Showing papers on "Emergency management published in 2011"

A Social Vulnerability Index for Disaster Management

Abstract: Social vulnerability refers to the socioeconomic and demographic factors that affect the resilience of communities. Studies have shown that in disaster events the socially vulnerable are more likely to be adversely affected, i.e. they are less likely to recover and more likely to die. Effectively addressing social vulnerability decreases both human suffering and the economic loss related to providing social services and public assistance after a disaster. This paper describes the development of a social vulnerability index (SVI), from 15 census variables at the census tract level, for use in emergency management. It also examines the potential value of the SVI by exploring the impact of Hurricane Katrina on local populations.

Harnessing the Crowdsourcing Power of Social Media for Disaster Relief

Abstract: This article briefly describes the advantages and disadvantages of crowdsourcing applications applied to disaster relief coordination. It also discusses several challenges that must be addressed to make crowdsourcing a useful tool that can effectively facilitate the relief progress in coordination, accuracy, and security.

Emergency knowledge management and social media technologies: A case study of the 2010 Haitian earthquake

Abstract: The US response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake was a large effort coordinated by three major agencies that worked in tandem with the Government of Haiti, the United Nations, and many countries from around the globe. Managing this response effort was a complex undertaking that relied extensively on knowledge management systems (KMS). For the first time, however, US government agencies employed social media technologies such as wikis and collaborative workspaces as the main knowledge sharing mechanisms. In this research we present a case study developed through action research of how these social media technologies were used, what influences they made on knowledge sharing, reuse, and decision-making, and how knowledge was effectively (and at times ineffectively) maintained in these systems. First-hand knowledge of the response is used, offering strategies for future deployment of social media and important research questions that remain regarding social media as knowledge management systems, particularly for disaster and emergency management.

Introduction to International Disaster Management

Abstract: Introduction to International Disaster Management, Third Edition, continues to serve as the leading comprehensive overview of global emergency management. This edition provides practitioners and students alike with a comprehensive understanding of the disaster management profession by utilizing a global perspective and including the different sources of risk and vulnerability, the systems that exist to manage hazard risk, and the many different stakeholders involved. This update examines the impact of many recent large-scale and catastrophic disaster events on countries and communities, as well as their influence on disaster risk reduction efforts worldwide. It also expands coverage of small-island developing states (SIDS) and explores the achievements of the United Nations Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) and the priorities for action in the Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction currently under development. This useful, relevant text includes many changes that have occurred since the last edition for a better understanding of the rapidly advancing field of international disaster management. * Includes updated perspectives on recent events that have shaped the direction emergency management is taking today* Examines outcomes of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) decade, such as insight into how disaster risk reduction has advanced globally, and how it differs among countries and regions* Updated statistics on disaster frequency and impact provide a better understanding about how and why risk and vulnerability are changing* Presents information on multilateral emergency management agreements as well as profiles of important NGOs and international organizations* Key terms and summaries are provided at the beginning of each chapter to ease student comprehension* Offers customized and updated instructor materials, including PowerPoint lecture slides, test banks, and a detailed instructor's guide

Experimental Results in Multi-UAV Coordination for Disaster Management and Civil Security Applications

Abstract: This paper describes a multi-UAV distributed decisional architecture developed in the framework of the AWARE Project together with a set of tests with real Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) to validate this approach in disaster management and civil security applications. The paper presents the different components of the AWARE platform and the scenario in which the multi-UAV missions were carried out. The missions described in this paper include surveillance with multiple UAVs, sensor deployment and fire threat confirmation. In order to avoid redundancies, instead of describing the operation of the full architecture for every mission, only non-overlapping aspects are highlighted in each one. Key issues in multi-UAV systems such as distributed task allocation, conflict resolution and plan refining are solved in the execution of the missions.

Integrating Social Media into Emergency-Preparedness Efforts

Abstract: Social media are changing the way people communicate both in their day-to-day lives and during disasters that threaten public health. Engaging with and using such media may help the emergency-management community to respond to disasters.

Social Media and Disasters: Current Uses, Future Options, and Policy Considerations

Abstract: This report summarizes how social media have been used by emergency management officials and agencies. It also examines the potential benefits, as well as the implications, of using social media in the context of emergencies and disasters.

An agent-based model for risk-based flood incident management

Abstract: Effective flood incident management (FIM) requires successful operation of complex, interacting human and technological systems. A dynamic agent-based model of FIM processes has been developed to provide new insights which can be used for policy analysis and other practical applications. The model integrates remotely sensed information on topography, buildings and road networks with empirical survey data to fit characteristics of specific communities. The multiagent simulation has been coupled with a hydrodynamic model to estimate the vulnerability of individuals to flooding under different storm surge conditions, defence breach scenarios, flood warning times and evacuation strategies. A case study in the coastal town of Towyn in the United Kingdom has demonstrated the capacity of the model to analyse the risks of flooding to people, support flood emergency planning and appraise the benefits of flood incident management measures.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency

Abstract: Following up our Octbber 26, 1984 meeting in your office, enclosed are copies of three ordinances from other western Washington counties which require that new construction be built one foot above the base flood elevation. As I mentioned, most western Washington comm~nities do make this requirement in their ordinances, and the enclosures are but a yr. sampling of these communities. Following are reasons why the one foot of freeboard is so importan~: .

A distance-based group decision-making methodology for multi-person multi-criteria emergency decision support

Abstract: In this paper, a distance-based group decision-making (GDM) methodology is proposed to solve unconventional multi-person multi-criteria emergency decision-making problems. In this model, some decision-makers are first identified to formulate a group decision-making framework. Then a standard multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) process is performed on specific decision-making problems and different decision results are obtained from different decision-makers. Finally, these different decision results are aggregated into a group consensus to support the final decision-making. For illustration and verification purposes, a numerical example and a practical unconventional emergency decision case are presented. Experimental results obtained demonstrate that the proposed distance-based multi-criteria GDM methodology can improve decision-making objectivity and emergency management effectiveness.

Collaborative Decision-Making in Emergency and Disaster Management

Abstract: Decision-making in emergencies requires non-traditional approach and tools characterized by non-hierarchical structure and flexibility. The dynamic environment of disasters makes it imperative to invest in inter-sector and inter-agency cooperation and coordination. Focusing on the Emergency Management Assistance Compact's (EMAC) response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, this article examines the decision-making structure of the agreement. EMAC is an inter-state mutual aid agreement that facilitates sharing of resources during and after disasters. While EMAC's overall decision-making performance was relatively satisfactory and flawless, investment in communication, trust-building, and eradication of inter-agency value differences and discrepancies is imperative.

TweetTracker: An Analysis Tool for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief.

Abstract: Social media is becoming popular as a key source of information on disasters and crisis situations. Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) respondents can gain valuable insights and situational awareness by monitoring social mediabased feeds. Specifically, the use of microblogs (i.e., Twitter) has been shown to provide new information not otherwise attainable. In this paper, we present a new application designed to help HADR relief organizations to track, analyze, and monitor tweets. The purpose of this tool is to help these first responders gain situational awareness immediately after a disaster or crisis. The tool is capable of monitoring and analyzing location and keyword specific Tweets with nearreal- time trending, data reduction, historical review, and integrated data mining tools. In this paper, we discuss the utility of this tool through a case study on tweets related to the Cholera crisis in Haiti.

Physical vulnerability assessment for alpine hazards: state of the art and future needs

Abstract: Mountain hazards such as landslides, floods and avalanches pose a serious threat to human lives and development and can cause considerable damage to lifelines, critical infrastructure, agricultural lands, housing, public and private infrastructure and assets. The assessment of the vulnerability of the built environment to these hazards is a topic that is growing in importance due to climate change impacts. A proper understanding of vulnerability will lead to more effective risk assessment, emergency management and to the development of mitigation and preparedness activities all of which are designed to reduce the loss of life and economic costs. In this study, we are reviewing existing methods for vulnerability assessment related to mountain hazards. By analysing the existing approaches, we identify difficulties in their implementation (data availability, time consumption) and differences between them regarding their scale, the consideration of the hazardous phenomenon and its properties, the consideration of important vulnerability indicators and the use of technology such as GIS and remote sensing. Finally, based on these observations, we identify the future needs in the field of vulnerability assessment that include the user-friendliness of the method, the selection of all the relevant indicators, the transferability of the method, the inclusion of information concerning the hazard itself, the use of technology (GIS) and the provision of products such as vulnerability maps and the consideration of the temporal pattern of vulnerability.

Social Vulnerability to Climate-Sensitive Hazards in the Southern United States

Abstract: The southern United States is no stranger to hazard and disaster events. Intense hurricanes, drought, flooding, and other climate-sensitive hazards are commonplace and have outnumbered similar events in other areas of the United States annually in both scale and magnitude by a ratio of almost 4:1 during the past 10 years. While losses from climate-sensitive hazards are forecast to increase in the coming years, not all of the populations residing within these hazard zones have the same capacity to prepare for, respond to, cope with, and rebound from disaster events. The identification of these vulnerable populations and their location relative to zones of known or probably future hazard exposure is necessary for the development and implementation of effective adaptation, mitigation, and emergency management strategies. This paper provides an approach to regional assessments of hazards vulnerability by describing and integrating hazard zone information on four climate-sensitive hazards with socioeco...

Social media use by government: from the routine to the critical

Abstract: Social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube) and other services with user-generated content have made a staggering amount of information (and misinformation) available. Government officials seek to leverage these resources to improve services and communication with citizens. Yet, the sheer volume of social data streams generates substantial noise that must be filtered. Nonetheless, potential exists to identify issues in real time, such that emergency management can monitor and respond to issues concerning public safety. By detecting meaningful patterns and trends in the stream of messages and information flow, events can be identified as spikes in activity, while meaning can be deciphered through changes in content. This paper presents findings from a pilot study we conducted between June and December 2010 with government officials in Arlington, Virginia (and the greater National Capitol Region around Washington, DC) with a view to understanding the use of social media by government officials as well as community organizations, businesses and the public. We are especially interested in understanding social media use in crisis situations (whether severe or fairly common, such as traffic or weather crises).

Emergency Management, Twitter, and Social Media Evangelism

Abstract: This paper considers how emergency response organizations utilize available social media technologies to communicate with the public in emergencies and to potentially collect valuable information using the public as sources of information on the ground. The authors discuss the use of public social media tools from the emergency management professional’s viewpoint with a particular focus on the use of Twitter. Limited research has investigated Twitter usage in crisis situations from an organizational perspective. This paper contributes to the understanding of organizational innovation, risk communication, and technology adoption by emergency management. An in-depth longitudinal case study of Public Information Officers (PIO) of the Los Angeles Fire Department highlights the importance of the information evangelist within emergency management organizations and details the challenges those organizations face engaging with social media and Twitter. This article provides insights into practices and challenges of new media implementation for crisis and risk management organizations.

Classifying text messages for the haiti earthquake

Abstract: In case of emergencies (e.g., earthquakes, flooding), rapid responses are needed in order to address victims’ requests for help. Social media used around crises involves self-organizing behavior that can produce accurate results, often in advance of official communications. This allows affected population to send tweets or text messages, and hence, make them heard. The ability to classify tweets and text messages automatically, together with the ability to deliver the relevant information to the appropriate personnel are essential for enabling the personnel to timely and efficiently work to address the most urgent needs, and to understand the emergency situation better. In this study, we developed a reusable information technology infrastructure, called Enhanced Messaging for the Emergency Response Sector (EMERSE), which classifies and aggregates tweets and text messages about the Haiti disaster relief so that non-governmental organizations, relief workers, people in Haiti, and their friends and families can easily access them.

Resilience thinking in health protection

Abstract: Background In recent years, the term ‘resilience’ has gained increasing currency in discussions of emergency preparedness. This review identifies key concepts and explores the relevance of resilience for disaster planning and public health protection. Methods A systematic review of literature on concepts of resilience, with a narrative summary of key relevant concepts for public health. Results The key concepts identified were community resilience, disaster resilience and social–ecological resilience. Community and disaster resilience describe a community’s intrinsic capacity to resist and recover from a disturbance, while the social–ecological interpretation stresses the importance of thresholds in a society’s capacity to adapt to crises. Important elements of resilience include communication, learning, adaptation, risk awareness and ‘social capital’. Conclusions These concepts have clear relevance for public health and emergency planning. Resilient communities should be less dependent on external help in times of disaster. Many features of resilience also encompass the wider social and economic determinants of public health. Difficulties remain in defining and measuring resilience in the population health context.

Information Needs of Communities: The Changing Media Landscape in a Broadband Age

Abstract: Report examining the changing face of media and its relevant policy and regulatory situation.

Accountability in Governance Networks: An Assessment of Public, Private, and Nonprofit Emergency Management Practices Following Hurricane Katrina

Abstract: What is the most effective framework for analyzing complex accountability challenges within governing networks? Recognizing the multiscale and intersector (public, private, and nonprofit) characteristics of these networks, an accountability model is advanced organized around democratic (elected representatives, citizens, and the legal system), market (owners and consumers), as well as administrative (bureaucratic, professional and collaborative) relationships. This concept draws from 2005 events following Hurricane Katrina. Multiple failures of governing networks to plan for and respond to Katrina include a breakdown in democratic, market, and administrative accountability as well as a pervasive confusion over trade-offs between accountability types emerging from crises. This essay offers several useful recommendations for emergency management planners as well as for those who teach and research.

Considerations and suggestions on improvement of communication network disaster countermeasures after the wenchuan earthquake

Abstract: This article, by analyzing the damage on the communication network caused by the Wenchuan Earthquake, and the priorities of the communication restoration construction, points out that in the future emphasis shall be laid on construction of the emergency communication capability by providing priority service functions for the public switched telephone network, and attaching importance to wireless communications. It also proposes the priorities of the post-disaster network planning and construction, as well as a study on the future-oriented disaster countermeasures of networks and technologies. An earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale struck Wenchuan County of Aba Prefecture of Sichuan Province at 2:28:04 pm of May 12, 2008. The terrible catastrophe posed an all-round test to China in terms of disaster management, a test not only on the emergency response capability of all government departments, but also on the abilities of the whole society and ordinary citizens to deal with a catastrophe. It especially put the emergency capability and fast response capability of the communication sector, the Life Line, to a severe test.

Crisis Management Competencies: The Case of Emergency Managers in the USA.

Abstract: This article seeks to clarify what competencies are needed in the response phase of true crises, and to make important distinctions among related but distinct concepts which are often blurred. That is, to what extent is crisis management, in which there is some degree of systems failure, related to emergency management, change management, and transformational leadership? How are these distinctions illustrated at a competency level? The findings indicate that senior emergency managers in administrative leadership positions do not abandon emergency management practices, but rather adapt them selectively. Change management is important, but it must be targeted and time sensitive. Crises are no time to reorganize adequately operating response systems, much less try to implement wholesale organizational changes. Finally, while some of the commonly associated features of transformational leadership do apply, such as self-confidence and decisiveness, others are conspicuously deemphasized, such as the ne...

Household response to cyclone and induced surge in coastal Bangladesh: coping strategies and explanatory variables

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to explore indigenous coping strategies and identify underlying demographic, socio-economic and other relevant variables that influence the adoption of coping strategies in three distinct cyclone-prone coastal villages of Bangladesh. The study finds that cyclones and induced surges are a recurrent phenomenon in coastal Bangladesh; hence people are used to adjusting their lifestyle and adopting their own coping strategies intelligently. Adoption of a particular set of coping strategies depends not only on the magnitude, intensity and potential impacts of the cyclone and induced surge, but also age, gender, social class, dissemination of early warning information, locational exposure, external assistance, social protection and informal risk sharing mechanisms within the community. Indigenous cyclone disaster prevention and mitigation strategies significantly minimize the vulnerability of the people. Under extreme situations, when such disasters surpass the shock-bearing capacity of the victims, informal risk sharing mechanisms through social bonding and social safety-nets become vital for short-term survival and long-term livelihood security. Therefore, proper monitoring and understanding of local indigenous coping strategies are essential in order to target the most vulnerable groups exposed to disasters. Additionally, proper dissemination of early warning and government and non-government partnerships for relief and rehabilitation activities should be prioritized to ensure pro-poor disaster management activities. The study also recommends effective monitoring of the impact of aid to ensure corrective measures to avoid the development of relief dependency by disaster victims.

Emergency Management, Twitter, and Social Media Evangelism

Abstract: This paper considers how emergency response organizations utilize available social media technologies to communicate with the public in emergencies and to potentially collect valuable information using the public as sources of information on the ground. The authors discuss the use of public social media tools from the emergency management professional’s viewpoint with a particular focus on the use of Twitter. Limited research has investigated Twitter usage in crisis situations from an organizational perspective. This paper contributes to the understanding of organizational innovation, risk communication, and technology adoption by emergency management. An in-depth longitudinal case study of Public Information Officers (PIO) of the Los Angeles Fire Department highlights the importance of the information evangelist within emergency management organizations and details the challenges those organizations face engaging with social media and Twitter. This article provides insights into practices and challenges of new media implementation for crisis and risk management organizations. The use of computer-mediated communication in times of emergency is gaining momentum and is the focus of much existing research. Social media allow users to generate content and to exchange information with groups of individuals and their social networks. First gaining attention in the aftermath of large-scale disasters such as the Banda Aceh Tsunami, networked, online conversations among the affected publics and onlookers offering help have been especially in focus during extreme events (Palen, Vieweg, Liu, & Hughes, 2009; Scaffidi, Myers, & Shaw, 2007; Majchrzak, Jarvenpaa, & Holingshead, 2007; Liu, Iacucci, & Meier, 2010; White, 2011). Twitter, the popular microblogging site, has gained particular attention DOI: 10.4018/jiscrm.2011100101 2 International Journal of Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, 3(4), 1-16, October-December 2011 Copyright © 2011, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited. due to its increasingly widespread adoption. A recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 19% of all Internet users share updates about themselves on Twitter or another similar service (Fox, Zickuhr, & Smith, 2009). While there is much media hype and excitement over the use of Twitter during times of emergency, researchers are just beginning to examine the value and logic behind its usage (Starbird, Palen, Hughes, & Vieweg, 2010). There are two primary streams of research investigating the use of social media in emergency response. One stream is concerned with how emergency management organizations use such technologies to coordinate in response to disaster as they conduct rescue activities (White, Plotnick, Kushman, Hiltz, & Turoff, 2009; Bharosa, Appelman, & de Bruin, 2007; van de Ven, van Rijk, Essens, & Frinking, 2008). The other stream is concerned with how those affected by disaster and those who volunteer to help utilize social media to locate information and to seek or provide support (Liu, Iacucci, & Meier, 2010; Hughes & Palen, 2009; Starbird & Palen, 2011; Sutton, Palen, & Shklovski, 2008). Few studies have considered how emergency response organizations utilize currently available technologies both to communicate with the public in emergencies and to potentially collect valuable information using the public as sources on the ground. In this paper we describe the use of social media from the emergency management professional’s viewpoint with a particular focus on the use of Twitter. As emergency management professionals add social media to the range of tools they use to communicate with the public in times of crisis, a critical investigation of how and why these tools are adopted is crucial: Adoption and implementation of technology requires allocation of precious time and resources. We argue that the public’s usage of Twitter differs from its usage by emergency management professionals in significant ways. We discuss these differences and focus on how and why officials in emergency response organizations responsible for communication with the public implement social media at the organizational level. We rely on conversations with emergency management professionals in New York City and Los Angeles and elaborate on an in-depth case study of the PIOs at the Los Angeles Fire Department and their use of Twitter and other

Institutional traps and vulnerability to changes in climate and flood regimes in Thailand

Abstract: Vulnerabilities to floods in Thailand are changing as a result of many factors. Formal and informal institutions help shape exposure, sensitivity and capacities to respond of individuals, social groups and social-ecological systems. In this paper we draw on several case studies of flood events and flood-affected communities to first assess how current practices reflect various laws, procedures, programs and policies for managing floods and disasters and then explore the implications for dealing with additional challenges posed by climate change. Our analysis identifies several institutional traps which need to be overcome if vulnerability is to be reduced, namely capture of agendas by technical elites, single-level or centralized concentration of capacities, organizational fragmentation and overemphasis on reactive crisis management. Possible responses are to expand public participation in managing risks, build adaptive capacities at multiple levels and link them, integrate flood disaster management and climate change adaptation into development planning, prioritize risk reduction for socially vulnerable groups and strengthen links between knowledge and practice. Responses like these could help reduce vulnerabilities under current climate and flood regimes, while also improving capacities to handle the future which every way that unfolds.

Planning for a bus-based evacuation

Abstract: Planning for a bus-based regional evacuation is essential for emergency preparedness, especially for regions threatened by hurricanes that have large numbers of transit-dependent people. While this difficult planning problem is a variant of the vehicle routing problem, it differs in some key aspects, including the objective and the network structure (e.g., capacitated shelters). This problem is not well studied. In this paper we introduce a model specifically designed for bus-based evacuation planning, along with two mathematical programming formulations, which are used to develop a heuristic algorithm. Using these models, we analyze the differences in the structural properties of optimal solutions between this problem and traditional vehicle routing problems.