs. While the proliferation of information and communication technologies in healthcare, referred to as health management information systems (HMIS), is certainly long overdue in healthcare organizations (HCOs), it is important to recognize and be prepared for the vulnerabilities of these technologies to natural, technological, and man‐made disasters. This paper describes how HCOs have justifiably become dependent on HMIS and how these organizations may proactively plan for disasters which can impact on HMIS. A phased approach, referred to as the disaster recovery and business continuity (DRBC) planning model, is presented in the paper as an approach to develop and implement business continuity plans in HCOs.

Whistleblowing towards disaster prevention and management

Abstract: Disaster inquiries regularly contain a sad litany of what went wrong, procedures bypassed and ignored, and undue risks taken. It is clear in many of these cases that there were individuals in the know, who may have spoken up, but been over‐ruled or silenced. Some more persistent individuals decide to speak up external to the organisation, and hence become whistleblowers. Their efforts, although virtually by definition in the public interest, have not always been well received, certainly by their employers, and the agencies to whom they resorted, while pleased to have received their information, have invariably not reciprocated by offering employment protection, or even upholding confidentiality. Disaster case studies are presented involving a variety of industries from the nuclear power to the petroleum, aircraft, space and oil industries. The stresses on the whistleblower are indicated, one being the controversy remaining over their role, with opposition from some business leaders. The law offers first line protection, although experience in the USA suggests that this is insufficient in itself. In the more unified and compact jurisdiction of the UK, new legislation, coupled with political will, seems likely to produce a more effective regime. Organisations need to internalise whistleblowing as part of their natural systems and procedures, and codes of practice assist in this regard, as long as they are more than window‐dressing. Countries less advanced in their thinking and legislation are more at risk and, given the global consequences of the likes of an environmental disaster, need to be regarded as international pariahs.

Emergency response preparedness: small group training. Part 2 – training methods compared with learning styles

Abstract: Continues from Part 1 and investigates how the learning styles and training methods for individuals and groups can be matched to maximise the efficiency of the training programme. In a similar manner to identifying personal learning styles, training methods can be classified by their efficiency with the different learning‐style groups. The training methods are divided into large and small group activities together with individual training processes. The learning styles of participants are then matched to the training styles.

Mitigation and response planning in a bio‐terrorist attack

Abstract: With the emergence of biological weapons of mass destruction as potential tools of terrorism, Presidential Decision Directive 39 initiated US plans to enhance mitigation and response activity. Anecdotal information suggests many of the likely behavioral and organizational response challenges are not being addressed. The current paper applies the disaster research literature to identify the likely behavioral and organizational response challenges a community or nation would encounter in a bio‐terrorist attack on a metropolitan area. Mitigation and response planning, it is argued, would be enhanced if these likely challenges were actually taken into account.

Measuring the seismic vulnerability of strategic public facilities: response of the health‐care system

Abstract: Strategic public buildings must be made as efficient as possible to allow for emergency operations, like search and rescue activities, taking care of victims, and evacuation. Looks at strategic public buildings as part of urban and regional systems. Addresses factors such as physical vulnerability to a seismic event, location, accessibility, interaction with the soil, links with other public facilities, and the way the latter are used under normal conditions. Considers whether public facilities can continue providing their service under stressful conditions, even when a certain degree of physical damage has been suffered by structures or by medical equipment. The health‐care system has been chosen as a key test field: the result is a framework which helps assess the vulnerability of hospitals serving an area prone to seismic risk.

Transnational forest fire fighting: the Malaysian experience

Abstract: The forest fire experiences of Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand in 1997 are reviewed The problems of transnational co‐operation in such cases are examined and the resulting joint lessons are presented

Knowledge and ethical responsibility in industrial disasters

Abstract: The complexity of surprise industrial disasters, the high probability of their occurrence, their protracted effects, and the risks they impose on humanity make empirical research and international exchanges of information essential. Industrial disasters also give rise to significant ethical uncertainty which requires emergency managers, industrial leaders, and political decision makers to reformulate the manner in which expert knowledge is developed and applied to the tasks of risk reduction and public safety. In assessing the challenges posed by surprise or unexpected industrial disasters, it is the purpose of this essay to heighten awareness of the ethical dimensions of all knowledge in this field. Additionally, the concept of prohibited risk is suggested as a crucial normative variable to be analyzed in the application of this knowledge to the essential tasks of emergency management in relation to industrial disasters.

Analysis of safety‐critical software elements in offshore safety studies

Abstract: “The offshore installations and wells (design and construction, etc.) regulations” (DCR) requires that all safety‐critical elements in both the system and software domains be assessed and evaluated. In this paper, following a brief review of offshore system (application) safety analysis, offshore software safety analysis is introduced. It is followed by a study of combining offshore system safety analysis with software safety analysis. The typical standards for the development of safety‐critical systems in several industrial sectors are discussed with particular reference to formal methods. A generic offshore software safety analysis framework is proposed with discussions. Formal methods for producing safety requirements specifications are then discussed. A case study is used to demonstrate safety requirements modelling for safety‐critical software development. Finally recommendations for further development in offshore software safety analysis are given.

Case report: An identification of a burn victim by utilizing recent dental extraction healing sites

Abstract: In the following case, the identification of a burn victim was aided by examination of the soft tissue areas on the alveolar surfaces, the sites of recent dental extractions and the evaluation of the degree of healing of these extraction sites. A review of the ante‐mortem radiographs and dental records of a suspected person who might be the burn victim revealed a history of recent extractions at the sites noted on the burn victim. This information in addition to the routine odontologic forensic landmarks aided in concluding a positive identification of the burn victim.

Participant observation of a minor train crash

Abstract: A two‐carriage train crash with a container lorry resulted in minor injuries to various people on board. A description of the event history of the incident including the types of injury and the reaction to shock are described. Corrective actions are discussed including guidelines for treatment to victims of shock, railway staff training in the event of an emergency, an event database and an egress ladder installed into carriage doors. Comparison is made to similar events and their corresponding recommendations, which suggests that a directory of incidents should be set up and maintained so that unambiguous corrective actions can be addressed.