Showing papers on "Disaster recovery published in 2008"

On Line Disaster Response Community: People as Sensors of High Magnitude Disasters Using Internet GIS

Abstract: The Indian Ocean tsunami (2004) and Hurricane Katrina (2005) reveal the coming of age of the on-line disaster response community. Due to the integration of key geospatial technologies (remote sensing - RS, geographic information systems - GIS, global positioning systems – GPS) and the Internet, on-line disaster response communities have grown. They include the traditional aspects of disaster preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and policy as facilitated by governmental agencies and relief response organizations. However, the contribution from the public via the Internet has changed significantly. The on-line disaster response community includes several key characteristics: the ability to donate money quickly and efficiently due to improved Internet security and reliable donation sites; a computer-savvy segment of the public that creates blogs, uploads pictures, and disseminates information – oftentimes faster than government agencies, and message boards to create interactive information exchange in seeking family members and identifying shelters. A critical and novel occurrence is the development of “people as sensors” - networks of government, NGOs, private companies, and the public - to build rapid response databases of the disaster area for various aspects of disaster relief and response using geospatial technologies. This paper examines these networks, their products, and their future potential.

Enabling Participatory Planning After Disasters: A Case Study of the World Bank's Housing Reconstruction in Turkey

Abstract: Problem: Literature emphasizes that the public should participate in the planning of postdisaster recovery, but several challenges impede such participation. Purpose: This article examines what hindered public participation in a particular housing reconstruction project and suggests how planners can better enable public participation in planning after disasters. Methods: The article is based on a case study of a housing reconstruction project sponsored by the World Bank in the Sirinkoy neighborhood of the city of Golcuk in northwestern Turkey after the August 17, 1999, earthquake. In addition to reviewing secondary sources, our primary data collection methods for the case study included onsite participant observation and conducting in-depth semistructured interviews and a focus group. Results and conclusions: The case demonstrates that the World Bank defined the public in public participation narrowly, only seeking participation from project beneficiaries and excluding such relevant local stakeholders as ...

Capitalizing on catastrophe : neoliberal strategies in disaster reconstruction

Abstract: Part 1 Part I. Framing the Capitalization of Catastrophes Chapter 2 Chapter 1. Human Security versus Neoliberal Approaches to Disaster Recovery Chapter 3 Chapter 2. Deconstructing the Disaster after the Disaster: Conceptualizing Disaster Capitalism Chapter 4 Chapter 3. Through a Glass, Darkly: Humanitarianism and Empire Part 5 Part II. Tourism as Reconstruction Chapter 6 Chapter 4. International Tourism and Disaster Capitalism: The Case of Hurricane Mitch in Honduras Chapter 7 Chapter 5. Peddling Paradise, Rebuilding Serendib: The 100-Meter Refugees versus the Tourism Industry in Post-tsunami Sri Lanka Chapter 8 Chapter 6. The Resilience of Vulnerable Households: Adjusting to Neoliberal Capitalism in the Aftermath of Hurricane Iris Part 9 Part III. Exposing Katrina: Class, Race, and Displacement Chapter 10 Chapter 7. Race, Class, and the Politics of Death: Critical Responses to Hurricane Katrina Chapter 11 Chapter 8. Disaster, Displacement and Employment: Distortion of Labor Markets During Post-Katrina Reconstruction Chapter 12 Chapter 9. Class Inequality, Liberal Bad Faith, and Neoliberalism: the True Disaster of Katrina Part 13 Part IV. Prolonging Recovery: Bypassing Accountability and Transparency Chapter 14 Chapter 10. Capitalization of Post-9/11 Recovery Chapter 15 Chapter 11. The Foul Odor of Capital: The Union Carbide Disaster in Bhopal, India Part 16 Part V. Dividends of Conflict: Reconstruction as Reform Chapter 17 Chapter 12. "Haiti is Finished!" Haiti's End of History Meets the Ends of Capitalism Chapter 18 Chapter 13. After the Storm: The Aftermath of Guatemala's Post-Civil War Part 19 Part VI. Conclusion: Envisioning Alternatives: Seven Pragmatic Proposals to Advance Human Security in Disaster Assistance and Recovery

Method and system for automated integrated server-network-storage disaster recovery planning

Abstract: An automated disaster recovery (DR) planning system for a computing environment is provided. A discovery module discovers servers, networks, and storage devices in a computing environment. An expert knowledge base module captures best practices in planning, and capabilities, interoperability, limitation and boundary values for different DR technologies. A match-making module determines multiple DR plans as combinations of one or more replication technologies that can be used to satisfy DR requirements. And, an optimizer configured for assessing a feasible DR plan from said multiple DR plans, to deploy for DR planning of a primary computing environment.

Data against natural disasters : establishing effective systems for relief, recovery, and reconstruction

Abstract: Data against natural disasters makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of the conditions and actions necessary for establishing effective disaster management information systems. The volume's introductory chapters outline the data needs that arise at different stages in disaster response and explore the humanitarian community's efforts to discover more effective mechanisms. These overviews are preceded by an introduction that summarizes some of the key lessons one may derive from the six country (Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) case studies that constitute the rest of the volume. These six case studies examine country-level efforts to establish information management systems to coordinate disaster response. Not all of the attempts proved successful, but they included important technical and institutional innovations that are worthy of study. Collectively, they yield important lessons both for forward-thinking countries seeking ex ante disaster preparedness and for humanitarian responders hoping to implement good systems quickly after calamities have struck.

Library Roles in Disaster Response: An Oral History Project by the National Library of Medicine

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To develop a knowledgebase of stories illustrating the variety of roles that librarians can assume in emergency and disaster planning, preparedness, response, and recovery, the National Library of Medicine conducted an oral history project during the summer of 2007. The history aimed to describe clearly and compellingly the activities--both expected and unusual--that librarians performed during and in the aftermath of the disasters. While various types of libraries were included in interviews, the overall focus of the project was on elucidating roles for medical libraries. METHODS: Using four broad questions as the basis for telephone and email interviews, the investigators recorded the stories of twenty-three North American librarians who responded to bombings and other acts of terrorism, earthquakes, epidemics, fires, floods, hurricanes, and tornados. RESULTS: Through the process of conducting the oral history, an understanding of multiple roles for libraries in disaster response emerged. The roles fit into eight categories: institutional supporters, collection managers, information disseminators, internal planners, community supporters, government partners, educators and trainers, and information community builders. CONCLUSIONS: Librarians--particularly health sciences librarians--made significant contributions to preparedness and recovery activities surrounding recent disasters. Lessons learned from the oral history project increased understanding of and underscored the value of collaborative relationships between libraries and local, state, and federal disaster management agencies and organizations. Language: en

Towards a business continuity information network for rapid disaster recovery

Abstract: Crisis Management and Disaster Recovery have gained immense importance in the wake of recent man and nature inflicted calamities such as the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001 and hurricanes/earthquakes i.e. Katrina (2005), Wilma (2005) and Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004). Most of the recent work has been conducted for crisis management under terrorist attacks and emergency management services under natural disasters with private business continuity and disaster recovery a secondary concern. In this paper, we propose a model for pre-disaster preparation and post-disaster business continuity/rapid recovery. The model is utilized to design and develop a web based prototype of our Business Continuity Information Network (BCIN) system facilitating collaboration among local, state, federal agencies and the business community for rapid disaster recovery. We present our model and prototype with Hurricane Wilma as the case study.

Post‐Hurricane Katrina Employment Recovery: The Interaction of Race and Place*

Abstract: Objective. The mass migrations, infrastructure decimation, and widespread impact zone make Hurricane Katrina an especially difficult disaster from which to recover. Employment is an important aspect of effective disaster recovery. The purpose of this article is to examine determinants of employment recovery approximately one month and one year after Hurricane Katrina. Methods. The data are from a two-stage survey of Hurricane Katrina survivors conducted by the Gallup Organization in September/October 2005 and August 2006. A series of logistic regression models were preformed on data from the two time points. Results. The results suggest a complexity to inequality where race and place interact to determine employment recovery. Displacement, gender, income, and homeownership were also significant. Conclusions. Recovery efforts and future research need to incorporate more complex understandings of vulnerability, with particular attention paid to the issues of employment and reemployment.

The impact of the 2004 tsunami on coastal Thai communities: assessing adaptive capacity.

Abstract: The suddenness and scale of the 26 December 2004 tsunami and the challenges posed to affected communities highlighted the benefits of their members having a capacity to confront and adapt to the consequences of such a disaster. Research into adaptive capacity or resilience has been conducted almost exclusively with Western populations. This paper describes an exploratory study of the potential of a measure of collective efficacy developed for Western populations to predict the capacity of members of a collective society, Thai citizens affected by the 2004 tsunami, to confront effectively the recovery demands associated with this disaster. Following a demonstration that this measure could predict adaptive capacity, the role of religious affiliation, ethnicity and place of residence in sustaining collective efficacy is discussed. The implications of the findings for future research on, and intervention to develop, adaptive capacity among Thai citizens in particular and collectivist societies in general are discussed.

Auditing of post‐disaster recovery and reconstruction activities

Abstract: Purpose – This paper seeks to explore the application of auditing and quality assurance principles and practices to the planning and implementation of post‐disaster recovery and reconstruction.Design/methodology/approach – The paper notes the risk to a disaster recovery organization's credibility if fraud and poor performance are apparent in its efforts to support disaster recovery and reconstruction, and it provides examples of relief organizations' efforts to ensure that their actions are both credible and effective. The paper examines the complex and multi‐faceted processes of post‐disaster recovery and reconstruction, and it describes the growing emphasis around the world on social justice/equity issues and the importance of proper governance. It explores the advantages and pitfalls of incorporating auditing practices into the effective implementation of recovery and reconstruction activities. The paper concludes with a discussion of the importance to the affected communities of knowing that expenditu...

When the Levee Breaks: Treating Adolescents and Families in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

Abstract: Hurricane Katrina brought to the surface serious questions about the capacity of the public health system to respond to community-wide disaster. The storm and its aftermath severed developmentally protective family and community ties; thus its consequences are expected to be particularly acute for vulnerable adolescents. Research confirms that teens are at risk for a range of negative outcomes under conditions of life stress and family disorganization. Specifically, the multiple interacting risk factors for substance abuse in adolescence may be compounded when families and communities have experienced a major trauma. Further, existing service structures and treatments for working with young disaster victims may not address their risk for co-occurring substance abuse and traumatic stress reactions because they tend to be individually or peer group focused, and fail to consider the multi-systemic aspects of disaster recovery. This article proposes an innovative family-based intervention for young disaster victims, based on an empirically supported model for adolescent substance abuse, Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT; Liddle, 2002). Outcomes and mechanisms of the model’s effects are being investigated in a randomized clinical trial with clinically referred substance-abusing teens in a New Orleans area community impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

Recovery from natural and man-made disasters as capabilities restoration and enhancement

Abstract: In the literature on the recovery of societies from natural disasters, a dominant theme is the importance of pursuing and achieving sustainable recovery. Sustainability implies that recovery efforts should aim to (re-) build, maintain, and, if possible, enhance the quality of life of members of the disaster-stricken community in the short and long term. In this paper, we propose a capabilities-based approach to recovery and argue that it provides important theoretical resources for better realizing this ideal of sustainability in practice. From a capabilities-based approach, the societal impact of a disaster is measured in terms of its impact on selected capabilities of individuals within society. Capabilities are constitutive elements of well-being and capture the valuable doings and beings individuals can achieve or become (e.g., being adequately nourished, and being sheltered). A proposed Disaster Impact Index (DII), we argue, can capture the societal impact of a disaster by measuring its impact on the well-being of individuals, as gauged by the changes in individuals’ capabilities. We discuss how to measure this impact in practice. Also, a proposed Disaster Recovery Index (DRI) measures the current level of individuals’ capabilities. It can provide important information on the degree to which capabilities have been restored and enhanced by comparing the DRI against a benchmark, or level of capabilities attainment, toward which recovery processes should strive. We argue that the DII and DRI provide critical information for policy- and decision-makers to use in order to practically implement the principles of sustainable recovery. Both can be used in the process of predisaster planning for recovery and in the period of recovery itself.

Real-Time Data Services for Cyber Physical Systems

Abstract: Cyber physical systems (CPSs) have grand visions with great socio-economic impacts such as blackout-free electricity supply and real-time disaster recovery. A key challenge is providing real-time data services for CPSs. Existing real-time data management techniques and wireless sensor networks (WSNs) fall far short to support timely, secure real-time data services for CPSs. In this paper, we present a novel information-centric approach to supporting these requirements in CPSs. In our approach, network-enabled real-time embedded databases (nRTEDBs) communicate with each other and control and communicate with wireless sensors in a secure, timely manner. Unlike sensor databases such as TinyDB, nRTEDBs collaboratively derive global knowledge of real world phenomena. Based on the collective information, they actively control a WSN to extract important data directly relevant to an event of interest. In this way, nRTEDBs considerably enhance the overall timeliness, security, and efficiency.

Disaster Management Handbook

Abstract: Introduction, theoretical constructs, and conceptual foundations Development and Disaster Preparedness: The Delusion of Preparedness in the Face of Overwhelming Forces, J. Pinkowski Rising Disasters and their Reversal: An Identification of Vulnerability and Ways to Reduce It, R. Misomali and D. McEntire The Politics of Disaster Management: The Evolution of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, M.R. Daniels Katrina and her Waves: Presidential Leadership, Intergovernmental Disaster Management, and Hurricane Response and Recovery, B. Gerber and D.B. Cohen The Role of Coordination in Disaster Management, R. Prizzia CASE STUDIES AND LESSONS LEARNED: U.S. NATURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS A Different Approach to Disaster Recovery: Alaskan Earthquake Disaster Recovery, D. Ink Hurricane Hugo: Two States' Responses to the Disaster, N.S. Lind and P. Lafeber Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: The Critical Role of the Nonprofit Community in the San Antonio Disaster Response, S.A. Palomo-Gonzalez and D. Rahm Small Town Disaster Management: Lessons Learned from Katrina in Mississippi, J. Pinkowski and G. Bass Emergency Contracting for Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans Gulf Area, M.M. Dickens Johnson Debris Disposal and Recycling for the Cedar and Paradise Wildfires in San Diego, O. Debraal and W.T. Williams CASE STUDIES AND LESSONS LEARNED: INTERNATIONAL DISASTERS Disaster in the United States and Canada: The Case of the Red River, D.R. Kemp Variability of Natural Hazard Risk in the European Alps: Evidence from Damage Potential Exposed to Snow Avalanches, S. Fuchs and M. Keiler Disaster Management Structure in Turkey: Away from a Reactive and Paternalistic Approach? N.E. Ganapati HIV/AIDS in Africa: Botswana's Response to the Pandemic, K.C. Sharma and T. Seleke Toward Disaster Resilient Communities: A New Approach for India, Africa, and South Asia, U. Medury FIRST RESPONSE AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT National Incident Management System: Bringing Order to Chaos, B.J. Moeller Hospital Emergency Preparedness, N.V. Cagliuso, E.J. Lazar, A.N. Lazar, and L.J. Berger Media Relations and External Communications during a Disaster, M. Lee Responding to Natural Disasters: An Increased Military Response and Its Impact on Public Policy Administration, D.S. Miller, M. Pavelchak, R. Burnside, and J.D. Rivera Military Involvement in Disaster Response, J. Levinson HUMAN, PERSONAL, AND INTERPERSONAL ISSUES Disaster Management and Populations with Special Needs, S.J. Penner and C. Wachsmuth Disaster Psychology: A Dual Perspective, G. Coultman-Smith Managing the Spontaneous Volunteer, B.J. Gallant First Responders and Workforce Protection, P.J. Havice-Cover Disaster Rehabilitation: Towards a New Perspective, A. Dhameja The Half-Full Glass: How a Community Can Successfully Come Back Better and Stronger Post-Disaster, D.W. Sears and J.N. Reid PLANNING, PREVENTION, AND PREPAREDNESS The Role of Training in Disaster Management: The Case of Hawaii, R. Prizzia Disaster Management and Intergovernmental Relations, P. LaFeber and N.S. Lind Issues in Hospital Preparedness, R. Powers Strategic Planning for Emergency Managers, R. Sturgis Index

Managing Post-Disaster Reconstruction Finance : International Experience in Public Financial Management

Abstract: In recent years, natural and man-made disasters have confronted the international community with its most demanding reconstruction challenges since the aftermath of World War II. Managing the inflow of resources and spending those resources well have proven to be two of the main difficulties in such reconstruction projects, particularly after large-scale disasters. A central dilemma of the public financial management of reconstruction is the need for very high levels of accountability to demonstrate fiduciary credibility, while at the same time ensuring the rapid implementation of recovery programs. This paper identifies options and lessons for managing post-disaster reconstruction finance in three key areas: (i) the establishment of special institutions to manage the reconstruction process; (ii) the selection of public financial management systems with respect to the application of country systems, special fiduciary arrangements, or donor/NGO execution; and (iii) monitoring and evaluation systems. The authors synthesize the phasing of assistance and approaches in eight recent post-natural disaster reconstruction efforts (Aceh-Indonesia, Yogyakarta-Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Pakistan, Colombia, Grenada, and Honduras) to help guide the priorities and options for future instances of public financial management for disaster reconstruction. The paper also compares the challenges posed by post-conflict versus post-natural disaster public financial management.

Ethnocultural perspectives on disaster and trauma: Foundations, issues, and applications.

Abstract: Background and Foundations.- Essential Concepts and Foundations.- Promoting Disaster Recovery in Ethnic-Minority Individuals and Communities.- Ethnocultural and Racial Group Considerations.- Meeting the Physical, Psychological, and Social Needs of African Americans Following a Disaster.- Essential Information for Disaster Management and Trauma Specialists Working with American Indians.- Arab Americans: Understanding Their Challenges, Needs, and Struggles.- Asian Indians: Cultural Considerations for Disaster Workers.- Caribbean Blacks: (Haitiains, Jamaicans, Virgin Islanders, Eastern Caribbean) Responses to Disasters in Cultural Context.- Chinese Americans: Guidelines for Disaster Mental Health Workers.- The Kanaka Maoli:Native Hawaiians and heir Testimony of Trauma and Resilience.- Mexicans, Mexican Americans, Caribbean, and Other Latin Americans.- Working with Vietnamese Americans in Disasters.- Culture, Trauma, and the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Syndromes: A Global Perspective.

Sequestering of suffering: critical discourse analysis of natural disaster media coverage.

Abstract: This article is a critical discourse analysis of the local print-news media coverage of the recovery process in two rural communities following a devastating forest fire. Two hundred and fifty fire-related articles from the North Thompson Star Journal (2003) were analyzed. Results revealed a neoliberal discursive framing of recovery, emphasizing the economic-material aspects of the process and a reliance on experts. A sequestering of suffering discourse promoted psychological functionalism and focused attention on a return to normalcy through the compartmentalization of distress. The dominant 'voice' was male, authoritative, and institutionalized. Implications for disaster recovery and potential health consequences are discussed.

Promoting Disaster Recovery in Ethnic-Minority Individuals and Communities

Abstract: People who identify as African American, Native American, Asian American, or Hispanic/Latino accounted for 30% of the U.S. population in 2000 and are projected to account for almost 40% of the population in 2025 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 2001). The mental health system in general and the disaster mental health system in particular are challenged to meet the needs of this increasingly diverse population. The issues are complex because the effects of ethnicity and culture are pervasive. They may influence the need for help, the availability of help, comfort in seeking help, and the appropriateness of that help. In this chapter, we review the evidence regarding each of these points to draw conclusions regarding how to promote disaster recovery in ethnic-minority individuals and communities.

From high availability and disaster recovery to business continuity solutions

Abstract: We first provide an overview of the state-of-the-art architectures for continuous availability, briefly covering such traditional concepts as high-availability (HA) clustering on distributed platforms and on the mainframe. We explain how HA can be achieved in environments based on Sun Microsystems J2EE™, which differ from classical clustering approaches, and we discuss how disaster recovery DR) has become an extension of HA. The paper then presents aspects of service management, including the use and orchestration of process-based (ITIL®) systems management tasks within DR scenarios, where the key challenge is to ensure the right level of redundancy in the integration and service-oriented management of heterogeneous information technology landscapes.

High Altitude Platforms for Disaster Recovery: Capabilities, Strategies, and Techniques for Emergency Telecommunications

Abstract: Natural disasters and terrorist acts have significant potential to disrupt emergency communication systems. These emergency communication networks include first-responder, cellular, landline, and emergency answering services such as 911, 112, or 999. Without these essential emergency communications capabilities, search, rescue, and recovery operations during a catastrophic event will be severely debilitated. High altitude platforms could be fitted with telecommunications equipment and used to support these critical communications missions once the catastrophic event occurs. With the ability to be continuously on station, HAPs provide excellent options for providing emergency coverage over high-risk areas before catastrophic incidents occur. HAPs could also provide enhanced 911 capabilities using either GPS or reference stations. This paper proposes potential emergency communications architecture and presents a method for estimating emergency communications systems traffic patterns for a catastrophic event.

Shared data center disaster recovery systems and methods

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing disaster recovery services to enterprise customers of virtual computing services are described. Disaster recovery services may be provided in data centers that also provide primary computing services to enterprise customers. Disaster recovery services may be distributed across the data centers, such that no dedicated disaster recovery site exists. In addition, disaster recovery services may be provided such that each of the enterprise customers receiving primary services at a given data center may be distributed across the remaining data centers for disaster recovery purposes.

Data integrity and intrusion detection in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract: Wireless sensor networks are emerging as cost effective solutions to critical applications such as remote monitoring of strategic installations covering large geographical areas, pollution control and disaster recovery. Their ability of self-organization, built-in redundancy and operational capabilities without needing human intervention make Wireless Sensor Networks suitable for such remote monitoring applications. But the unattended operation of WSNs and limited processing capabilities of the individual nodes make them vulnerable to a variety of security attacks, especially disruption of information flow or data corruption. For wired or wireless ad-hoc networks, there exist several automated systems for maintaining their functional integrity. Unfortunately, these strategies are not directly applicable to WSNs since ad-hoc networks are not as resource constrained as WSNs.This paper tries to develop distributed algorithms for detecting anomalous activity in information flow patterns in large-scale sensor networks. These algorithms will be used as building blocks of an integrated system for intrusion detection, attack isolation and fully automated response for assuring WSN survivability and information flow continuity.

Building resilient communities : risk management and response to natural disasters through social funds and community-driven development operations

Abstract: The Toolkit 'building resilient communities: risk management and response to natural disasters through social funds and community-driven development operations' is designed to help task teams on World Bank social funds and community-driven development (CDD) operations to identify disaster risk management issues in their programs and projects and to design and implement appropriate responses. It introduces the concepts and components of Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) and their key relationship to the achievement of the development and poverty reduction objectives of the World Bank. The contents draw upon the experience of social funds and CDD operations, as well as international good practice, to identify operational areas where social fund/CDD operations have a comparative advantage for achieving successful results in reducing natural disaster risks and impacts on poor and vulnerable communities. The Toolkit also provides guidance from past and current social fund/CDD operations about the most effective ways to manage operational challenges when implementing CBDRM activities, such as the rapid mobilization and scaling up of emergency response operations.

Supporting disaster response and recovery through improved situation awareness

Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to discuss how a high level of situation awareness (SA) has the potential to enhance first responders' performance and manage work demand resulting from distributed, dynamic, and chaotic situations resulting from a disaster in modern urban environments. It also aims to present a theoretical framework to address needs of an effective disaster response, enhanced collaboration and improved SA. The purpose of this is to help better understand current disaster response schemes in terms of SA, based on the understanding, find a way to improve the disaster response effectiveness, and quantitatively evaluate existing and future disaster response processes. The paper seeks to characterize current disaster response operations by various shortcomings, including inability to access information, lack of coordination, and poor communications. All this makes it difficult to deal with dynamic work demand resulting from disasters.Design/methodology/approach – A response framework, integrating IT ...

Real-time hazard map generation using small unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract: This paper presents a disaster mitigation system that uses a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The immediate assessment of damage and the continuous collection of information when natural disasters such as large earthquakes strike are important for developing a disaster recovery plan for damage mitigation. In this study, we develop a small prototype UAV and onboard software using a GPS navigation system and propose a unique disaster mitigation system that generates digital real-time hazard maps with the aid of the UAV. The effectiveness of the proposed system is confirmed by a flight experiment.

The Crucial Role of Civil Society in Disaster Recovery and Japan’s Preparedness for Emergencies

Abstract: This article is concerned with the empirical puzzle of why certain neighborhoods and localities recover more quickly than others following disasters. It illuminates four mainstream theories of rehabilitation and resilience, and then investigates a neglected factor, namely the role of social networks and civil society. Initial analyses underscore the important role of trust and connectivity among local residents in the process of rebuilding. After examining the role of civil society in Japan’s preparedness for emergencies, the article concludes with some policy recommendations for governments and nongovernmental actors involved in disaster relief.

Building assessment during disaster response and recovery

Abstract: During disaster response and recovery operations, civil engineers can be assigned a multitude of tasks including triage of building search priorities, identifi cation and evaluation of structural hazards, as well as the development of appropriate structural hazard mitigation techniques and monitoring of hazards, while coordinating and reporting this information to the incident command centre (ICC). This paper reviews the role of civil engineers in disaster response with a focus on existing building assessment and marking systems and highlights various limitations of existing approaches. A mobile information technology (IT)-based collaborative framework is discussed to facilitate a coordinated disaster response and recovery operation. It enables engineers to assess building damage better and to make this information available to personnel more quickly and easily within the disaster area and thereby improve disaster response. The deployed architecture is composed of various components including radio frequency identifi cation (RFID)-based structural assessment, a field engineer’s mobility and information support platform and geographic information systems (GIS)-based resource optimisation. Deployed infrastructure enables the on-site and on-demand information provisioning, data processing and computational support required by engineers in the aftermath of a disaster.

The Entrepreneur's Role in Post-Disaster Community Recovery: Implications for Post-Disaster Recovery Policy

Abstract: Using information gleaned from interviews conducted in the Greater New Orleans region over the last three years, this Policy Primer examines the role that economic entrepreneurs play in post-disaster community recovery and describes how social entrepreneurs promote community resilience.The authors conclude by proposing policy recommendations that would eliminate artificial barriers to economic and social entrepreneurship and improve the recovery process. In particular, the authors recommend that policy makers relax unnecessary regulations, as in a post-disaster context, such regulations can become not only unwieldy, but also can impede recovery. They also urge policy makers to permit entrepreneurs to step in as soon as possible, because entrepreneurs are in the best position to assess local conditions and needs in the rapidly changing, post-disaster environment.

Automated planners for storage provisioning and disaster recovery

Abstract: Introducing an application into a data center involves complex interrelated decision-making for the placement of data (where to store it) and resiliency in the event of a disaster (how to protect it). Automated planners can assist administrators in making intelligent placement and resiliency decisions when provisioning for both new and existing applications. Such planners take advantage of recent improvements in storage resource management and provide guided recommendations based on monitored performance data and storage models. For example, the IBM Provisioning Planner provides intelligent decision-making for the steps involved in allocating and assigning storage for workloads. It involves planning for the number, size, and location of volumes on the basis of workload performance requirements and hierarchical constraints, planning for the appropriate number of paths, and enabling access to volumes using zoning, masking, and mapping. The IBM Disaster Recovery (DR) Planner enables administrators to choose and deploy appropriate replication technologies spanning servers, the network, and storage volumes to provide resiliency to the provisioned application. The DR Planner begins with a list of high-level application DR requirements and creates an integrated plan that is optimized on criteria such as cost and solution homogeneity. The Planner deploys the selected plan using orchestrators that are responsible for failover and failback.

SWEEPER: an efficient disaster recovery point identification mechanism

Abstract: Data corruption is one of the key problems that is on top of the radar screen of most CIOs. Continuous Data Protection (CDP) technologies help enterprises deal with data corruption by maintaining multiple versions of data and facilitating recovery by allowing an administrator restore to an earlier clean version of data. The aim of the recovery process after data corruption is to quickly traverse through the backup copies (old versions), and retrieve a clean copy of data. Currently, data recovery is an ad-hoc, time consuming and frustrating process with sequential brute force approaches, where recovery time is proportional to the number of backup copies examined and the time to check a backup copy for data corruption. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of SWEEPER architecture and backup copy selection algorithms that specifically tackle the problem of quickly and systematically identifying a good recovery point. We monitor various system events and generate checkpoint records that help in quickly identifying a clean backup copy. The SWEEPER methodology dynamically determines the selection algorithm based on user specified recovery time and recovery point objectives, and thus, allows system administrators to perform trade-offs between recovery time and data currentness. We have implemented our solution as part of a popular Storage Resource Manager product and evaluated SWEEPER under many diverse settings. Our study clearly establishes the effectiveness of SWEEPER as a robust strategy to significantly reduce recovery time.