Showing papers on "Disaster recovery published in 2006"

The concept of resilience revisited.

Abstract: The intimate connections between disaster recovery by and the resilience of affected communities have become common features of disaster risk reduction programmes since the adoption of The Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015. Increasing attention is now paid to the capacity of disaster-affected communities to 'bounce back' or to recover with little or no external assistance following a disaster. This highlights the need for a change in the disaster risk reduction work culture, with stronger emphasis being put on resilience rather than just need or vulnerability. However, varied conceptualisations of resilience pose new philosophical challenges. Yet achieving a consensus on the concept remains a test for disaster research and scholarship. This paper reviews the concept in terms of definitional issues, the role of vulnerability in resilience discourse and its meaning, and the differences between vulnerability and resilience. It concludes with some of the more immediately apparent implications of resilience thinking for the way we view and prepare for disasters.

Small Business in the Face of Crisis: Identifying Barriers to Recovery from a Natural Disaster1

Abstract: The crisis management literature has not dealt in depth with small business response to disasters. This study takes a qualitative approach to consider how small businesses respond to and recover from a large disaster, by interviewing stakeholders in five different communities in the Gulf Coast of the United States. Events that are considered to be crises in nature are usually characterized by high consequence, low probability, ambiguity, and decision making time pressure. Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath caused small business owners in the U.S. Gulf region to experience each of these. Findings include lack of planning by small business; vulnerability to cash flow interruption; lack of access to capital for recovery; problems caused by federal assistance; and serious infrastructure problems impeding recovery.

Introduction to Emergency Management

Abstract: 1. Introduction to Emergency Management. 2. Emergency Management Stakeholders. 3. Building an Effective Emergency Management Organization. 4. Risk Perception and Communication. 5. Principal Hazards in the United States. 6. Hazard, Vulnerability, and Risk Analysis. 7. Hazard Mitigation. 8. Disaster Myths, Disaster Demands and Citizen Emergency Response. 9. Preparedness for Emergency Response and Disaster Recovery. 10. Organizational Emergency Response. 11. Disaster Recovery. 12. Evaluation. 13. International Emergency Management. 14. Professional Accountability. 15. Future Directions in Emergency Management. References. Glossary. Index.

An integrated approach to natural disaster management

Abstract: Purpose – With an aim to develop an integrated approach for effectively managing natural disasters, this paper has three research objectives. First, it provides a framework for effective natural disaster management from a public project management perspective. Second, it proposes an integrated approach for successfully and effectively managing disaster crisis. Third, it specifies a set of critical success factors for managing disaster related public projects.Design/methodology/approach – A detailed case study of the tsunami was carried out to identify specific problems associated with managing natural disaster in Thailand.Findings – The investigations reveal that the country lacked a master plan for natural disaster management including prediction, warning, mitigation and preparedness, unspecified responsible governmental authority, unclear line of authority, ineffective collaboration among institutions in different levels, lack of encouragement for participation of local and international NGOs, lack of e...

Disaster Mitigation and Insurance: Learning from Katrina

Abstract: Hurricane Katrina illustrates the natural disaster syndrome. Prior to a disaster, individuals in hazard-prone regions do not voluntarily adopt cost-effective loss reduction measures. The federal government then comes to the rescue with disaster assistance even if it claimed it had no intention of doing so prior to the event. There are a number of reasons why individuals do not protect themselves prior to a disaster. They underestimate the likelihood of a future disaster, often believing that it will not happen to them; have budget constraints; are myopic in their behavior; and/or do not want to be the only one on the block modifying their structure. Given this lack of interest in voluntary protection, benefit-cost analysis can determine when a well-enforced building code would be appropriate. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships as a way of reducing future disaster losses and aiding the recovery process.

System and method for virtualizing backup images

Abstract: Facility for using images created by backup software to recreate an entire machine as it was at the point in time in the past when the backup was taken. The facility can be extended so as to bring up a set of machines which together serve some logical business function as in a cluster or federated servers, and further extended so that an entire data center may be virtualized from backup images. The virtualized servers provided may serve as an alternate data center standing in case of disaster or to meet maintenance windows achieving low cost Instant Disaster Recovery. A set of virtual machines may stand in for physical machines for a period of time and then resynchronized or re-seeded to physical machines via a combination of bare metal recovery and re-synchronizing from live LXJNs that form the virtual machine disks.

The Primacy of Partnership: Scoping a New National Disaster Recovery Policy

Abstract: Hurricane Katrina is widely perceived as a threshold-crossing event, capable of bringing about changes in public policy comparable with those that followed the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Headline-grabbing proposals for improving the leadership of disaster-management organizations divert attention from a task of greater importance: the nourishment of partnerships among different stakeholder groups. Such partnerships have previously been organized around common material interests. Stronger and more enduring partnerships might better be based on ideas that capture shared ambiguities of hazard, as well as material interests. Lay publics need to be engaged with contradictory concepts that exist across the full range of environmental and societal contexts in which hazards are embedded. The process of recovery from Katrina presents social scientists with an opportunity to extend inquiry and partnerships into new arenas that have the potential to sharpen intellectual understanding as well as to addr...

Disaster Response and Recovery: Strategies and Tactics for Resilience

Abstract: Introduction. 1. Knowing What to Expect: Hazards and Disasters. 2. Understanding the Actors: Role and Responsibilities of Disaster Participants. 3. Anticipating Human Behavior in Disasters: Myths, Exaggerations and Realities. 4. Approaching Response and Recovery Operations: Alternative Management Theories. 5. Responding with Initial Measures: Hazard Detection, Warning, Evacuation, and Sheltering. 6. Caring for the Injured, Dead and Distraught: Overcoming Physical and Emotional Impacts. 7. Managing Public Relations, Donations and Volunteers: Expected Challenges and Benefits. 8. Moving Beyond Immediate Needs: Damage Assessment, Disaster Declarations and Debris Removal. 9. Promoting Recovery and Mitigation: Disaster Assistance and Vulnerability Reduction. 10. Overcoming Typical Challenges: Other Anticipated Problems After Disaster. 11. Harnessing Technology and Organization: Tools for Local, State and Federal Governments. 12. Dealing with Future Disasters: Prior Lessons, New Threats and Rising Vulnerability. 13. Promoting Disaster Resilience: Preparedness, Improvisation, Professionalism and Leadership. Bibliography. Glossary. Index.

Robust Mobile Ad Hoc Space for Collaboration to Support Disaster Relief Efforts Involving Critical Physical Infrastructure

Abstract: When an extreme event hits an urban area, the efficiency and effectiveness of the first response have a profound effect on disaster relief efforts. The redefinition of the civil engineers' role and responsibilities as first response team members, along with an enhanced collaboration between disaster relief organizations, will greatly improve first response efforts and the securing of affected infrastructures. To improve collaboration efforts, the currently used radio systems-based interaction medium needs to be modified due to the impossibility of storing, retrieving, and transferring digital information, and limited support to implement information dissemination policies. This paper presents a reliable, transparent, and portable mobile ad hoc space for collaboration (MASC) based on a short range wireless communication platform to address these limitations in order to provide more consistent and efficient collaboration among first responders. The system was designed around a robust data redundancy core, and tested through software simulations and by conducting a search and rescue exercise involving civil engineers and firefighters. The simulation results highlight that the number of machines, the replication level, the size of the replication unit, and the wireless communication range are key design elements of the system in providing high availability. The search and rescue exercise allowed this research to confirm the high availability simulation results and to demonstrate that MASC is able to adequately manage and disseminate information in disaster scenarios. These encouraging results allow this research effort to conclude that MASC is able to address these new challenges.

The 2004 and 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes: Evolving Roles and Lessons Learned for Public Libraries in Disaster Preparedness and Community Services

Abstract: SUMMARY In the aftermath of the 2004 and 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, public libraries played many important roles in their communities, though ensuring access to vital information may have been the most critical service. This article explores the participation of public libraries in the recovery of their communities, the implications of this involvement for the place of public libraries in society, and lessons learned and recommendations for public library disaster planning. As this article demonstrates, public libraries successfully provided a range of disaster preparedness and recovery services that were not provided and could not have been provided by other government agencies.

Interventions following mass violence and disasters: Strategies for mental health practice.

Abstract: Part I: Introduction Friedman,Ritchie, Watson, Overview Ruzek, Models of Early Intervention Following Mass Violence and Other Trauma Part II: Preparation, Training, and Needs Assessment Watson, Ritchie, Demer, Bartone, Pfefferbaum, Improving Resilience Trajectories Following Mass Violence and Disaster Young, Ruzek,Wong, Salzer, Naturale, Disaster Mental Health Training: Guidelines, Considerations, and Recommendations Speier, Immediate Needs Assessment Following Catastrophic Disaster Incidents Part III: Mental Health Interventions Shalev, Interventions for Traumatic Stress: Theoretical Basis Orner, Kent, Pfefferbaum, Raphael, Watson, The Context of Providing Immediate Postevent Intervention Young, The Immediate Response to Disaster: Guidelines for Adult Psychological First Aid Bryant, Litz, Intermediate Interventions Raphael, Wooding, Longer-Term Mental Health Interventions for Adults Following Disasters and Mass Violence McCarroll, Ursano, Consultation to Groups, Organizations, and Communities Rosen, Young, Norris, On a Road Paved with Good Intentions, You Still Need a Compass: Monitoring and Evaluating Disaster Mental Health Services Part IV: Specific Situations and Populations Cohen, Mannarino, Gibson, Cozza, Brymer, Murray, Interventions for Children and Adolescents Following Disasters Leskin, Huleatt, Herrmann, LaDue, Gusman, Rapid Development of Family Assistance Centers: Lessons Learned Following the September 11 Terrorist Attacks Wain, Grammer, Stasinos, DeBoer, Psychiatric Intervention for Medical and Surgical Patients Following Traumatic Injuries Pastel, Ritchie, Mitigation of Psychological Effects of Weapons of Mass Destruction Norris, Alegria, Promoting Disaster Recovery in Ethnic-Minority Individuals and Communities Norris, Hamblen, Watson, Ruzek, Gibson, Pfefferbaum, Price, Stevens, Young, Friedman, Toward Understanding and Creating Systems of Postdisaster Care: A Case Study of New York's Response to the World Trade Center Disaster Naturale, Outreach Strategies: An Experiential Description of the Outreach Methodologies Used in the September 11 Disaster Response in New York Part V: Creating an Agenda for the Future Litz, Gibson, Conducting Research on Mental Health Interventions Ursano, Friedman, Mental Health and Behavioral Interventions for Victims of Disasters and Mass Violence: Caring, Planning, and Needs

On the road to recovery: restoring data after disasters

Abstract: Restoring data operations after a disaster is a daunting task: how should recovery be performed to minimize data loss and application downtime? Administrators are under considerable pressure to recover quickly, so they lack time to make good scheduling decisions. They schedule recovery based on rules of thumb, or on pre-determined orders that might not be best for the failure occurrence. With multiple workloads and recovery techniques, the number of possibilities is large, so the decision process is not trivial.This paper makes several contributions to the area of data recovery scheduling. First, we formalize the description of potential recovery processes by defining recovery graphs. Recovery graphs explicitly capture alternative approaches for recovering workloads, including their recovery tasks, operational states, timing information and precedence relationships. Second, we formulate the data recovery scheduling problem as an optimization problem, where the goal is to find the schedule that minimizes the financial penalties due to downtime, data loss and vulnerability to subsequent failures. Third, we present several methods for finding optimal or near-optimal solutions, including priority-based, randomized and genetic algorithm-guided ad hoc heuristics. We quantitatively evaluate these methods using realistic storage system designs and workloads, and compare the quality of the algorithms' solutions to optimal solutions provided by a math programming formulation and to the solutions from a simple heuristic that emulates the choices made by human administrators. We find that our heuristics' solutions improve on the administrator heuristic's solutions, often approaching or achieving optimality.

An Ad Hoc Network in the Sky, SKYMESH, for Large-Scale Disaster Recovery

Abstract: In the ad hoc communication system "SKYMESH", an urgent communication network backbone is built 50-100 meters high over ground by using balloons, taking advantage of good line-of-sight, low interference and long transmission range. SKYMESH is used as an emergency communication network when a large-scale natural disaster occurs. SKYMESH can be used for collecting information on disaster areas for rescue recovery and survey purposes. In this paper, an outline of SKYMESH and the result of the experiment performed at Niigata University campus in November 2005 are presented.

Regional Disaster Resilience : A Guide for Developing an Action Plan

Abstract: Regional Disaster Resilience: A Guide for Developing an Action Plan provides a much-needed strategy to develop the level of preparedness necessary for communities to adequately deal with major disasters in today's complex and interdependent world. The guide is meant for use by government, private-sector, and other organizations with specific missions or vested interests in assuring that the regions in which they reside can withstand the effects of multihazards and respond and recover rapidly when disasters strike. The guide provides key definitions and a set of common assumptions that underpin regional disaster resilience. Using a simple, practical how-to approach, the guide lists 12 categories of typical needs gleaned from lessons learned from previous disasters—natural and man-made. The guide recommends short-term, medium-term, and long-term activities to address these respective shortfalls. A website devoted to best practices/solutions and related resources mapped to the recommended activities in the guide is under development at www.tisp.org. The aim is to provide users of the guide with the ability to examine and customize approaches, tools, and technologies already developed to foster standardization across interdependent infrastructures and regions and to avoid reinventing the wheel. The guide will be updated as needed to reflect new information on needs, activities, and solutions.

Disaster Planning and Management

Abstract: Recent events such as hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, power outages, and the threat of pandemics have highlighted our vulnerability to natural disasters. This vulnerability is exacerbated by many organizations’ increasing dependence on computer, telecommunications, and other technologies, and trends toward integrating suppliers and business partners into everyday business operations. In response many organizations are implementing disaster recovery planning processes. In this paper we discuss how to identify threats and scenarios; how to articulate the disaster recovery strategies; and four elements of the generic disaster recovery plan: Mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. We then provide examples of software that can help disaster recovery professionals in the planning and implementation process. Finally we present some trends that will reinforce the criticality of the issue.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Concepts, Design, Implementation

Abstract: Companies and institutions depend more than ever on the availability of their Information Technology, and most mission critical business processes are IT-based. Business Continuity is the ability to do business under any circumstances and is an essential requirement faced by modern companies. Both concepts - High Availability and Disaster Recovery - are realized by redundant systems. This book presents requirements, concepts, and realizations of redundant systems on all abstraction levels, and all given examples refer to UNIX and Linux Systems.

A Case-Based Knowledge Management System for Disaster Management: Fundamental Concepts

Abstract: Computer-based knowledge management systems are vital for disaster detection, response planning, and management. These systems aid in early warning, and provide decision support for disaster response and recovery management. Managing past knowledge for reuse can expedite the process of disaster response and recovery management. While early warning systems predict some disasters with remarkable accuracy, there is a paucity of knowledge management systems for disaster response and management. This paper outlines a case-based reasoning (CBR) knowledge management system that in effect, is a model of human reasoning since it is based upon the idea that people frequently rely on previous problem-solving experiences when solving new problems. A CBR knowledge management system results in efficient and effective disaster response and management.

Principles of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery

Abstract: 1. Contingency Planning Within Information Security 2. Planning for Organizational Readiness 3. Incident Response: Preparation, Organization & Prevention 4. Incident Response: Detection and Decision Making 5. Incident Response: Reaction, Recovery, and Maintenance 6. Contingency Strategies for Business Resumption Planning 7. Disaster Recovery: Preparation and Implementation 8. Disaster Recovery: Operation and Maintenance 9. Business Continuity Preparation and Implementation 10. Business Continuity Operations and Maintenance 11. Crisis Management and Human Factors Appendix A: Incident Response Exercises

Setup method for disaster recovery system

Abstract: Provided is a technique of setting up a disaster recovery system. In a log-based disaster recovery system including a first site for processing data and a second site for storing a backup of the first site, the first site has a volume where data is stored and a volume that is made quiescent. The disaster recovery system accepts data updates while sequentially copying initial data from the quiescent volume to the second site. A copy of a log of the first site is kept in the second site and is synchronized with the original log. When data of the first site is updated and corresponding initial data has not been copied to the second site, the data to be updated is preferentially copied to the second site. A log is applied to the copied data, thereby matching data of the second site with data of the first site.

Selecting Technology for Disaster Recovery

Abstract: Properties of a computer system providing for its ability to recover from disaster are determined by its architecture and implemented technical solutions. Existing procedures of risk assessment and business impact analysis allow to assess the probability and potential results of a disaster, but do not provide direct guidelines as to the technical decisions. The paper outlines practical guidelines that close the gap between business-oriented analyses and technical design of disaster recovery facilities.

A comparison and classification framework for disaster information management systems

Abstract: A disaster, whether artificial or natural, can overwhelm even the best prepared segment of a society. When not properly managed, the same disaster inflicts far more damage than necessary. At the core of disaster management lie the monumental tasks of collecting, distributing, processing, and presenting disaster-related data. Although many products and proposals claim to accomplish these critical undertakings, few actually do live up to the expectations mainly due to the complex and comprehensive nature of disaster information management. Noting the lack of standards and consensus on what constitutes an ideal Disaster Information Management System (DIMS), this paper sets out to first identify essential requirements for a truly useful DIMS and to eventually propose a comparison and classification framework that can be used by various organisations considering the adoption of a DIMS.

Disaster Resilience through Local Economic Activity in Phuket

Abstract: Local economic activity is key to disaster resilience in much of the world. Without the flows of money generated by such activity, the ability to continue living, let alone recover, is limited. The long-term reality for the survivors of local communities is the struggle to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. In Phuket and the surrounding region most money is generated by tourism. However, the bulk of this money leaks out of the local and Thai economies benefiting people overseas rather than in Phuket. We suggest that this is a characteristic of the formal or documented economy, while the informal or undocumented economy keeps money in local hands. The recovery of the informal economy in Phuket has been largely ignored by tsunami recovery plans. Despite an acknowledgement that the informal economy supports about 30 per cent of workers in the tsunami affected area, most of the post-impact initiatives to lure the tourist dollar back have focused on the formal sector. This paper examines the dynamics of the local economy both formal and informal, and suggests that maximum benefit would be gained by putting more effort into the informal. The implications for Australia are that disaster recovery should concentrate on restoring local economic activity- and in many areas, especially rural areas, should consider the importance of the informal sector for local livelihoods.

Nanotechnology-Enabled Wireless Sensor Networks: From a Device Perspective

Abstract: The advancement of wireless communications and integrated circuit technology has enabled the development of low-cost sensor networks. The sensor networks can be used for various application areas (disaster recovery, health, military, homeland security, environment, home, etc.). For each application area, there are different technical issues that researchers are currently resolving. However, many of them are trying to tackle the limitations of this field from a network perspective. Sometimes, the effectiveness of some proposed approaches must be complemented by the supports of hardware design. This article points out the possibilities of overcoming the same problem set from a device perspective by taking advantage of the merits of nanotechnologies. At the same time, open research issues and challenges are identified to spark new interests and developments in this field

Dispelling 10 common disaster recovery myths: Lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and other disasters

Abstract: Disasters happen all the time; yet despite this, many organizations are caught unprepared or make unrealistic assumptions. These factors create environments that will fail during a disaster. Most information technology (IT) curricula do not cover disaster recovery (DR) plans and strategies in depth. The unfortunate result is that most new computer systems are implemented without sufficient disaster recovery plans and testing. Courses on network security need to examine DR as a real threat and cover it as a core module. By dispelling the 10 common myths, organizations can better plan, develop, and test true DR plans.

Echoes, transgressions, and transformations : identity reorientation and the discourse of disaster recovery

Abstract: Little attention has been paid to the discursive framework that guides the experiences of "recovery" from natural disasters and associated health-related consequences. Traditional psychological paradigms in disaster studies have tended to adopt a mechanistic view that controls for complexity by minimizing the sociocultural and gendered contexts of disaster recovery and accepting uncritically the ideological assumptions that guide the process. This has resulted in a narrow framing of recovery that focuses primarily on the economic and material consequences of disasters and promotes a speedy return to the status quo. This study begins to address this gap in research and practice by adopting a complexsystems and critical perspective to examine the psychosocial process and discursive practices of disaster recovery. A critical, multi-sited ethnographic approach was applied to study the recovery process in two rural communities in British Columbia, Canada, where the McLure Fire forest fire destroyed homes and businesses, ravaged the landscape, and devastated the economic sustainability of the region. Qualitative analysis methods, including strategies from social construedvist grounded theory, methods from critical discourse analysis, and creative writing strategies were employed to examine interviews with residents, local news media texts, and the reflections of the researcher for themes and guiding and informing discourses. A social-psychological process described as disorientation and reorientation was identified in which residents navigated and negotiated shifts in their material and social frames of reference associated with the material and symbolic losses incurred as a result of the McLure Fire. Reorientation involved a complex process of recreating and redefining individual and collective identities. Despite the complexity of this process, the dominant discursive practice of disaster recovery identified in both the media and interview accounts continued to emphasize the economic and material aspects of recovery. This had the effect of marginalizing and sequestering suffering, and constrained opportunities for individual and social capacity building. The findings suggest that adopting a complex systems approach to disaster might result in new more flexible and empowering practices. Including a mindfulness approach to the disorientation of disasters would focus attention on emergent possibilities and the creative potential of the identity reorientation process during recovery from a disaster.

Disaster recover/continuity of business adaptive solution framework

Abstract: A framework and method for use in determining appropriate information technology system disaster recovery and operational continuity solutions for an enterprise. In one embodiment the method includes identifying (504) business processes associated with achieving a defined mission of the enterprise. Assets of the information technology system are grouped (508) into one or more functional sub-system/data class groups and one or more of the business processes are selected. The functional sub-system/data class groups are mapped (524) to the selected business processes to establish a correspondence between each selected business process and one or more of the functional sub-system/data class groups. Thereafter, each functional sub-system/data class group corresponding with each selected business process is associated (602) with a solution class included in a three-dimensional disruption tolerance decision matrix.