Showing papers on "Emergency management published in 1983"
TL;DR: This study demonstrates a significant increase in four out of the five diseases studied following two hurricanes in the Dominican Republic, with the major impact of the increases coming several months after the disaster.
Abstract: Most recent studies of natural disasters have shown little increase in post-disaster infectious disease. The result has been a de-emphasis of the disease control portion of many disaster relief programs. This study demonstrates a significant increase in four out of the five diseases studied following two hurricanes in the Dominican Republic, with the major impact of the increases coming several months after the disaster. Posited reasons for the increase in infectious diseases are: (a) overcrowding of makeshift refugee centers with insufficient sanitary facilities, and (b) flood-caused water transmission of pathogens.
59 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The major conclusion is that a new theoretical foundation for emergency management is required which is rooted in a locally focused perspective which reflects an imagery of loosely coupled systems whose degrees of interdependency undergo episodic, but very temporary, change.
Abstract: Data are presented which depict the pattern of decision-making in seven emergent mulitorganizational networks (EMONS). These EMONS were the emergency response systems through which most search and rescue (SAR) activities were accomplished in one remote area mission and six natural disaster settings, including the 1979 Wichita Falls tornado, Hurricane Frederic (1979), and the eruption of Mount St. Helens (1980). Discussion of results focused on key structuring factors, i.e., why did these EMONS assume these particular shapes; performance implications; and policy implications. The major conclusion is that a new theoretical foundation for emergency management is required which is rooted in a locally focused perspective which reflects an imagery of loosely coupled systems whose degrees of interdependency undergo episodic, but very temporary, change.
21 citations
20 citations
TL;DR: Results demonstrate both the technical feasibility of incorporating microcomputers indecision support systems for radiological emergency response, and the acceptance of such systems by those public officials responsible for implementing the response plans.
Abstract: A microcomputer-based system was developed to provide local officials responsible for disaster management with assistance during the crucial period immediately following a disaster, a period when incorrect decisions could have an adverse impact on the surrounding community.
While the paper focuses on a potential disaster resulting from an accident at a commercial nuclear power generating facility, the system can be applied to other disastrous situations. Decisions involving evacuation, shelter and the deployment of resources must be made in response to floods, earthquakes, accidents in the transportation of hazardous materials, and hurricanes to name a few examples.
As a decision aid, the system was designed to enhance data display by presenting the data in the form of representations (i.e. road maps, evacuation routes, etc.) as well as in list or tabular form. The potential impact of the event (i.e. the release of radioactive material) was displayed in the form of a cloud, representing the dispersion of the radioactive material. In addition, an algorithm was developed to assist the manager in assigning response resources to demands.
The capability for modelling the impact of a disaster is discussed briefly, with reference to a system installed in the communities surrounding the Indian Point nuclear power plant in New York State.
Results demonstrate both the technical feasibility of incorporating microcomputers indecision support systems for radiological emergency response, and the acceptance of such systems by those public officials responsible for implementing the response plans.
12 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, a case study of two snow disasters affecting the same area within an extremely short interval is presented, where many learn-effects could be studied and many behavior patterns could be compared.
Abstract: This article is based on a case study of two snow disasters affecting the same area within an extremely short interval. Thus, many learn-effects could be studied and many behavior patterns could be compared. In this context only one behavior pattern will be presented. It is a behavior which is commonly said to be "jointly responsible." The types, modes, causes, and objective backgrounds of such a behavior will be discussed. The study's results are based on qualitative interviews of 2-3 hours with 40 professionals of the German disaster relief organizations, and on the analysis of documents (official reports, staff diaries, mass media, etc.). A questionnaire is in preparation and will be given to the population which was affected by the disaster.
11 citations
5 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The American Medical Association is called on to make a clear statement to the government that adequate preparation for a nuclear holocaust is impossible and that the medical problems would be awesome and without precedent.
Abstract: The issue of nuclear war and its medical consequences is discussed from a historical perspective. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has proposed a multi-billion dollar program designed to relocate the population over a period of several days to help residents find protection from lethal fallout. The American Medical Association is called on to make a clear statement to the government that adequate preparation for a nuclear holocaust is impossible and that the medical problems would be awesome and without precedent. Forty-seven references are included. (JMT)
4 citations
4 citations
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: The various levels within government, the voluntary agencies and the community which might benefit from training are defined and suggestions as to where the emphasis should be placed are made.
Abstract: This paper defines the various levels within government, the voluntary agencies and the community which might benefit from training and makes suggestions as to where the emphasis should be placed. It points out that training programmes should be designed to meet the expressed needs of a particular group of trainees as well as be related to the current or potential disaster situation.
TL;DR: Now that the basic framework of emergency medicine has been established, the American College of Emergency Physicians is implementing a nationwide training program on disaster planning and management for emergency physicians.
Abstract: SUMMARY
Accidents and sudden illness constitutes a major public health problem in many countries. Emergency medicine had developed as a vigorous new specialty in the U.S. and has fully integrated itself within the American medical and hospital system to provide improved emergency medical care. Emergency medicine plays a central role in disaster medical services, planning, and management and is the only specialty in American civilian medicine that includes disaster medicine as a primary field within its domain. Now that the basic framework of emergency medicine has been established, the American College of Emergency Physicians is implementing a nationwide training program on disaster planning and management for emergency physicians.
01 Jul 1983
TL;DR: In this article, the history, technology, economics, regulation and vulnerability to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects of cable television are examined, and recommendations are made concerning the integration of cable TV systems into the FEMA emergency communications system and the protection of cableTV systems for EMP effects.
Abstract: : The history, technology, economics, regulation and vulnerability to electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects of cable television are examined. Recommendations are made concerning FEMA integration of cable television systems into the FEMA emergency communications system and the protection of cable television systems for EMP effects. (Author)
01 Sep 1983
TL;DR: In this paper, the scientific and technological information needs, capabilities and resources of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were evaluated through a combination of approaches, which included: a review of prior research on the informational needs of emergency and disaster response agencies; case studies of selected previous disasters and emergencies; analyses of FEMA's mission and roles; surveys and interviews with selected FEMA staff regarding capabilities, practices and needs; and contacts with several other government agency and private sector resources involved in disaster responses.
Abstract: : The scientific and technological information needs, capabilities and resources of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were evaluated through a combination of approaches. These included: a review of prior research on the informational needs of emergency and disaster response agencies; case studies of selected previous disasters and emergencies; analyses of FEMA's mission and roles; surveys and interviews with selected FEMA staff regarding capabilities, practices and needs; and contacts with several other government agency and private sector resources involved in emergency and disaster responses. Several options are suggested for improving FEMA's scientific and technological information capabilities to meet its needs. These include: improving the presently existing system of personal contacts; improving directories of emergency and disaster response resources; developing a Science Resource Information System; developing a National Emergency Science Reserve; and preparing critical reviews of available information in selected areas.
TL;DR: The first steps toward formulating such a policy consisted of a set of studies conducted in 1974-1975 under the Energy Policy Project of the Ford Foundation (e.g., Brannon, 1975; Newman and Day, 1975).
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In the long run, a vigorous and scientifically informed program of risk mitigation will reduce substantially, as hoped, the need for relief and rehabilitation programs as discussed by the authors, and it is likely that policies involving direct relief for and rehabilitation of victims will figure prominently in the repertoire of federal disaster responses.
Abstract: Every year many lives are lost and much property is damaged by the ravages of natural hazards. There is some evidence, moreover, that the magnitude of these losses, especially to property, has increased substantially in constant dollars in recent years, mainly because economic growth has tended to concentrate more and more persons and property in high-risk areas (Cochrane, 1975; Dacy and Kunreuther, 1969; White and Haas, 1975). In addition, the past decade has produced several very-large-scale disaster events that imposed severe burdens on the public treasury for relief and rehabilitation, for example, Hurricane Agnes in 1973.1 Spurred by these rising costs and by other reasons, federal hazards policy has been shifting away from providing relief and fostering rehabilitation in the aftermath of disasters, and toward developing strategies that are aimed at mitigating hazard risks before disasters strike. Perhaps, in the long run, a vigorous and scientifically informed program of risk mitigation will reduce substantially, as hoped, the need for relief and rehabilitation programs. In the foreseeable future, however, it is likely that policies involving direct relief for and rehabilitation of victims will figure prominently in the repertoire of federal disaster responses.
01 May 1983
TL;DR: The On Track to Fire and Life Safety in Rail Rapid Transit Workshop as mentioned in this paper was held at the National Fire Academy in 1982 to identify the fire and life safety training needs for rail rapid transit systems and metropolitan fire departments serving the systems.
Abstract: This report presents a summary and the results of the successful workshop "On Track to Fire and Life Safety in Rail Rapid Transit," held on August 2-4, 1982, at Crystal City, Virginia. Sponsored by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA) and developed in conjuction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Fire Academy, the workshop represented the initial effort in a program to identify the fire and life safety training needs for rail rapid transit systems and metropolitan fire departments serving the systems. The audience included operational transit systems, systems currently under construction, and systems in the planning and design stage. Personnel from a total of 21 transit systems and 25 fire departments participated in the workshop. The primary objective of this 3-day workshop was to identify the fire and life safety training needs of the transit and fire service community. The workshop provided a forum for the cooperative information exchange on the fire and life safety concerns, and the needs and priorities of the transit and fire service community. The workshop participants worked to identify training needs in 4 areas, namely: prevention, detection, and notification; emergency evacuation; fire suppression and rescue; and emergency planning. Seven specific training needs are identified and recommendations for their implementation are discussed in this report. The appendices in this report provide a List of Workshop Attendees, Workshop Agenda, and Comments on Workshop Sessions. This workshop report also provides conclusions and recommendations regarding the fire and life safety training needs of the transit and fire service community.
10 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In this article, a coupled set of models between those of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC) system and candidate evacuation models is discussed.
Abstract: : A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sponsored project to develop a coupled set of models between those of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability (ARAC) system and candidate evacuation models is discussed herein. LLNL and Science Applications, Inc. (SAI), serve as contractor and subcontractor, respectively. This report describes the ARAC system and discusses the rapid computer code developed and the coupling with ARAC output. The computer code is adapted to the use of color graphics as a means to display and convey the dynamics of an emergency evacuation. The model is applied to a specific case of an emergency evacuation of individuals surrounding the Rancho Seco Nuclear Power Plant, located approximately 25 miles southeast of Sacramento, California. The graphics available to the model user for the Rancho Seco example are displayed and noted in detail. Suggestions for future, potential improvements to the emergency evacuation model are presented. (Author)
01 Jan 1983
TL;DR: In this paper, a method of developing stream cross-section rating curves is described for estimating future urban runoff estimates, and future runoff estimates are used in conjuction with the rating curves to develop an estimate of 50and 100year flood profiles that would result from future urban development.
Abstract: Flood insurance study information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is utilized to estimate future flood hazard in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Techniques are described for estimating future urban runoff estimates. A method of developing stream cross section rating curves is explained. Future runoff estimates are used in conjuction with the rating curves to develop an estimate of 50and 100year flood profiles that would result from future urban development.
01 Jan 1983