Showing papers on "Emergency management published in 1988"

Disaster crisis management: a summary of research findings

Abstract: The crisis management of disasters does not follow automatically from disaster planning. Research has shown that successful disaster management results primarily from the activities of emergency organizations. In particular, there are management problems with respect to the communication process, the exercise of authority, and the development of co-ordination. There are at least five different areas of difficulties in the communication process, namely, intra- and inter-organizational behaviours between organizations, from organizations to the public, from the public to organizations, and within systems of organizations. Exercise of authority difficulties stem from losses of higher echelon personnel because of over-work, conflict regarding authority over new disaster tasks, and clashes over organizational jurisdictional differences. Co-ordination difficulties come from lack of consensus among organizations, working on common but new disaster-related tasks, and difficulties in achieving overall co-ordination in any community disaster that is of any magnitude. Prior planning can limit these management difficulties but cannot completely eliminate all of them.

Emergency management of headache.

Abstract: Headache patients come to the emergency department for one of two reasons: either the headache is the most recent in a seemingly endless series of similar headaches so that the patient arrives because of frustration, exhaustion or despair \"the last straw syndrome\"; or the headache is sufficiently different or sufficiently intense to alarm the patient \"the first or the worst syndrome\". The two syndromes differ in presentation, significance and management.

Community interventions for juvenile firesetters: a survey of two national programs.

Abstract: Twenty-nine local affiliates of two national organizations that sponsor community-based intervention programs for juvenile firesetters completed a 32-item survey on the characteristics of the populations served, the services provided, program operations, and obstacles to service delivery. Sixteen programs that used the intervention approach developed by the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency were compared with 13 programs that used the approach developed by the National Firehawk Foundation. The comparisons revealed few significant differences between the two groups. Both types of programs emphasized detection and initial assessment of the firesetter and relied heavily on fire safety education as an intervention measure, although Firehawk programs offered a service that matched firesetters with volunteer fire fighters who serve as appropriate role models.

Local Preparedness for Chemical Accidents: A Survey of U.S. Communities

Abstract: The preliminary results of a survey designed to assess the state of emergency preparedness in communities across the United States aid in the development of a conceptual approach to emergency management. The approach identifies the relationships among existing emergency-management systems and prac tices and assesses their effectiveness in alerting and notifying the public. A comparison of data gleaned from a survey of emergency-preparedness officials permits comparison of existing public-alert and notification systems with state- of-the-art technology, procedures, and management systems. The study also addresses the potential problems and constraints likely to thwart timely effec tive warning in the advent of an emergency. Finally, the authors make recommendations for improving public-alert and notification systems in chemical emergencies.

Emergency medicine and the developing world

Abstract: The developing countries of the world represent a new environment in which to apply the unique expertise and knowledge of emergency medicine. With an understanding of the cultural, political and economic forces that affect health care in developing countries, American emergency physicians should consider collaboration with their counterparts in developing countries in such areas as prehospital care systems, trauma care, disaster management, poison information and management systems, and education related to clinical services, administration, and research methods in emergency medicine. Such collaboration can broaden the field of emergency medicine and fulfill individual humanitarian goals.

Disaster Relief: The Politics of Intergovernmental Relations

Abstract: This study examines the response of national, state and local government to three disasters experienced in New York State since 1974. This study attempts to discover in three particular circumstances how governments responded to the problems of disaster and how these governments responded to one another. A review of the governmental response offers an opportunity to examine the design and the development of disaster policy in the U.S.

Important changes in the emergency management of acute asthma in children.

Abstract: ogists, cosmetic surgeons and surgeons who are involved in breast surgery, inparticular,are all too awareof this. The review article by Magarey in this issue of theJournal(page 239) is further evidence of theimportanceof psychological factors within the surgical field. Magarey notes that the surgeon is in a unique position to provide psychologicalsupportbut that \"A substantialchange is needed in the training of doctors if they are to be comfortablewith the difficult issuesthat face patients with cancer\".Asher would have been disappointed that such a statement could have been written almost 20 years after hisdeath. In recent years, undergraduatetraining in medical schools in the psychological aspects of medicine has become more comprehensive and graduates of today have been exposed to a considerable number of hoursof psychiatric teaching on which they have been examined thoroughly.However, surgeons who received their undergraduate training over 20 years ago are unlikely to have had such an exposure to the practice of psychiatry and, therefore,may not have the basic building blocks at their disposal to handle psychological problems well. Nevertheless, many surgeons are aware intuitively of the problems of morale in their patients.At the present time, though, the only postgraduate training in psychologicalmatters that is usually received by surgical trainees is gained from seniors on the job, and this, of course, can vary enormouslyin quality and usefulness. Magarey discusses the need for surgeons to have counselling skills when dealing with cancer patients.This need isundisputedand is clearly essential for good patientmanagement, but of equal importance is the ability of the surgeon to identify treatablepsychiatric illness and refer these patientsfor further assessment. Adramatic example of this was the thin woman with benign breast lumps who was referred recently to the Weight Disorder Unit at Flinders Medical Centre for the assessment of her anorexianervosa. Previously, she had been seen by the surgeon who had referred her to the Weight Disorder Unit; she had requested a mastectomy with the excuse that she wanted to prevent the possibility of cancer rather than expressing her real desire initially, which was to lose weight. Surgeonsneed to be aware of the many ways that psychiatric illness may present.Commonpresentationsinclude: anabnormaldistributionof pain or acomplaintof pain that seemsoverdetermined; non-compliance withtreatmentor regularly-missedappointments; a degree of disability that is greater thanmight be predicted from the amount of physiological impairment; and overt anger and hostility, depression or psychosis. A history of multiple past procedures should sound a warning bell for a surgeon, while behaviouralmanifestationsthat are related to chronic illness may affect the prognosisof patients so afflicted adversely unless early effective interventionoccurs. Psychosomaticillness is very common and is usually treatable. Most major hospitalsnow include psychiatric units and, in recent years, psychiatrists have become considerably more skilled in the treatmentof these disorders. Liaison with surgical units is becoming common and generally benefits both surgeons and psychiatrists in addition to their patients. This mode of working has an added educational effect for the surgeons in that it makes them more capable of handling the sort of hostilitythat Magarey notes is associated with an improvedprognosis in breast cancer. There is nodoubt that as technical aspects of surgery have advanced so theimportanceof an empathicrelationshipbetween surgeons and their patients has increased. Although the old surgical adage that states that the surgeon should never \"let skin come b tween thedoctorand adiagnosis\"still holds true generally, the surgeon nowadays spends more time discussing with his or her patients the possible diagnostic and therapeuticoptions for their illnesses. In the case of breast cancer these options are varied and it isclear that patients must have an activepart in the decision-making process.It is at this stage, inparticular,that surgeons are placed uniquely to detect any psychiatric disorders in patients,and, when appropriate,consultationby surgeons with psychiatric colleagues is likely to be helpful, especially if aparticular surgeonand a particular psychiatrist work together on a regular basis. Alternatives that may be effective include assessments by clinical psychologists, nursingstaff members and social workers with further psychiatric referral of patientswhen necessary. As Magarey states, many patients seek help outside the conventional medical fields andtum to meditationas well asother forms of self-help such asnaturopathyand a varietyof other typesof \"positive-thinking\"therapies. The helpful aspects of these activities normally should be encouraged and reinforced by the surgeon where they do notaffect thepatient'smanagement adversely, as it is clear that they are occupying a gap that conventional medicine leaves unfilled and may, in some cases, actually lead to a betterprognosis for the patient. The problem for surgeons is the reconciliation of their organicallytrained minds to these therapies which they probablysee as being, at worst,harmfuland,at best, a waste of time. The evidence from the literatureis that these typesof therapy can benefit patients,as long as the alternative treatment is not being practised by exploitative charlatanspurely for financial gain, which can usually be assessed fairly easily. Clearly, these approaches are best when used in tandem with understandingand sympathetic conventional surgical management. The place ofalternativemedicine in relation to traditional medicaltreatmentand practice and its increasing popularity is beginning to beaddressed.' Maddocks commented that alternative techniques are\"demandingof time, but perhaps time spent is the treatment'smost powerfulcomponent\",\"Surgeons who work with patients with cancer might findthat time that is spent listening to patients'anxieties is wellworth while. It is a great pity that the need for time to be spent with patients is not reflected in Medicare benefits payments. The article by Magarey raisesseveralchallengingissuesfor modem surgical practice. It is fascinating how the wheel has turned and how with improved technology it appearsthat to spend more time with patients in employing thedoctor'soldesttreatmentlistening may be beneficial in illnesses that have been thoughtpreviously to b purely organic.It is to be hopedthat these challenges are met and that, as was perhapsAsher'sgreatest wish, the business of \"talking sense\"prevails. PETER YELLOWLEES Staff Specialist Flinders MedicalCentre.Adelaide

Local Emergency Management Agencies: Research Findings On Their Progress And Problems In The Last Two Decades

Abstract: Now the world of emergency management is partly in the political world. As such, frequently decisions have to be made about a variety of matters such as the structure and functions of local emergency management agencies, about preparing for disasters, and about managing disasters. Whether the questions associated with such decisions have been answered or not, the decisions have to be made.

Food Crises, Crisis Response and Emergency Preparedness: The Sudan Case

Abstract: Food security problems should be seen as “normal” in and endemic to subsistence agricultural groups in semi-arid zones of developing countries. Natural, popular response mechanisms exist that address these problems when they are at “normal” levels. All response mechanisms in developing countries can be expected to be swamped in times of a major food emergency. During major crises international relief assistance will continue to play a crucial role. Attempts at imposing centralized, institutional social security systems that address the normal “pockets of need” syndrome will be extremely expensive, not self-sustaining, and prone to failure. In that these efforts may undermine natural response mechanisms and draw scarce resources away from more logical, decentralized relief agencies these efforts may prove dangerously counter-productive.

Future Disasters In The United States: More And Worse

Abstract: As the saying goes, there is both good news and bad news. First, as to the good news. Our Center, as some of you know, has done considerable research for FEMA. Along some lines, our studies report rather good news. For example, in looking at local emergency management agencies—what in the past used to be mostly called local civil defense offices—we have found that they are much better and have better personnel that they once had. Across the country, their disaster preparedness planning, as a whole, has vastly improved over the last 15 years or so. This is the good news, especially if one looks from the past to the present.

Fire and Explosions at Rocket Fuel Plant, Henderson, Nevada [May 4, 1988]

Abstract: Emergency management/Emergency preparedness; Emergency management/Emergency response; Infrastructure protection/Chemical industry and hazardous materials; Infrastructure protection/Buildings; Emergency management/Public safety

A map multilevel system as a man-machine interface for emergencies management

Abstract: In order to create a valuable man-machine interface for the interactive emergency management systems we are developing in our laboratory a “new” paradigm, that of hypermaps or multilevel maps which is presented in this paper. Within this concept the user interaction with the emergency system is supported by a set of linked maps spanning from a very high level, like an overview map of the area under threat, down to a very low level like detailed technical drawings of the machinery concerned. A rich network of navigation routes is allowed by the HyperMap system permitting rapid changes in the conceptual levels of the problem solving task. The map support system permits, within each level, access to a variety of active tasks such as local expert systems, data bases of various kinds and simulators. This interface is designed for an emergency management system called ChEM (Chemical Emergency Manager), developed at JRC.

Criteria for preparation and evaluation of radiological emergency response plans and preparedness in support of nuclear power plants: Criteria for utility offsite planning and preparedness: Final report

Abstract: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have added a supplement to NUREG-0654/FEMA-REP-1, Rev. 1 that provides guidance for the development, review, and evaluation of utility offsite radiological emergency response planning and preparedness for those situations in which state and/or local governments decline to participate in emergency planning. While this guidance primarily applies to plants that do not have full-power operating licenses, it does have relevance to operating nuclear power plants.

An analytic approach to planning the response to technological disasters

Abstract: Major natural or accidental catastrophes are perhaps the most unstructured processes with which organizations must deal. Emergency management agen cies historically have been controlled by individuals who rely on experience in delivering the services they manage. However, the rapidly rising costs of emer gency services coupled with increasing constraints on all public budgets have forced many public managers to shift their attention from an exclusive focus on effectiveness to one that weighs efficiency as well. The authors develop a model to aid in planning responses to technological disasters such as releases of hazardous substances. They apply the model to chemical spills in New York Harbor.

Three Mile Island: A Selectively Annotated Bibliography

Abstract: Foreword Preface Accident Overviews, Sequence, and Causes International Commentary and Reaction Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Planning Health Effects Radioactive Releases and the Environment Accident Investigations/Commissions Nuclear Industry: Safety, Occupational, and Financial Issues Media and Communications Cleanup Sociopolitical Response and Commentary Restart Legal Ramifications Federal Documents: President's Commission on the Accident at Three Mile Island Federal Documents: Nuclear Regulatory Commission Federal Documents: United States Department of Energy Federal Documents: Miscellaneous Reports Pennsylvania State Documents Federal and State Hearings Popular Literature Proceedings Author Index Subject Index Government Document Number Index

Executive Order 12657: Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance in Emergency Preparedness Planning at Commercial Nuclear Power Plants

Abstract: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended (50 U.S.C. App. 2251 et seq.), the Disaster Relief Act of 1974, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1958, Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1973, and Section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code, and in order to ensure that plans and procedures are in place to respond to radiological emergencies at commercial nuclear power plants in operation or under construction, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Energy emergency preparedness

Abstract: Energy emergency preparedness is the special responsibility of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Energy Emergencies within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for International Affairs and Energy Emergencies; though other Department of Energy (DOE) offices manage some aspects and DOE also coordinates emergency management with other federal departments. There are two basic objectives for energy emergency preparedness. The first of these, the economic stabilization objective, seeks to ease the impact of an energy supply disruption by facilitating a quick recovery and minimizing the disruption's economic consequences. The second is the mobilization support objective to ensure that there is adequate energy and fuel to support defense, defense industrial and critical civilian needs for energy and fuel. While all energy systems are vulnerable they vary in the degree of seriousness and the probability of a disruption. Oil is the most vulnerable, and will become increasingly so in the 1990's, as domestic and reliable foreign sources diminish and the United States relies more on imports from volatile Persian Gulf countries. Electric power is the next most vulnerable system, being open particularly to multi-site terrorist attack. This overview examines two highly connected organizations: the Office of Energy Emergencies (OEE) itself and the actual responsemore » organization, centering on the Energy Emergency Management System (EEMS). 38 refs., 10 figs.« less

Thinking about the unthinkable: disaster management in the food industry

Abstract: A short review is given of recent, costly incidents, such as bacterial contamination, which involve product withdrawal, followed by the recommendation that companies should nominate an emergency co‐ordinator. The duties, authority level, and access to information of such a post are examined, and functions in the early stages of an emergency are discussed, emphasising the need to safeguard the consumers and maintain their goodwill. An exercise to simulate the financial implications of product recall and reimbursement is recommended.