Showing papers on "Emergency management published in 2001"
TL;DR: In this article, a generic model for analysing and developing tourism disaster management strategies is presented, along with a set of prerequisites and principles of effective tourism disasters management planning, as well as a review of the existing literature in the field.
949 citations
TL;DR: It is argued that also natural disasters are socially constructed and, therefore, the framework in which disaster management has to be placed is resets.
Abstract: Literature on natural risks typically examines either biophysical process characteristics or human pre‐ or post‐disaster activities. This paper takes a somewhat different track; first, it argues that also natural disasters are socially constructed and, therefore, second, it resets the framework in which disaster management has to be placed. While most researchers usually focus on risk assessment it is suggested that the concept of vulnerability can provide a vehicle to explore a contextual approach to the reduction of losses due to natural hazards. In a brief overview the conceptualization of vulnerability is presented. Since precise measurement of uncertainties and exact prediction of damages is hardly feasible, a conceptual approach in vulnerability assessment is proposed. Qualities that determine potential damage are identified and characteristics described. It is suggested that, even without assessing risk exactly, vulnerability reduction decreases damages and losses.
392 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors refine a previously developed model for tourism disaster management plans (companion paper) by examining the case of the 1998 Australia Day flood at Katherine and provide valuable insights into the details of such a plan and the more enduring tourism impacts of disasters.
282 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the nature of disaster and the future of emergency management, and put forth a model of vulnerability and highlights the plethora of factors that contribute to calamitous events, and introduce the concept of invulnerable development as a method of vulnerability management.
Abstract: Discusses the nature of disaster and the future of emergency management. After exploring differing historical perspectives of disaster, puts forth a model of vulnerability and highlights the plethora of factors that contribute to calamitous events. Introduces the concept of invulnerable development as a method of vulnerability management and compares it to other terms that have been proposed as guides for future disaster policy. The central argument to be made is that vulnerability is, or should be, the key concept for disaster scholarship and reduction.
215 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the concept of decision support for improvisation in emergency management is proposed based on the paradigm of operational risk management and is motivated by the observation that emergency response organizations must be prepared to improvise during response activities.
Abstract: Emergency response organisations are faced with complex, unpredictable events with the risk of catastrophic losses To assist emergency response organisations in responding to these events, new models must be developed and the traditional command and control structure of decision-making must be revised to accommodate greater flexibility and creativity by teams In this paper, we propose the concept of decision support for improvisation in emergency management The concept is based on the paradigm of operational risk management and is motivated by the observation that emergency response organisations must be prepared to improvise during response activities The process of emergency response in light of this new concept is first discussed and opportunities for supporting the process identified We conclude with a review of a project at the Port of Rotterdam, where we are currently assessing this new decision making approach for emergency management
193 citations
TL;DR: This issue of Disasters explores the roles of NGOs and other actors in disaster mitigation and preparedness and also reviews broad international trends in risk management and disaster prevention.
Abstract: This issue of Disasters explores the roles of NGOs and other actors in disaster mitigation and preparedness and also reviews broad international trends in risk management and disaster prevention. The need to address risk, and with that the motivation to improve disaster mitigation and preparedness, has tended to fall between the cracks of grander frameworks of development co-operation and humanitarian assistance. Despite the seemingly glaring need to reduce the horrific impact of floods, droughts and wars, disaster mitigation and preparedness have neither the allure of directly 'saving lives', nor of providing an 'escape from poverty'. There are, however, signs that risk management is becoming a mainstream concern. Factors such as the need to address factors that do not fit into traditional slots on the relief-development continuum, the rising economic costs of disasters and a growing acknowledgement that aid will never cover more than a small fraction of the costs of disasters are all leading to new approaches, priorities and institutional configurations. A realisation that dealing with risk and insecurity is a central part of how poor people develop their livelihood strategies has begun to position disaster mitigation and preparedness within many poverty alleviation agendas. A number of long-standing challenges remain; most of all, the complexities of maintaining the political will that is needed to ensure that risk management becomes more than a passing fad.
175 citations
TL;DR: This paper proposes a framework, an event-based approach to training, together with a number of team training strategies that may be applicable to EM, within the context of naturalistic decision making.
117 citations
TL;DR: The nature and extent of collaboration with government in disaster preparedness and mitigation issues varies greatly according to their roots, either in past confrontation and political struggles or traditional charity activities.
Abstract: The Philippines is very vulnerable to natural disasters because of its natural setting, as well as its socio-economic, political and environmental context--especially its widespread poverty. The Philippines has a well-established institutional and legal framework for disaster management, including built-in mechanisms for participation of the people and NGOs in decision-making and programme implementation. The nature and extent of collaboration with government in disaster preparedness and mitigation issues varies greatly according to their roots, either in past confrontation and political struggles or traditional charity activities. The growing NGO involvement in disaster management has been influenced by this history. Some agencies work well with local government and there is an increasing trend for collaborative work in disaster mitigation and preparedness. Some NGOs, however, retain critical positions. These organisations tend to engage more in advocacy and legal support for communities facing increased risk because of development projects and environmental destruction. Entry points into disaster mitigation and preparedness vary as well. Development-oriented agencies are drawn into these issues when the community members with whom they work face disaster. Relief organisations, too, realise the need for community mobilisation, and are thus drawn towards development roles.
112 citations
TL;DR: A generic architecture embodying the knowledge pieces required to manage emergencies in different kinds of problem scenarios is described, and simulation models of the physical system, integrated as part of the knowledge architecture, are claimed to be adequate.
Abstract: This paper proposes the use of advanced knowledge models to support environmental emergency management as an adequate response to the current needs and technology. A generic architecture embodying the knowledge pieces required to manage emergencies in different kinds of problem scenarios is described. Simulation models of the physical system, integrated as part of the knowledge architecture, are also claimed to be adequate, both from the point of view of the knowledge model calibration and the training of the emergency personnel as well. The feasibility of the approach has been demonstrated with the application of the generic model to a particular real world problem: the management of flood emergencies in the Jucar river basin area (Spain). This work was developed in the framework of ARTEMIS, a European Commission research project.
106 citations
TL;DR: The Hurricane Disaster Risk Index (HDRI) as mentioned in this paper is a composite index developed to compare the risk of hurricane disaster in U.S. coastal counties, similar to a quality of life index.
Abstract: This paper describes the Hurricane Disaster Risk Index (HDRI), a composite index developed to compare the risk of hurricane disaster in U.S. coastal counties. Analogous to a quality of life index, the HDRI was developed to be an easily understandable tool that can be used to compare the relative risk of economic and life loss in different coastal counties in the United States, and to compare the different relative contributions of various factors, e.g., frequency of hurricanes and quality of emergency evacuation plan. The HDRI is specifically intended to support local, state, and national government agencies as they (1) make resource allocation decisions; (2) make high-level planning decisions; and (3) raise public awareness of hurricane risk, its causes, and ways to manage it. This paper discusses the intended uses and background of the HDRI, the procedure used to develop it, and an analysis of 15 sample counties.
98 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors develop a framework for analyzing the fiscal and functional aspects of disaster policy, using established theories of intergovernmental relations to offer a rationale for examining the capabilities required to implement disaster policy and the behavioral incentives that drive policy formulation.
Abstract: Emergency management is a complex policy subsystem that involves an intergovernmental, multiphased effort to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This article develops a framework for analyzing the fiscal and functional aspects of disaster policy. It uses established theories of intergovernmental relations to offer a rationale for examining the capabilities required to implement disaster policy and the behavioral incentives that drive policy formulation. In particular, the article identifies the extent to which the capabilities and political objectives characteristic of each level of government are aligned, and illustrates the interplay between incentives and competencies by reviewing the federal disaster funding process. The current rules for federal budgeting may inappropriately promote spending on disaster response and recovery, while de-emphasizing mitigation and preparedness. Various proposals for reform could establish more coherent incentives, making disaster spending more consistent with the relative functional capabilities of the various levels of government.
Book•
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: Crisis management: micro-macro issues -group and intergroup crisis management macro issues -organizational crisis management micro issues -environmental and health emergency management macro and micro issues on conceptual, policy, practical, and empirical aspects of emergency management.
Abstract: Crisis management: micro-macro issues - group and intergroup crisis management macro issues - organizational crisis management macro issues - political, economic and social crisis management. Emergency management - micro and macro issues:environmental and health emergency management macro and micro issues on conceptual, policy, practical, and empirical aspects of emergency management. National and international case studies on crisis and emergency management: crisis and emergencymanagement in the North/Central/Latin Americas crisis and emergency management in Europe (Western and Eastern) and Australia crisis and emergency management in the Near/Middle East terrorism and crisis/emergency long-term strategic plans forprevention and preparedness of crisis and emergencies.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Godschalk et al. as mentioned in this paper focus on the 1988 Stafford Act which sets the basis for providing federal assistance following a presidential declaration of disaster, and propose two types of mitigation: structural and non-structural, which uses land use planning and regulatory controls to direct new development away from known hazardous locations.
Abstract: Natural Hazard Mitigation: Recasting Disaster Policy and Planning, D. R. Godschalk, T. Beatley, P. Berke, D. J. Brower, E. J. Kaiser, C. C. Bohl and R. M. Goebel, Washington, DC, Island Press, 1999, xvi + 575 pp., US$45.00Some of the most vociferous critics of proactive measures to tackle global warming are based in the United States of America. Interestingly, the east coast of America is one of the areas most susceptible to the combined impact of post ice age coastal submergence, and the effects of global warming: rising sea levels and greater volatility of weather systems. When this is compounded by moral hazard from legislation guaranteeing flood damage insurance to purchasers of developments in coastal flood zones, it falls to planners to rescue some form of sensible strategic purpose in addressing such threats.Godschalk et al., planners from the universities of North Carolina and Virginia, demonstrate the important contribution the profession can make to a subject area which has traditionally been driven by pre-event civil engineering and post-event emergency relief considerations. They focus in Natural Hazard Mitigation on the 1988 Stafford Act which sets the basis for providing federal assistance following a presidential declaration of disaster. This Act attempts to tie a greater part of the federal aid disbursed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) into state and municipal preevent natural hazard mitigation, rewarding the communities which show foresight in anticipating and taking steps to ameliorate such risks.Between the enactment of this legislation and May 1996, when their research was completed, 295 presidential declarations of disaster were made resulting in disaster relief expenditures of more than $12.6 billion. Over 80 per cent of this funding was directed towards natural events: hurricanes, coastal storms, riverine flooding and earthquakes. Federal funding often provides the bulk of assistance following a disaster, so making grants conditional on prior plans for hazard mitigation should help enforce congressional desires for anticipatory action in this field to lessen the rising burden of property losses. However, the research reporter here suggests that progress in this respect has been slow.The current expert consensus with regard to natural hazards has moved a long way from the belief that these are simply acts of God. Human actions are important in determining the vulnerability of social groups to natural hazards and anticipatory mitigation strategies can be both costeffective and provide the optimal long-term pathway for sustainable development. Two types of mitigation are advocated: structural, which involves hardening of facilities; and non-structural, which uses land use planning and regulatory controls to direct new development away from known hazardous locations. The latter embraces the maintenance of the natural environment by protecting features such as sand dimes, wetlands and forested and vegetated areas along with other ecological elements that absorb and reduce the impact of natural hazards on a community. …
TL;DR: The analysis of direct, secondary and indirect effects of the Kobe earthquake suggests to substitute the concept of chain of losses and failures to the simple couple hazardous event-damages which is currently used.
TL;DR: In New York City, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was developed to coordinate communications and direct resources in the event of a mass disaster such as the one of 11 September 2001.
Abstract: As the largest, and one of the most eclectic, urban center in the United States, New York City felt the need to develop an Office of Emergency Management to coordinate communications and direct resources in the event of a mass disaster. Practice drills were then carried out to assess and improve disaster preparedness. The day of 11 September 2001 began with the unimaginable. As events unfolded, previous plans based on drills were found not to address the unique issues faced and new plans rapidly evolved out of necessity. Heroic actions were commonplace. Much can be learned from the events of 11 September 2001. Natural and unnatural disasters will happen again, so it is critical that these lessons be learned. Proper preparation will undoubtedly save lives and resources.
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of semi-structured in-depth interviews with key personnel from agencies responsible for emergency management and water supply; their jurisdictions ranged from urban to rural and local to regional.
Abstract: Unrelenting pressure on limited surface water supplies requires increasingly sophisticated water management approaches. Climate forecasts of seasonal precipitation and temperature are potentially useful, but the operational water management community currently underutilizes them. However, some agencies in Arizona took unprecedented advantage of forecasts for a potentially wet winter during the 1997–1998 El Nino event. This study investigates use of this information through a series of semi-structured in-depth interviews with key personnel from agencies responsible for emergency management and water supply; their jurisdictions ranged from urban to rural and local to regional. Interviews investigated information acquisition, interpretation, and incorporation into specific decisions and actions. While unprecedented actions were taken by some water management agencies and no agencies implemented inappropriate measures, some missed opportunities for more effective response, primarily through inaction. This study reveals a variety of technical factors and institutional characteristics affecting forecast use. Study findings emphasize the need for: (a) closer ongoing relationships between forecast producers and users, (b) increased institutional flexibility to exploit the increasing skill of seasonal climate forecasts, (c) demonstration projects of effective forecast use, and (d) a regional forum to facilitate information transfer between the hydro-climatic research community and operational water managers.
TL;DR: This paper outlines a novel, low-fidelity training intervention, the tactical decision game (TDG), which is designed to enhance the non-technical skills required for emergency management, particularly when dealing with hazardous materials.
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: Much can be learned from the events of 11 September 2001, so it is critical that these lessons are learned and proper preparation will undoubtedly save lives and resources.
Abstract: As the largest, and one of the most eclectic, urban center in the United States, New York City felt the need to develop an Office of Emergency Management to coordinate communications and direct resources in the event of a mass disaster. Practice drills were then carried out to assess and improve disaster preparedness. The day of 11 September 2001 began with the unimaginable. As events unfolded, previous plans based on drills were found not to address the unique issues faced and new plans rapidly evolved out of necessity. Heroic actions were commonplace. Much can be learned from the events of 11 September 2001. Natural and unnatural disasters will happen again, so it is critical that these lessons be learned. Proper preparation will undoubtedly save lives and resources.
TL;DR: This discussion identifies and analyses the challenging issues faced in linking two technologies: simulation modelling and GIS, to design spatial decision‐support systems for evacuation planing.
Abstract: Computer‐aided decision‐support tools are part and parcel of the emergency planning and management process today. Much is dependent on using modern technology to gather and analyse data on damage assessment, meteorology, demography, etc. and provide decision support for prevention/mitigation, response and recovery. Diverse technologies are merged to provide useful functions to aid the emergency planner/manager. Complexities arise when attempting to link several streams of technology to achieve a realistic, usable and reliable decision‐support tool. This discussion identifies and analyses the challenging issues faced in linking two technologies: simulation modelling and GIS, to design spatial decision‐support systems for evacuation planing. Experiences in designing CEMPS, a prototype designed for area evacuation planning, are drawn on to discuss relevant managerial, behavioural, processual and technical issues. Focus is placed on modelling evacuee behaviour, generating realistic scenarios, validation, logistics, etc. while also investigating future trends and developments.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the process of professionalization in the United States and Florida and explore how emergency management organizations are modifying in order to develop the capacity to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against disaster events more effectively.
Book•
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors propose protection ou partenariat : le renforcement des capacites locales lors des crises humanitaires (POPO) for the French language.
Abstract: Library has French version: Protection ou partenariat : le renforcement des capacites locales lors des crises humanitaires
TL;DR: Schools are ill prepared to care for this acuity of student or staff as assessed by equipment and emergency training, however, schools in smaller communities are better prepared for emergencies.
Abstract: ObjectiveTo study emergency preparedness in public schools in a rural state.MethodQuestionnaires were mailed to school nurses registered with the State Department of Education. Data collected included school nurse and staff training, school location, emergency equipment available, and Emergency Medi
TL;DR: The attack on the World Trade Center, and the impact it may have on rescue, prehospital, and healthcare workers, should urge us to incorporate critical incident stress management into disaster management plans.
Abstract: Healthcare and prehospital workers involved in disaster response are susceptible to a variety of stress-related psychological and physical sequelae. Critical incident stress management, of which critical incident stress debriefing is a component, can mitigate the response to these stressors. Critical incident stress debriefing is a peer-driven, therapist-guided, structured, group intervention designed to accelerate the recovery of personnel. The attack on the World Trade Center, and the impact it may have on rescue, prehospital, and healthcare workers, should urge us to incorporate critical incident stress management into disaster management plans.
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: In this paper, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) provided funds for this study as part of that objective but the views and opinions expressed are those of the author alone.
Abstract: Funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID): ESCOR award no. R7893. DFID supports policies, programmes and projects to promote international development. DFID provided funds for this study as part of that objective but the views and opinions expressed are those of the author alone.
Book•
01 Jan 2001
TL;DR: In this article, the effectiveness of GIS in disaster management is discussed, and the authors argue that GIS provides a means to get out of the way of Mother Nature's way and soften the blows and not to conquer her.
Abstract: Earthquakes bring down cities, wildfires ravage millions of acres of land, floods wash away homes and lives, volcanoes devastate towns and villages, hurricanes road down populous coasts, and tornadoes rip mile-wide paths up and down the countryside. Mother nature does what she does, and in the face of her fury, a comprehensive and effective system of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery seems an unlikely possibility. Geographic information systems provide a means to get out of Mother Nature's way and soften the blows and not a means to conquer her. This book details the effectiveness of GIS in disaster management.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine recent experience with flood warnings in the UK and continental Europe and combine this experience with an overview of the relevant literature to identify lessons for incorporation into policy, and problem areas which would most obviously benefit from additional research.
TL;DR: ENEA's next step towards the development of Intelligent Decision Support Systems (IDSS) for large-scale industrial and territorial emergencies is presented and the obtained results confirm the IPK conceptualisation hypothesis and provide a concrete technological experience for the next step toward high-intelligent DSSs for the management of emergencies.
Abstract: The paper presents ENEA's next step towards the development of Intelligent Decision Support Systems (IDSS) for large-scale industrial and territorial emergencies. The prototype IDA (Intelligent Decision Advisor) for emergency management in an oil port is analysed as a test case. The work was performed under the national R&D MICA project and specifically ENEA's long-term strategic MINDES Program synchronised with indications of the worldwide GEMINI (Global Emergency Management Information Network Initiative) of the G7 Committee. IDA is an approach in designing intelligent agent-based kernels of IDSS. In the frame of the generic TOGA (Top-down Object-based Goal-oriented Approach) model of abstract intelligent agents, IPK (Information, Preferences, Knowledge) architecture was employed. The specific IDA objectives were to develop and verify the properties of an information-managed agent and a knowledge managed agent, where the latter should suggest an action or plan after every new significant event in the emergency domain. The IDA functional kernel is composed of three simple agents a DirectAdvisor, which interacts with the human user and emergency domain, an InfoProvider, which manages information and intervention goals and an IDAPlanner, which plans adequate interventions. For the design, UML (Unified Modelling Language) has been employed. MDP (Markov Decision Process) and CBR (Case-Based Reasoning) are used for planning crisis management actions. Owing to a generic agent model and object-based conceptualisation, the IDA system should be adaptable to the different roles of emergency managers. The obtained results confirm the IPK conceptualisation hypothesis and provide a concrete technological experience for the next step towards high-intelligent DSSs for the management of emergencies.
15 Sep 2001-Philosophical transactions - Royal Society. Mathematical, physical and engineering sciences
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented the performance and features of the new facility and the results of the technical developments, and concluded that the design and manufacturing techniques of a large actuator system were successfully achieved.
Abstract: In 1995 the great Hanshin–Awaji earthquake disaster occurred in the Japanese city of Kobe and its vicinity, and more than 6000 people were killed as a result of the collapse of buildings. This was a clear demonstration of how very strong ground motion in the area near a seismic fault can cause severe structural damage beyond that which is usually estimated. It also emphasized the importance of earthquake engineering research in solving such problems as why and how structures collapse in real conditions. In response to this disaster, the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) and the Science and Technology Agency of the Japanese Government (STA) planned to build a three–dimensional, full–scale, earthquake–testing facility as one of the core research facilities for earthquake disaster prevention. It is hoped to be able to carry large–scale structures and to simulate the process of dynamic collapse using three–dimensional, strong earthquake motion. For this purpose, the NIED and the STA began to develop large actuators and related components in 1995 and completed them in 1998. Through this development and testing, the design and manufacturing techniques of a large actuator system were successfully achieved. After that, the NIED and the STA began the design and construction of the new facility in the fiscal year of 1998. The construction work is now in progress in Miki City, near Kobe, Japan. It is scheduled to be completed by the beginning of 2005. In this paper, we summarize the performance and features of this new facility and the results of the technical developments.
TL;DR: Despite progress, neither NGOs nor governmental agencies have clearly defined roles in the effort to link disaster management priorities, which will ensure that longer-term development efforts build on local capacities and reduce vulnerabilities.
Abstract: Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, affected by cyclones and floods, as well as chronic hazards such as arsenic poisoning. NGOs have played a major role in bringing concerns related to risk management on to the national agenda and promoting a shift of focus from mere relief response to disaster mitigation and preparedness. The government has, after earlier scepticism, now accepted NGOs as major partners in these tasks. Innovative approaches, such as the use of microfinance, have been applied; many of which are related to preserving the gains of development efforts as part of rehabilitation. NGOs have pressured for better co-ordination with government. Improved structures are now approved, but it is still too early to judge their impact. Despite progress, neither NGOs nor governmental agencies have clearly defined roles in the effort to link disaster management priorities. This will ensure that longer-term development efforts build on local capacities and reduce vulnerabilities.
TL;DR: Although most sites that were analyzed contained a large amount of news and explanatory content, as well as potential for user response, most did not show high scores in actual responsiveness to user or the other five dimensions of interactivity.
Abstract: Disaster relief home pages were content analyzed using a seven-dimensional conceptualization of interactivity. This study provides a theoretical exploration of the concept of interactivity and its potential contributions to the Internet as an increasingly interactive mass medium. It then applies interactivity to the development of disaster communication and tests that framework in the context of disaster relief home pages. Although most sites that were analyzed contained a large amount of news and explanatory content, as well as potential for user response, most did not show high scores in actual responsiveness to user or the other five dimensions of interactivity.