Here's the latest from DISASTER RESEARCH September 19, 1994 DISASTER RESEARCH 146 TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1) Moscow Mudflow Center 2) Examples of Mutual Aid Agreements 3) Request for SLAR Users 4) Quick Response Grant Program 5) Global Disaster Risk Management Network 6) Natural Hazards Awareness Day 7) EENET Schedule 8) Geophysical On-line Data Available 9) International Disaster Specialist Needed 10) Request for Qualifications 11) Courses Offered 12) Publications Available 13) Workshop Participants Sought 14) Call For Papers: TIEMEC '95 15) Call For Papers: Louisville '95 16) Meetings 1)---------- Moscow Mudflow Center DR145 had an announcement from E.S. Troshkina about a worldwide project to evaluate mudflows and avalanches. The International Landslide Research Group has volunteered to make a map for the United States, probably at 1:2,500,000 scale. They have enough data for debris flows but need someone to do the avalanche part. Anyone interested? Please reply to: ebrabb@isdmnl.wr.usgs.gov or by *Snail Mail* to: Earl Brabb, International Landslide Research Group, 3262 Ross Road, Palo Alto CA 94303, USA, Phone: (415) 329-5140, Fax: (415) 329-4936 2)---------- Examples of Mutual Aid Agreement Protocols Sought Harold Spangler, a resident physician in Emergency Medicine in North Carolina, is looking for information regarding mutual aid agreements between organizations that provide Emergency Medical Services. If anybody out in cyber-space could provide written protocols from their organization, it would be appreciated. Please respond to: Harold M. Spangler, M.D. using spangler@isnet.is.wfu.edu. 3)---------- Request for SLAR Users Jonathan King wants to know of anyone with experience or knowledge of using SLAR, or any other remote sensing technique, to penetrate a dense cover of bushes and small trees up to 10m high and identify 2m to 5m high landslide scarps. Any technical information or contacts would be gratefully received by Jonathan King, Planning Division, Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering Bldg., 101 Princess Margaret Road, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong. 4)---------- Natural Hazards Center Quick Response Grant Program The Natural Hazards Center is soliciting proposals for its Quick Response Program, which enables social scientists to conduct short-term field investigations immediately after a disaster strikes. The program provides preapproved researchers with nominal funding for travel and data collection (grants average between $1,000 and $3,000). In exchange, recipients submit reports of their findings, which are immediately published by the Natural Hazards Center. Researchers who wish to submit proposals for funding for the coming year should contact Mary Fran Myers, Project Manager, Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center, IBS #6, Campus Box 482, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309- 0482, Phone: (303) 492-2150, fax: (303) 492-2151, e-mail: myersmf@coloardo.edu. The deadline for proposals is October 15. 5)---------- Global Disaster Risk Management Network Announced A global network designed to improve national and international efforts to deal with natural disasters has been formed by the United Nations University in cooperation with Stanford University, the World Seismic Safety Initiative and the University of Tokyo's International Center for Disaster-Mitigation Engineering. Formation of the Global Network on Natural Disaster Risk Management (GLO-DISNET) was announced by Stanford professor of civil engineering Haresh C. Shah. The principal functions of the new network are to: 1) develop a general framework for global research and training programs involving natural disaster risk management; 2) bring together research related to natural disaster risk management in a single, international network; 3) increase interactions among risk management experts to promote related research and training, reduce overlap in research, promote comparative studies and facilitate international research efforts; 4) create a global database of relevant research findings that can be disseminated to interested offices in the United Nations and other organizations; and, 5) provide reliable, detailed information on effective environmental and risk management strategies to help reduce the impact of natural disasters. The network will pursue a holistic ecosystems approach to the research and training activities that it undertakes. A primary focus of its activities will be to help developing countries establish effective risk management programs for natural disasters. 6)---------- Natural Disaster Awareness Day October 12, 1994 In recognition of Natural Disaster Awareness Day, an "electronic field trip" will take place, targeted to children in fourth through eighth grades (ages 9-14). This "electronic field trip" involves two satellite broadcast components: 1) a 1/2-hour satellite broadcast from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., eastern time, on October 5, containing a pretaped orientation program; and, 2) a one-hour live, interactive satellite teleconference on October 12, to be broadcast from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., eastern time. The focus of the "electronic field trip" will be on how to prepare for and deal with various natural disaster events. The live, interactive "field trip" will consist of video information about natural disasters, and feature speakers from the United States Geological Survey (Ross Stein, Seismologist, USGS Menlo Park), NOAA/National Weather Service (Dr. Bob Sheets, Director/National Hurricane Center) and American Red Cross Disaster Services Preparedness (Dr. Rocky Lopes, Disaster Education Associate). Viewers will be provided a toll-free number to call during the broadcast to ask questions of the speakers. Both broadcasts will be aired on C-Band, Telstar 302 (85 degrees). Other technical information will be available upon registration with Fairfax County (VA) Office of Media Services. Printed material and a computer bulletin board for post- teleconference mentoring will also be available. Participation is free, but in order to receive the printed materials, interested viewers should register in advance by calling the Fairfax Network at 1-800-233-3277. 7)---------- EENET Schedule The Emergency Education Network (EENET) FEMA's satellite television training network, has announced its schedule for the remainder of 1994. EENET uses satellite technology to broadcast information on a variety of emergency management topics. During EENET broadcasts, viewers can phone the studio at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland, toll-free to discuss the subject of the broadcast. Eastern times are listed. Topics of interest include: Date and Eastern Time Title September 22 "FEMA Region VI Hazmat Workshop Summary" 2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. November 9 "The Community Responds to Disaster: 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. How FEMA Reaches Out" December 7 "Basic Public Information Officers 11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Course: Train-the-Trainer" EENET programs are broadcast on the satellite Galaxy 6, located 99 degrees west. The transponder will vary with each broadcast and will be either 1, 6, 7, 16, or 17. The downlink frequency may also vary. Audio frequency is 6.2/6.8 Mhz. All programs are in the public domain and have no rebroadcast or reproduction restrictions. Readers who would like to be placed on the EENET mailing list, obtain a receiver-site booklet, or received further information can contact the Emergency Education Network, National Emergency Training Center, 16825 South Seton Avenue, Emmitsburg, MD 21727, Phone (301) 447-1068, Fax: (301) 447-1363. 8)---------- Geophysical On-line Data Available Data and information relating to the geophysical and environmental sciences are available from the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) on the Internet using anonymous ftp, gopher, and Mosiac. While not all of the data are available on GOLD, new data and information are continually being added. Additional data access servers are planned for the future. Ftp Access: Host: ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov (numeric IP address 192.149.148.109, subject to change with future network improvements). From a computer connected to the Internet, ftp to any of the above addresses: 1) at the login prompt enter anonymous; 2) enter your email address for the password; 3) type ? for a list of commands; and, 4) type quit when ready to quit. Gopher clients can access NGDC's on-line system at gopher.ngdc.noaa.gov or through the master gopher server at the University of Minnesota as NOAA National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC). For information contact gopher@boombox.micro.umn.edu. >From Mosiac, choose open URL. The world wide web address of NGDC's Mosiac home page is: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/ngdc.html For more information on Mosiac, contact NCSA at mosiac@ncsa.uiuc.edu. Bulletin Board Access via Modem: Telephone: (303) 497-7319. The modem settings are: 1) standard preferred terminal emulations, VT100 or VT102; 2) 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit; 3) modem speeds at 300-14,400 bps autobaud detection, V.32; and 4) enter ONLINE. 9)---------- Job Openings in USAID/OFDA for INTERNATIONAL DISASTER SPECIALISTS Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Field representative with the OFDA Sudan program. A one year contract with possible one year renewal starting in December, 1994. Qualifications: Field experience in the Horn of Africa with international organizations, USG or private voluntary organizations in emergency relief, humanitarian assistance or project management. Strong writing and/or reporting skills required. BA or advance degree in international relations, economics, food policy or related subject. U.S. citizen. No accompanied dependents. Closing date: September 30. Team Leader for Northern Iraq. A one year PSC contract starting Spring, 1995. Qualifications: Field experience with international organizations, USG or private voluntary organizations in emergency relief, humanitarian assistance or project management with development and resettlement experience while working in civil strife situations. Strong writing and reporting skills required. BA or advance degree in international relations, economics, food policy or related subject. U.S. citizen. No accompanied dependents. Closing date: September 30. Field Representatives needed for 3 month to one year contracts in former Yugoslavia, Northern Iraq, West Africa and on the Rwanda Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). Qualifications: Field experience with international organizations, USG or private voluntary organizations in emergency relief, humanitarian assistance or project management while working in civil strife situations. Strong writing/reporting skills required. BA or advanced degree in international relations, economics, food policy or related subject. Rwanda DART also requires strong French language capability. No accompanied dependents. U.S. citizen. Send resume/SF 171 to: Gail Carlson, BHR/OFDA/OS, Room 1262 A NS, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20521-0008 or fax: 202-647-5269. 10)---------- Request for Qualifications The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) is planning to procure professional services for pilot testing the standardized earthquake loss estimation methodology being developed under a cooperative agreement between NIBS and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The pilot test will be conducted in the Portland, Oregon METRO region. Before submitting qualifications, interested organizations and individuals are required to obtain a description of submission requirements and a project scope of work. To receive this information, please send your request with your name, address and telephone number by fax to Philip Schneider at (202) 289-1092. Qualification submissions are due at NIBS by October 19, 1994. 11)---------- Courses Offered Emergency Planning for Chemical Spills will be held October 3-4, 1994 in Madison, Wisconsin. CONTACT: Michael Waxman, Department of Engineering Professional Development, University of Wisconsin- Madison, 432 North Lake Street, Madison, WI 53706, Phone: (800) 462-0876, Fax: (608) 263-3160. 24-Hour Workshop for Emergency Response Teams-Technician Level will be held November 2-4, 1994 in Madison, Wisconsin. CONTACT: Michael Waxman, Department of Engineering Professional Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 432 North Lake Street, Madison, WI 53706, Phone: (800) 462-0876, Fax: (608) 263- 3160. Reducing Earthquake Response Through Base Isolation will be held November 30 through December 2, 1994 in Buffalo New York. CONTACT: Doanls E. Baxa, Department of Engineering Professional Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 432 North Lake Street, Madison, WI 53706, Phone: (800) 462-0876, Fax: (608) 263- 3160. 12)---------- Publications Available The 1987 publication "Data Processing Facilities: Guidelines for Earthquake Hazard Mitigation" was a result of concern for Data Processing facilities and their vulnerability from earthquakes as well as many other surprise interruptions of power. The research on this project was sponsored by a committee of over 20 corporations, public utilities and government agencies. This one-of-a-kind manual is divided into nine technical sections, each chapter deals with issues such as information on earthquakes, risk variability across the U.S., applicability of current building codes, and how the probable motions of a site can be analyzed. Other chapters deal with seismic design considerations for buildings, support utilities, non-structural building elements, raised computer floors, computer equipment, tape and disk storage, and contingency planning. The final chapter discusses the impact of earthquakes on telecommunications and includes a helpful check-list for guidance. Send a check for (U.S.) $25.00 made payable to "VSP Associates" to: VSP Associates, 455 University Ave, Suite 340, Sacramento, CA 95825, Phone: (916) 648-9112, Fax: (916) 648-9131, e-mail: rolson@eerc.berkeley.edu "Preparing for an Uncertain Climate" is the 1993 report of the U.S. Congress' Office of Technology Assessment in response to the question of how the United States can best prepare for the uncertainties of global warming, sea level rise, and other impacts of a changing climate. Volume 1 addresses coastal areas, water resources, and agriculture; volume 2 includes wetlands, preserved lands, and forests. Over 100 recommendations are made for actions to help ease the transition to an uncertain climate, ranging from those that should be taken immediately to those that are less likely, long-term opportunities. Unlike most work so far on climate change, this one provides policy guidance for natural resource management and planning, and outlines reasonable options for mitigation and adaptation. Volume 1, 052-003-01356- 8, $23.00. Volume 2, 052-003-01357-6, $24.00. Order from the Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954, Phone: (202) 783-3238, Fax: (202) 512-2250. 13)---------- Workshop Participants Sought Workshop on Atlantic Hurricane Variability on Decadal Time Scales: Nature Causes and Socio-Economic Impacts. Miami, FL: February 7-8, 1995. Among the major topics to be discussed are the influence of the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), decadal-scale variability of SST in the tropical Atlantic (including the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico) and potential future changes in the hurricane environment resulting from anthropogenic climatic changes. Because of the great potential for hurricane-caused destruction of property and loss of life, the science of hurricane forecasting has always been intimately connected with natural disaster preparedness, and hurricane forecasters have a long history of working closely with emergency management authorities. Clearly, an increase in the frequency and/or intensity of these storms could have a tremendous impact on the socioeconomic life of the countries in the affected regions. It is important that the implications of future changes in hurricane activities, from whatever causes, be properly assessed. Topics to be discussed in this regard are: social and economic aspects of hurricanes in the context of climatic change; identification of regions-at-risk in the Caribbean and the Americas; and susceptibility of population-at-risk to a given event or sequence of events (i.e., vulnerability). Funds are expected to be available to support the participation of invited speakers. Please indicate your willingness to participate by contacting: Dr. Henry F. Diaz, NOAA/ERL/CDC, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303, Phone: (303) 497-6649, Fax: (303) 497-7013, e- mail: hfd@noaacdc.colorado.edu. 14)---------- Call for Papers: TIEMEC '95 In cooperation with The National Institute for Urban Search and Rescue, The International Emergency Management and Engineering Society [TIEMES] presents TIEMEC' 95: THE INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING CONFERENCE May 9-12, 1995 Nice, FRANCE. GLOBALIZATION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND ENGINEERING: National and International Issues Concerning Research and Applications. An interdisciplinary conference to bring together users, planners, researchers, managers, technicians, response personnel, and other interested parties to learn, teach, present, share and exchange ideas and information about how, when, where, and why information management tools can be used to avoid, mitigate, and recover from disasters and other emergencies. Typed abstracts are due October 1, 1994. Each abstract must include a working title for the paper and at least a 300 word summary. Authors will be notified of abstract acceptance by October 15, 1994. Full papers for review are due December 1, 1994. Authors will be notified of paper acceptance by January 15, 1995. Registration and camera-ready copy is due March 1, 1995. For additional information concerning the conference, contact: Jim Sullivan at 214/994-9522; email: gaa201@utdallas or either gaa201@utdallas.bitnet or gaa201@utdallas.edu (Internet) or Jean-Luc Wybo at (33) 9395 7575 (France); email wybo@cemef.cma.fr, Ecole des Mines de Paris, CEMEF, B.P. 207, 06904 Sophia Antipolis Cedex, France. Written submissions should be sent to: TIEMEC '95 c/o The International Emergency Management and Engineering Society, 9241 LBJ Freeway, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75243 Voice: (214) 994-9522, Fax: (214) 270-3014. 15)---------- Call for Papers: Louisville '95 Fire-Rescue International 95 will convene in Louisville, Kentucky, September 9-13, 1995, and the IAFC Planning and Evaluation Task Force has issued a Call For Papers. Send materials to Fire-Rescue International Planning and Evaluation Task Force, 4025 Fair Ridge Drive, Fairfax VA 22033-2868. All materials must arrive by October 1, 1994 in order to be considered. 16)---------- Meetings [These are the most recent meetings for which we have received announcements. Earlier notices appear in almost all prior issues of Disaster Research.] SEPTEMBER 1994 Climate Change Modelling & Climate Change Scenario Construction Methods for Impacts Assessment. Norwich, UK: September 19-21, 1994. CONTACT: Olga Brown, Climate Impacts LINK Project, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk NR4 7TJ, UK. Budapest '94: Second International Symposium and Exhibition on Environmental Contamination in Central and Eastern Europe. Budapest, Hungary: September 20-23, 1994. CONTACT: Peter Richter, Technical University Budapest/CHAERSE, Department of Atomic Physics, Budafoki ut. 8, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary. Weathering the Storm: Florida Coastal Management Conference. Jacksonville, FL: September 25-27, 1994. CONTACT: Jaime Doubek, Weathering the Storm, The Department of Community Affairs, Florida Coastal Management Program, 2740 Centerview Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100, Phone: (904) 922-5438, Fax: (904) 487-2899. OCTOBER 1994 Greenhouse '94. SPONSOR: CSIRO, Australia and NIWA, New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: October 9-14, 1994. CONTACT: Paul Holper, CSIRO Division of Atmospheric Research, Private Bag No 1, Mordialloc, Victoria 3195, Australia. Natural Disaster Education Conference: The Human Dimension. SPONSOR: The Center for Earth Science, Kean College of New Jersey, the Office of Emergency Management and New Jersey State Police. Roselle Park High School, Roselle Park, New Jersey: October 15, 1994. CONTACT: Paul Rockman at (908) 527-2894. NCSBCS Annual Conference. SPONSOR: National Conference of States on Building Codes and Standards. New Orleans, LA: October 16-19, 1994. CONTACT: Debbie Baillargeon at NCSBCS, Phone: (703) 481- 2012. 1994 Conference on Population & Environment in Arid Regions. Amman, Jordan: October 23-26, 1994. CONTACT: John Clarke, IUSSP Committee on Population and Environment, 34 rue des Augustins, 4000 Liege, Belgium. 111 International Conference on Ecological Economics. San Jose, Costa Rica: October 24-28, 1994. CONTACT: Olman Segura, Coordinator, 111 International Conference on Ecological Economics, P.O. Box 555, 3000 Heredia, Costa Rica. Responding to Traumatic Events: Interventions with Individuals, Organizations and Communities. SPONSOR: National Disaster Mental Health Consultants Asilomar Conference Center. Pacific Grove, CA: October 27-29, 1994. CONTACT: National Disaster Mental Health Consultants, 612 Highland Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-2006, Phone: (408) 425-3353. NOVEMBER 1994 The Business Recovery Managers Symposium. SPONSOR: MIS Training Institute. San Diego, CA: November 1-3, 1994. CONTACT: MIS Training Institute, 498 Concord Street, Framingham, MA 01701- 2357, Phone: (508) 978-7999, Fax: (508) 872-1153. The Annual Meeting of the Major Industrial Accidents Council of Canada. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: November 1-3, 1994. CONTACT: MIACC, 265 Carling Avenue, Suite 600, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 2E1 Phone: (613) 232-4435, Fax: (613) 232-4915. Weather Forecasting for Avalanche Forecasters. SPONSOR: American Avalanche Institute, Inc. Snowbird, UT: November 3-4, 1994. CONTACT: AAI, P.O. Box 308, Wilson, WY 83014, Phone: (307) 733- 3315. What Have You Done in the Last Five Years to Reduce Risk at Your Site? SPONSOR: Department of Energy. Oakland, CA: November 17, 1994. CONTACT: Vern Anderson, Phone: (510) 422-1141 or e-mail: jim@hill.hqdoe.gov. Putting Mitigation Policies to Work. SPONSOR: CUSEC, Annual Meeting. Memphis, TN: November 30 - December 1, 1994. CONTACT: James E. Maher, Chairperson, 2630 East Holmes Road, Memphis, TN 38118-8001, Phone: (901) 345-0932, Fax: (901) 345-0998. JANUARY 1995 Floodplain Multi-Objective and Land Use Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas/Arid West Flood Conference 1995. SPONSOR: ASFPM. CONTACT before October 1, 1994: Ms. Terri Miller, Chair, ASFPM Arid West Committee, Conference 1995, ADWR, 15 S. 15th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007. CONTACT after October 1, 1994: PARK PLACE, 500 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004. MARCH 1995 International Conference on Water Resources Management in Arid Countries. SPONSORs: Ministry of Water Resources, Oman and the World Meteorological Organization. Muscat, Oman: March 12-16, 1995. CONTACT: G.L. Stout, International Water Resources Association, University of Illinois, 1011 Peabody, Urbana, IL 61801, Phone: (612) 373-0536 or e-mail: stout@ulucvmd. The National Radiological Emergency Preparedness Conference. Atlanta, GA: March 28-30, 1995. CONTACT: Mary Alice Peterson, Community, Trade & Economic Development - Emergency Management Division - P.O. Box 48346, Olympia, WA 98504-8346, Phone: (206) 923-4942. APRIL 1995 Tenth Annual SALEMDUG Conference. SPONSOR: Idaho Bureau of Disaster Services and SALEMDUG Executive Board. Boise, ID: April 24-26, 1995. CONTACT: Patrick Frischmuth, 1995 Program Chair, Phone: (208) 334-3460, Fax: (208) 334-2322. MAY 1995 Water Resources at Risk: Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Hydrology. Denver, CO: May 14-18, 1995. CONTACT: Technical Program Chairmen, Downey and Gutentag, 6301 Eldridge, Arvada, CO 80004, Phone: (303) 425-0419, Fax: (303) 425-1053. Ninth World Congress on Emergency and Disaster Medicine. SPONSOR: World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine (WADEM). Jerusalem, Israel: May 28 - June 2, 1995. CONTACT: Pam McMaster, WADEM, 1947 Camino Vida Roble, Suite 202, Carlsbad, CA, 92008, USA, Tel: 619-431-6975 Fax: 619-431-8135 or Secretariat, Ninth World Congress on Emergency & Disaster Medicine, PO Box 50006, Tel Aviv 61500, Israel, Tel: 972 3 5140014, Fax 972 3 5175674. JUNE 1995 Third International Conference on Burns and Fire Disasters. SPONSOR: Mediterranean Burns Club and American Burn Assn., Mediterranean Cruise: June 3-9, 1995. CONTACT: Third International Conference on Burns and Fire Disasters, C/O Baltimore Regional Burn Center - Johns Hopkins Univ., 2940 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD, 21224 USA or Secretariat, Third International Conference on Burns and Fire Disasters, Divisione Chirurgia Plastica e Terapia delle Ustioni, Ospedale Civico - 90127 Palermo, Italy. JULY 1995 Emergency Planning '95: 3rd International Conference. Lancaster University, UK: July 2-6, 1995. CONTACT: Conference Secretariat, P.O. Box 277, Preston PR2 1XZ, Lancashire, UK. fax/Phone: (44) 01772 729397. OCTOBER 1996 The Third Asia-Pacific Conference on Emergency and Disaster Medicine. SPONSOR: Organising Committee, October 15-19, 1996. CONTACT: The Secretariat, The Third Asia-Pacific Conference on Emergency and Disaster Medicine, C/O Pacto Convex, Ltd., Hotel Borobudur Intercontinental, 3rd Flr., Jalan Lapangan Banteng Selatan, Jakarta 10710, Indonesia, Tel:62-21-2311363, 3805555 ext. 76128-9, Fax: 62-21-3810837.