Showing papers on "Natural disaster published in 1986"
TL;DR: The main finding, that the level of morbidity four months after the disaster remained almost unchanged at 29 months, indicates the long-term nature of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Abstract: The prevalence and longitudinal course of post-traumatic stress disorder were studied in a group of 459 firefighters who were exposed to the Ash Wednesday bushfires in South Australia. The main finding, that the level of morbidity four months after the disaster remained almost unchanged at 29 months, indicates the long-term nature of post-traumatic stress disorder. Twenty-nine months after the fire, 21% of the firefighters were continuing to experience imagery of the disaster, in a way that interfered with their lives. The failure of present disaster management plans to recognize the psychological impact of natural disasters and the long-term nature of post-traumatic stress disorder is emphasized, and the need for preventive mental health programmes to minimize such morbidity in the future is discussed.
95 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an uneasy compromise, with Earth scientists recognizing that public support requires that major efforts be made to forecast potential natural disasters, and the public becoming increasingly aware that probabilistic forecasts, though fraught with uncertainty, are useful in decision making.
Abstract: Forecasting natural events such as landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions is a difficult problem compounded by conflicting expectations. Society wants accurate warnings of these events, yet the scientific com munity is not able to provide forecasts as accurate as desired because these natural events are only partly understood. The present situation is an uneasy compromise, with Earth scientists recognizing that public support requires that major efforts be made to forecast potential natural disasters, and the public becoming increasingly aware that probabilistic forecasts though fraught with uncertainty-are useful in decision making. Effective forecasting of natural events that could have a major impact on society involves cooperation among three groups who are not always accustomed to working closely with one another: scientists, who are responsible for making the forecasts and for estimating their degree of uncertainty; public officials, who are responsible for the safety and welfare of their constituents; and the news media, who are responsible for accurate communication of information to the public. There is no way to win in a natural disaster; one can only hope to reduce the losses. Close cooperation among these three groups, with each understanding the different problems faced by the others, can lead to significant reductions in public risk. On the other hand, lack of trust, understanding, or cooperation can easily
48 citations
TL;DR: Most natural disasters that occur frequently may be classified into four main categories: floods, earthquakes, cyclones and famine as mentioned in this paper, and their mortality and morbidity effects are varied both between them and over time.
Abstract: Most natural disasters that occur frequently may be classified into four main categories: floods, earthquakes, cyclones and famine. Other catastrophic events, such as land slides, avalanches, snow storms, fires occur at rarer occasions and threaten smaller proportions of the populated world. The destructive agents in the above categories are wind, water (a lack or excess thereof) and tectonic force. While all of these cause structural damage, their mortality and morbidity effects are varied both between them and over time. The disaster cycle can be differentiated into five main phases, extending from one disaster to the next. The phases are: the warning phase indicating the possible occurrence of a catastrophe and the threat period during which the disaster is pending; the impact phase when the disaster strikes; the emergency phase when rescue, treatment and salvage activities commence; the rehabilitation phase when essential services are provided on a temporary basis; the reconstruction phase when a permanent return to normality is achieved. The disaster-induced mortality and morbidity differ between these phases and are also a function of the prevailing health and socioeconomic conditions of the affected community. As a result of this, global statistics on disasters seem to indicate a significantly higher frequency of natural disasters in the developing countries than in the industrialized world.
5 citations
01 Jan 1986
4 citations
TL;DR: A more broadly based interdisciplinary approach has developed which is seeking to minimize disaster losses as discussed by the authors, rather than focusing in great detail on the nature of the hazards themselves, emphasis has been placed on how individuals and society respond to risk and its associated disasters.
Abstract: As losses from man-made and natural disasters have increased, so too has the demand for greater safety. In the last twenty years, this growing public pressure has been associated with fundamental changes in the nature of hazard-related research. A more broadly based interdisciplinary approach has developed which is seeking to minimize disaster losses. Rather than focusing in great detail on the nature of the hazards themselves, emphasis has been placed on how individuals and society respond to risk and its associated disasters. This research has demonstrated that if losses are to be significantly reduced, a series of disaster planning activities must be widely implemented at the municipal level. The spatial distribution of risk must be established, for example, and used as a basis for planning land use. Greater cognizance must be paid to the improvement of safety through the better design of buildings and infrastructure. In addition, communities must simulate disasters and practice their strategi...
2 citations
TL;DR: An organizing framework of the long-term recovery process was developed, after studying first hand how 14 U.S. communities recovered from a major disaster as discussed by the authors, which depicts the dynamic processes that contribute to an efficient local recovery.
Abstract: An organizing framework of the long‐term recovery process was developed, after studying first hand how 14 U.S. communities recovered from a major disaster. The framework depicts the dynamic processes that contribute to an efficient local recovery, including the three key elements identified and the inter‐relationships among them. The three key elements are personal leadership, ability to act, and knowledge of what to do. Although only one of the disaster events investigated during the four‐year study period was a major damaging earthquake, the framework developed appears to be useful for understanding the aftermath of many types of natural disasters. Information about an effective recovery process should be factored into earthquake hazard mitigation and preparedness efforts because sooner or later, whether we are ready or not, we will be recovering from a major earthquake.
2 citations
01 Jan 1986
TL;DR: In this article, the authors focus on disaster preparedness and response policy, which is very important to protect the cultural heritage from natural disasters, and discuss the consequences of failing to articulate a policy and the elements that should be considered in developing such a policy.
Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on disaster preparedness and response policy, which is very important to protect the cultural heritage from natural disasters. A policy to deal with actions to be taken in time of disaster undergirds disaster management standards and practices. In developing a policy to deal with the protection of cultural resources in times of natural disaster, among the first questions that should be examined are those dealing with the probability and predictability of the occurrence of a natural disaster. The degree of predictability will, in part, dictate the disaster policy. In areas with a high degree of predictability for natural disaster, the policy should emphasize systemic solutions over specific actions that should be taken at the time of the disaster. In developing a policy for natural disasters preparedness and response, it is important to cooperate closely and extensively with local authorities. Museum professionals and cultural resources specialists should meet with public safety personnel as disaster preparedness plans are developed. Despite the recognition of natural disasters as an enemy of cultural resources, many public and private institutions have not yet adopted firm policies to prepare for or react to the effects of natural disasters on cultural resources. The chapter discusses the consequences of failing to articulate a policy and the elements that should be considered in developing such a policy.
2 citations
Dissertation•
01 Jan 1986
1 citations
TL;DR: Preventive strategies are described in successive chapters for earthquakes, tsunami, floods, mudflows and avalanches, and famine, and then in more general terms for various stages of any disaster emergency with particular regard to medical care and public health actions.
Abstract: Everywhere in the world potential exists for natural disasters: hurricanes on the Gulf coast, volcanic eruptions in Colombia, famine in the Sahel, tidal waves (tsunami) in Japan. Although the natural forces that generate such cataclysms are beyond human control, we can blunt their human effects by systems of preventive action through communication networks, community planning, and emergency response preparedness (evacuation plans, medical care, public health controls, and nutrition support). The purpose of this short book (160 pages) is to provide blueprints for such preventive action, described largely in the context of the author's extensive professional experiences, accumulated over the past four decades. Preventive strategies are described in successive chapters for earthquakes, tsunami, floods, mudflows and avalanches, and famine, and then in more general terms for various stages of any disaster emergency with particular regard to medical care and public health actions. The book also contains a chapter on traffic injuries,
1 citations
01 Jan 1986
TL;DR: FEMA is developing a coordinated national plan for response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness with respect to natural disasters as discussed by the authors, and the Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project is one example of such a step.
Abstract: Publisher Summary The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is developing a coordinated national plan for response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness with respect to natural disasters. The program features a partnership between potential impact victims and various levels of government. Cooperation between FEMA and managers of museums and historic properties may be expected to occur as part of this program's operation. The FEMA program provides for the mobilization of a broad spectrum of federal resources following a major disaster. Before the event and in the hours after a disaster, however, building owners must take steps to minimize losses. The Southern California Earthquake Preparedness Project, in which a partnership between national response activities and local pre-disaster preparation is the cornerstone, is one example of such a step. This chapter describes the FEMA concept, a national coordinated plan for response to man-made and natural disasters, and presents the principal FEMA programs in the area of natural disasters. An explanation of the national disaster assistance system will show how local, state, and federal officials work together in time of a major natural disaster.
1 citations
01 Jan 1986
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the necessity of planning to protect the cultural heritage from natural disasters such as floods, slow geological movements of the soil up, down, and sideways, earthquakes, frost, snow, high winds, driving rain, tornados, and hurricanes.
Abstract: Publisher Summary Prevention of decay or damage is the highest form of conservation. It is expected that by discussing the problems and submitting to friendly criticism, one will establish communication between each of the separate disciplines working in the field of conservation of historic architectural and museum projects. This chapter discusses some disasters—such as floods; slow geological movements of the soil up, down, and sideways; earthquakes; frost; snow; high winds; driving rain; tornados; and hurricanes—that cause immense damage to cultural property. It also discusses the necessity of planning to protect the cultural heritage from natural disaster. Administrative measures, such as town planning, are important in both the pre-disaster and recovery situations. However, reports on what actually happened during a disaster indicate that considerable improvements could be made in post-disaster operations, if there had been pre-disaster planning. The aim should be to establish communication and understanding between key people before the event. In planning terms, a disaster is also an opportunity to implement overdue changes and environmental improvements.
01 Jan 1986
TL;DR: In this article, the most important steps to minimize damage caused by natural disasters involve contingency planning and effective coordination, and the inventories of all monuments and works of art should be completed as soon as possible.
Abstract: Publisher Summary The entire region of Friuli Venezia-Giulia is subject to intense phenomena of compression with subsequent separation and displacement of large land masses. This chapter discusses that based on the problems encountered in the Friuli as a result of earthquakes, it appears that the most important steps to be taken to minimize damage caused by natural disasters involve contingency planning and effective coordination. It presents few recommendations for areas with a recurring history of natural disasters. On a local level, inventories of all monuments and works of art should be completed as soon as possible. A local natural disaster should be formed with a cultural property subcommittee. This local natural disaster committee should prepare contingency plans and should take steps to minimize delays in reacting to future natural disasters. On a national level, decisions must be taken in advance as to the types and quantity of personnel that will be required if a disaster strikes. On an international level, a committee or working group on natural disasters should be established with the sponsorship of one of the larger international organizations concerned with conservation.