Showing papers on "Emergency management published in 1981"

Disaster: Prevention, Preparedness and Action.

Abstract: CONSERVATION materials embraces a broad OF LIBRARY A N D ARCHIVAL spectrum of problems and concerns. As librarians try to grapple with poor paper, brittle collections, mutilation, insects, hostile environment, air pollution, and lack of funds, there is the ever-present danger that disaster may affect the collections they have been trying to build and maintain. Thus, disaster prevention and preparedness become part of conservation concern. But the field of disaster prevention and action is not one in which much experimentation has happened. Nor is it one where difficult problems can be tested in practice often enough to devise sound methods of operation. In the aftermath of the Florence flood in 1966, in the frantic need to dry massive numbers of valuable items, several experimental drying methods were tried-most proved to be unsuccessful. But one conclusion seemed clear. An organized approach to disaster prevention and action would save more material than a haphazard one. In the intervening years there have been enough library disasters with enough losses to emphasize this point. This paper will reiterate what has been learned (to the extent that it seems appropriate to state anything). These points seem applicable to large or small collections, in libraries and archives, with a concern to be prepared for any eventuality. A disaster is described by Webster as a “sudden calamitous event bringing great damage, loss, or destruction.” For libraries and archives the disaster can be devastating and irreversible to the fragile contents of their collections. The results of the Florence flood emphasize again the

A decision support system for emergency management

Abstract: The intention of this work is to provide a contribution within the context of THEMIS project, providing an expert system able to provide a support for decision-making. Having as a support base past cases, it is intended to infer the means to be employed to provide a response to a certain event. This work was initiated through bibliographic research related to different topics that encompass support to decision-making through intelligent systems. Accordingly, the topics included in this thesis are: crisis management, command and control, decision-making, case based reasoning and neural networks. In order to optimize the case based reasoning system response through neural networks, it was possible to understand which variables really influence the inference of the means to use for the resolution of an event. Enabling the case based reasoning methodology to infer decision making with greater accuracy. The analysis of the results, referring to a representative event, showed that the variables that most influenced the prediction model are Entities Involved, Civilian Casualties and Nature. This realization allowed the case based reasoning system to obtain results very similar to the decision-making adopted by commanders.

Issues in emergency preparedness for radiological transportation accidents

Abstract: The major issues and decision areas regarding preparedness for radiological emergencies are outlined. It is concluded that at the state and local level, emergency preparedness for nuclear transportation accidents needs more attention and resources. Pre-notification of the contents of shipments is necessary to enable state and local officials to carry out their responsibilities. The prevailing division of responsibilities in most states is not conducive to making evaculation decisions in a timely and informed manner. It is also noted that emergency response facilities need to be spaced closer together along transportation routes, and that it is not wise to rely on federal regional response teams as substitutes for local capabilities. (JMT)

Emergency Evacuation Management Requirements and Concepts

Abstract: : FEMA planning guidance, emergency organization plans and operations, other research studies, and recent disaster events were analyzed to determine management requirements, procedures and limitations. Several tasks were involved: Present emergency management capabilities were investigated to determine the status of organizations, hazard conditions, and plans and operations; Emergency evacuation operations were analyzed at host area, risk area and state and federal levels; Management requirements were determined for the various jurisdiction levels during the basic, movement and maintenance phases of emergency evacuation; Emergency evacuation management requirements were compared to capabilities and deficiencies were noted; Recent major disaster events involving actual or potential evacuations were analyzed to learn differences between doctrine and practice; Field tests were conducted with local government officials to explore and validate research findings, and to test the applicability of the Guide; A middle management center concept for large-scale emergency evacuations was developed and related to requirements. The feasibility of implementing the concept was explored. Results of the analyses and field tests were evaluated and are incorporated in this final report.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness and Response: the Three Mile Island Incident

Abstract: This paper discusses the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's emergency response mechanism and legal basis in being at the time of the TMI incident. It recounts the sequence of events as they directly affected the Agency and the method whereby the Agency discharged its responsibilities. Finally, some of the problems and experiences accruing from TMI are listed as lessons learned.

Local Government Disaster Protection.

Abstract: : This report represents the results of an examination of local emergency management organizational arrangements and the development of a process by which local governments can organize for emergency management. A fundamental conclusion was that a single organizational arrangement which is optimal for all communities does not exist. The project aimed to provide information to local government officials so that they could systematically develop the emergency management organizational structure which is optimal for their particular requirements and environment. A set of organizational characteristics were identified as contributing to an effective emergency management organizational structure and a process was developed by which local government officials could incorporate these characteristics into their own organizational arrangement. General Conclusions: (1) Local government officials need guidance in reviewing current emergency management organizational structures and developing new structures; (2) Each unit of local government must develop the organization which is appropriate for its particular situation; (3) In general, local governments are apathetic concerning emergency preparedness; (4) Local government officials must be motivated to use review and planning materials; (5)Community officals face financial and political risks if they do not maintain a strong emergency management program; and (6) Emergency management organization planning materials must be especially prepared for use by local government administrators and other municipal personnel. (Author)

A Review of National Security-Emergency Preparedness Telecommunications Policy.

Abstract: : Reviews domestic telecommunications policy and technologies that support emergency communications Analyzes national security, emergency preparedness, NS/EP telecommunications objectives and derives technical and non-technical attributes of NS/EP telecommunications capability Examines implications of recent policy and regulatory developments regarding US telecommunications

Community planning for disaster relief.

Abstract: In Disastem 5(1), 77 (1981), a note is included by Julia Verny on the ‘Thinness Chart.’ In this, she mentions that the arm circumference is not a useful measurement because it requires accurate measuring and cannot be undertaken by auxiliaries, etc. This is just not the case. Various adaptations of the arm tape have been made, such as the quipu (Jelliffe and Jelliffe ,1975) and the tri-colour arm band of Shakir and Morley (1974). This method of assessment has the great advantage of cheapness, portability and can easily be undertaken by village level workers, including mothers and older children. There tends quite often to be unnecessary schisms into different groups who see one particular method as the method. This is not so. The weight-for-age serially recorded on a growth chart is universally regarded as useful in the surveillance of young children. Also, surveys collecting weight-for-age alone can give useful insights, but which can be refined with very practical value by the use of the Waterlow classification (1979). Similarly, the Thinness Chart is an imaginative advance. It is a very valuable, helpful and ingenious tool. It has, however, disadvantages in that it is necessarily static and relatively expensive. A tri-colored armband, by contrast, costs almost nothing and can be carried around from home to home by community health workers to categorize young children, including those found in refugee camps. Each of these apparatuses and techniques has advantages and limitations. The most appropriate (alone or in combination) needs selection for the particular local circumstances and needs.