Recent Publications
Below are summaries of some of the recent, most useful publications on hazards and disasters received by the Natural Hazards Center. Due to space limitations, we have provided descriptions of only a few key publications or those with a title that may not indicate content. All items contain information on how to obtain a copy. A complete bibliography of publications received from 1995 to the present can be found on our web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/bib/bib.html.
All Hazards
An Assessment of Natural Hazards and Disasters in Canada
. David Etkin, C. Emdad Haque, and Gregory R. Brooks, editors. 2003. 386 pp. $113.00. Copies can be purchased from Kluwer Academic Publishers, 101 Philip Drive, Norwell, MA 02061; (781) 871-6600; fax: (781) 871-6528; http://www.wkap.nl.
This volume contains articles printed in the Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards (Vol. 28, Nos. 2-3, 2003; see the Observer, Vol. XXVII, No. 4, p. 16) for a special issue devoted to an assessment of natural hazards and disasters in Canada. Articles address disaster management, community planning, and public participation; achieving sustainable hazard mitigation; the contribution of philosophy to hazards assessment and decision making; a general framework for mitigation-oriented assessments of mobile telecommunications lifelines; seismic hazard mitigation for buildings; and other topicsInventory of Disaster Management Education in Major Canadian Universities.
L. Falkiner. 2003. 30 pp. Free. Available from the Office of Critical Infrastructure and Emergency Preparedness, 2nd Floor, Jackson Building, 122 Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0W6, Canada; (800) 830-3118; http://www.ocipep.gc.ca/research/scie_tech/emerMan/DisManCanUniv/2002D013_e.pdf.
Over the coming decades, changing perceptions and understanding of risk from natural and human-made hazards and shifting employment demographics will combine to create increased demand for professionals in the field of emergency management and disasters throughout Canada. The provision of comprehensive university-level education is key to meeting this demand. This study contains an audit of course descriptions within six social science disciplines at 38 Canadian universities undertaken to assess the state of disaster management education in Canada. The author concludes that a greater emphasis on hazards and disaster management is needed; targeted disaster education modules should be created and integrated into existing curricula; and there needs to be further research about the availability of disaster-related courses in the natural and social sciences.National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Minutes of April 29, 2003 Meeting: Gaithersburg, Maryland.
2003. 11 pp. Free. Copies are available on-line from the National Institute for Standards and Technology: http://www.nist.gov/public_affairs/ncstmin_apr29.htm.
The minutes from the first meeting of the National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee contain an overview of the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and its expectations for the committee, a presentation on the World Trade Center (WTC) response plan, the WTC investigation plan and its progress, and a discussion of the Rhode Island Nightclub Fire investigation.The Essential Role of Public Works in Emergency Management
. 2003. 2 pp. Free. The fact sheet can be downloaded from the American Public Works Association (APWA) web site: http://www.apwa.net/Documents/About/PET/Emergency/EM_Fact_Sheet.pdf.
This brochure describes the many roles local public works departments play in emergency management, including ensuring safe building practices; building, operating, and protecting lifelines; and responding to disasters.If Disaster Strikes, Are You Ready to Lead? A Governor’s Primer on All-Hazards Emergency Management
. 2003. 24 pp. Free. Copies are available from the National Emergency Management Association, P.O. Box 11910, Lexington, KY 40578-1910; http://www.nemaweb.org/docs/Gov_Primer.pdf.
This booklet was published to assist new governors and their transition teams in understanding the critical issues of emergency preparedness and disaster response. The Governor’s Primer includes information on critical action items, potential threats to states, the role of the state emergency management agency, crisis communications, homeland security, interagency coordination, and many other issues of critical importance that could impact the safety and security of citizens should disaster strike. The primer also includes important lessons learned from governors in states that have experienced recent catastrophic disasters, such as New York, Iowa, Louisiana, and Montana.Uncertain Power: The Changing Role of Official Donors in Humanitarian Action
. HPG Report #12. Joanna Macrae, Sarah Collinson, Margie Buchanan-Smith, Nicola Reindorp, Anna Schmidt, Tasneem Mowjee, and Adele Harmer. 2002. 85 pp. Free. The document is available on-line at http://www.odi.org.uk/hpg/papers/hpgreport12_screen.pdf. To obtain information about the availability of printed copies, e-mail j.bygraves@odi.org.uk.Disaster Management in the Hills
. D. Satendra. 2003. 284 pp. Rupees 450. Available from Concept Publishing Company, A/15-16, Commercial Block, Mohan Garden, New Delhi - 110 059, India; tel: 5351460.
This book provides an overview of the topographic, geologic, and climate conditions of the hilly terrain of India and the impacts of these forces on natural disasters. It focuses on the Indian state of Uttranchal, an especially vulnerable region. Chapters include descriptions of terrain and geomorphology along with discussions of present approaches to disaster management, a case study in Uttranchal, a situational analysis, and emerging approaches to disaster management. The book concludes with a model for linking disaster management with sustainable rural development and working with a variety of stakeholders and policy makers.Protecting Value Study 2003: Managing Business Risks
. 2003. 24 pp. Free. The report can be found on-line from the Protecting Value web site, offered by the Financial Executives Research Foundation, FM Global, and the National Association of Corporate Treasurers, at http://www.protectingvalue.com.
The value a company creates on behalf of its customers and shareholders is its greatest asset. As a result of new threats, such as terrorism and corporate financial mismanagement, resources have been reallocated. Yet, are companies better prepared for disruptions than they were a year ago? This report contains the results of a study that asked nearly 400 chief financial officers, treasurers, and risk managers at the world’s largest corporations to identify their company’s top earnings drivers; the top hazards to those earnings; the impact of major disruptions to each; how well prepared the company is to recover from such disruptions; and how well the organization understands these hazards, their potential impacts, and their company’s level or preparation. Among the findings, 50% of companies participating in the study reported the greatest impact on revenue would derive from property-related hazards, including fire or explosion, natural disaster, terrorism, theft, or other major losses.Real People Real Crises: An Inside Look at Corporate Crisis Communication.
Steve Wilson. 2002. 165 pp. $12.95. To order a copy, contact Oakhill Press, 1647 Cedar Grove Road, Suite 102, Winchester, VA 22603; (540) 535-0744; http://www.oakhillpress.com/catalog.cfm?bookid=45.
This book, written for people who may be on the front line during crisis situations, uses real-life examples to demonstrate preparedness activities, crisis recognition frameworks, and management and planning strategies. The author, a former reporter, focuses on the public face of crisis and disaster management along with providing tips and suggestions of how to deal with the press. The book includes chapters on designating crisis management teams, how to handle the media, community relations and communication, damage control, and lessons learned. The emergency events included in the book range from product tampering to violence in the workplace."Bad Weather? Then Sue the Weatherman! Part 1: Legal Liability for Public Sector Forecasts." "Part II: Legal Liability for Private Sector Forecasts." Roberta Klein and Roger A. Pielke, Jr. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Vol. 83, No. 12, pp. 1791-1807. Interested persons can download free copies of the article at http://ams.allenpress.com/amsonline. For subscription and membership information, contact the AMS, 45 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108-3693; (617) 227-2425; fax: (617) 742-8718; e-mail: amsinfo@ametsoc.org.
Weather forecasts have become demonstrably more accurate in recent decades due to increasingly sophisticated computer technology and models. Yet scientists cannot predict the future with 100% certainty. However, relying on inaccurate or inadequate forecasts can result in great financial or even bodily harm. In such situations, what liability, if any, arises under the U.S. legal system? Part I discusses several court decisions resolving lawsuits against the federal or state government based on inaccurate or inadequate weather-related forecasts or failure to issue weather warnings that led to injury or loss. In general, most claims against the federal government based on weather forecasting or failure to warn about weather conditions have been (and likely will continue to be) resolved in favor of the government on the basis of immunity under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). State government immunity will depend on the provisions of a state’s immunity statute and how the state interprets its immunity statute. Part II of the review addresses claims against private sector weather forecasters. Both articles aim to familiarize the reader with some of the legal issues involved when forecasts are the subject of a lawsuit, rather than provide a comprehensive, law-review-style legal analysis.
The Mathematics of Natural Catastrophes
. Gordon Woo. 1999. 292 pp. $58.00. Available from World Scientific Publishing Co., Inc., 1060 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661; (201) 487-9655; http://www.wspc.com/books/engineering/p156.html.
This book explores the mathematical aspects of natural disasters and catastrophes, ranging from hazard warning and forecasting to engineering design criteria to insurance loss estimation. Chapters include a taxonomy of natural hazards, uncertainty, forecasting, warning, damage estimation, financial issues, and a discussion of catastrophe management using computer technology.On The Practice of Safety
. Third Edition. 2003. 504 pp. $94.95. To purchase a copy, contact Wiley Publishers, Customer Care Center, Consumer Accounts, 10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46256; (877) 762-2974; fax: (800) 597-3299; e-mail: customer@wiley.com; http://www.wiley.com.
This volume was created to provide a solid foundation for students of the practice of safety. It addresses such topics as safety performance as a reflection of an organization’s culture; defining the practice of safety; academic and skill requirements; addressing severe injury potential; modeling hazardous incidents; incident investigation; hazard analysis and risk assessment; acceptable risk; designing for safety; applied ergonomics; quality management; safety, health, and environmental audits; behavior-based safety; and measurement of safety performance.Homeland Security
Homeland Security at the Community Level: Issues and Opportunities—A Report on the First Annual Conference on "The Community and Homeland Security."
2003. 20 pp. $8.00. Printed copies of the report can be obtained from Susan Marchionna, National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD), 1970 Broadway, Suite 500, Oakland, CA 94612; (510) 208-0500, ext. 346; fax: (510) 208-0511; e-mail: susan@sf.nccd-crc.org; http://www.nccd-crc.org. To obtain an electronic copy of the report, e-mail George Haddow of the SAFE (Securing America’s Future for Everyone) Project: george_haddow@hotmail.com.Annotated Organizational Chart for the Department of Homeland Security
. 2003. 11" x 17". Free. To request a printed copy, e-mail george_haddow@hotmail.com.Information Technology for Counterterrorism: Immediate Actions and Future Possibilities
. 2003. 144 pp. $32.00, mail order; $25.60, on-line orders. To purchase a copy, contact the National Academies Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055; (800) 62406242; fax: (202) 334-2793; e-mail: jhenig@nas.edu; http://www.nap.edu. The complete document can also be viewed on-line at http://www.nap.edu/catalog/10640.html.
Information technology (IT) is essential to almost all of the nation’s critical functions, including transporation, power, financial and banking systems, communications, and the Internet. This reliance on IT makes infrastructures vulnerable to terrorist attacks (or other disruptions) on computers or telecommunications systems. IT is both a potential target and a potential weapon. This book provides both short- and long-term suggestions for using IT systems to thwart attack or improve emergency response while simultaneously securing the nation’s infrastructure against an IT-based offensive.The Pentagon Building Performance Report
. 2003. 88 pp. $29.25, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) members; $39.00, nonmembers. To purchase a copy, contact the ASCE, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA 20191; (800) 548-2723; http://www.pubs.asce.org.
On the afternoon of September 11, 2001, ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute established a Building Performance Study (BPS) team to examine the structural damage inflicted on the Pentagon. Team members reviewed available information on the structure, crash loading, and eyewitness accounts, and drew on focused assessments by others. After performing impact, static and thermal analyses, the BPS team made recommendations for future building design and construction and suggestions on areas where research and development is needed. Their findings are disclosed in this report. The report provides a thorough assessment of the structural system that prevented extensive collapse of the Pentagon. From the redundant and alternative load paths of the unique beam and girder framing system, to the ability of the structure to absorb excess energy, the Pentagon withstood both structural and thermal trauma better than would have been expected.State and Local Homeland Security Funding Report
. No. 03-08. Published twice monthly. Annual subscriptions, $377/year; individual copies, $18.00. To subscribe, contact CD Publications, 8204 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910; (800) 666-6380; fax: (301) 588-6385; e-mail: hsf@cdpublications.com; http://www.cdpublications.com. Copies are available in both print form and on-line with a subscription.
This new periodical addresses the ins and outs of obtaining funding for homeland security efforts. In this issue, topics include the availability of applications for homeland security grants, the release of guidance for grant applications by the Department of Homeland Security, state-level funding efforts, preparedness, police, fire, emergency services, biopreparedness, funding awarded by state, medical issues, education, transportation, infrastructure, and communications. The "Federal Grant Monitor" section describes grant programs and where to locate further information on the Internet.Modular Emergency Medical System: Expanding Local Healthcare Structure in a Mass Casualty Terrorism Incident
. 2002. 54 pp. Free. Copies of the report can be downloaded from the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command’s (SBCCOM’s) Homeland Defense Business Unit web site: http://hld.sbccom.army.mil/ip/mems_copper_book_download.htm.
In order to manage the potentially overwhelming casualty load that would result from a covert bioterrorist attack, SBCCOM developed the Modular Emergency Medical System (MEMS) to address the effective management of casualty care resources in the event a large number of victims seek treatment. This report describes MEMS and provides tips for planning for neighborhood emergency help centers, acute care centers, medical command and control, casualty transportation, community outreach, mass prophylaxis, and public information.Floods
Flood Problem and Management in South Asia
. M. Monirul Qader Mirza, Ajaya Dixit, and Ainun Nishat, editors. 2002. 215 pp. $83.00. Copies are available from Kluwer Academic Publishers, 101 Philip Drive, Norwell, MA 02061; (781) 871-6600; fax: (781) 871-6528; http://www.wkap.nl.
This volume focuses on both the hazard and the vulnerability aspects of floods in South Asia using a multidisciplinary approach. It examines the characteristics of the flood problem as well as its management aspects. Contributors suggest that effective solutions go beyond structural measures and require major restructuring of both the legal systems and institutions responsible for floodplain management. Topics include the hydrometeorological aspects of floods in India, recent flooding in Bangladesh, long-term mitigation strategies, floodplain residents’ preferences for water level management in flood control projects in Bangladesh, flood management in India, glacial lake outbursts, vulnerability, regional cooperation, and the economics of flood protection in India.Earthquakes
Redevelopment After Earthquakes
. 2003. 240 pp. $18.00. To purchase a copy, contact Spangle Associates, Urban Planning and Research, 3240 Alpine Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028-7592; (650) 854-6001; fax: (650) 854-6070; http://www.spangleassociates.com.
Redevelopment After Earthquakes is based on case studies of 11 cities that were damaged by major disasters, including Anchorage, Alaska; Los Angeles, California; Homestead, Florida; and Grand Forks, North Dakota. The study finds that redevelopment and reconstruction can be mutually beneficial, particularly that redevelopment can be a powerful part of reconstruction after disasters, in part because agencies are able to focus on damaged areas for a long period of time. In addition, reconstruction provides an opportunity to implement existing plans for redevelopment project areas. The report includes recommendations for local governments as well as state and federal agencies. Local governments are advised to be prepared to establish a redevelopment agency or project area. State and federal governments are urged to help make redevelopment more straightforward and easier to use after a disaster. An appendix to the report contains information on the redevelopment laws from 10 states.Planning and Engineering Guidelines for the Seismic Retrofit of Historic Adobe Structures
. 2003. 160 pp. $35.00. Copies can be purchased from the Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Publications, Book Distribution Center, P.O. Box 49659, Los Angeles CA 90049-0659; (800) 223-3431; http://www.getty.edu/bookstore.
This volume is a companion to Seismic Stabilization of Historic Adobe Structures: Final Report of the Getty Seismic Adobe Project (see the Observer, Vol. XXV, No. 4, p. 27). It offers guidance for planners, architects, and engineers in the retrofitting of historic and culturally significant adobe structures. It describes the types of earthquake damage typically encountered in historic adobe buildings and presents detailed technical procedures for applying the appropriate retrofit measures.Tsunamis
Evaluation of Tsunami Risk to Southern California Coastal Cities: The 2002 NEHRP Professional Fellowship Report
. Mark R. Legg, Jose C. Borrero, and Costas E. Synolakis. 2003. 43 pp. Free. Available from the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI), 499 14th Street Suite 320, Oakland, CA 94612-1934; (510) 451-0905; http://www.eeri.org/tsunami_risk/FinlRept.pdf.
This report focuses on the potential occurrence and damage effects of tsunamis generated by major offshore earthquake sources along the California coast. Topics covered include estimating tsunami amplitude, run-up, inundation, and overall occurrence probability. The authors model the Santa Catalina Island platform along two major fault sections and create a simulated 7.6 magnitude earthquake to explore the potential impacts of wave propagation effects. Because of high human population and the value of coastal property, ports, and urban infrastructure, there is potential for great loss from these infrequent offshore events.Electronic Fare
Emergency Management Plan for Public and Private Schools (K-12) on CD-ROM
. Douglas Henderson. 2002. $15.00, plus $7.00 shipping. For ordering information, contact Rothstein Associates Inc., 4 Arapaho Road, Brookfield, CT 06804-3104; (203)740-7444; http://www.rothstein.com/data/dr700.htm.
School systems and other academic institutions conduct emergency response operations differently than corporations or other for-profit organizations. School-based factors include the presence of large numbers of children, as well as the educational purpose of the institution. This CD-ROM is aimed at helping administrators, teachers, and others design emergency management plans using templates for use in a K-12 school environment. Planning templates help users create plans at the school system level, and include suggestions for developing emergency plans targeted to a wide range of school-specific situations, including emergency lockdown procedures. Sections include information on how to organize district-wide emergency management teams, design and activate effective plans, and collect and use information.America’s Conference on Wind Engineering—2001
. 2003. CD-ROM. $25.00, AAWE members; $35.00, nonmembers. To order a copy, contact the American Association for Wind Engineering, P.O. Box 161, Fort Collins, CO 80522-0161; (970) 491-2545; fax: (970) 491-8232; e-mail: aawe@aawe.org; http://www.aawe.org.
This CD contains every paper presented at the wind engineering conference hosted by Clemson University in 2001.CD-ROM Version of The Disaster Recovery Yellow Pages.
2003. $98.00, plus $3.00 shipping. Available from the Systems Audit Group Inc., 25 Ellison Road, Newton, MA 02459; (617) 332-3496; http://www.disaster-help.com/order.html.
The publishers of the hard copy Disaster Recovery Yellow Pages have issued a PC-based CD-ROM version of their disaster source book designed to help users locate recovery services information and resources throughout North America. Categories covered include drying and dehumidification of paper and microfilm records, trauma counselors, emergency computer network rental information, restoration services, training, business continuity, and more. Yearly CD-ROM updates will be available.
Since our last issue, the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) has released reports that run the gamut from assessing infrastructure vulnerability to providing grants to firefighters, to providing earthquake recovery assistance to El Salvador. Titles include:
. GAO-03-502. 2003. 23 pp.
- Transportation Security Research: Coordination Needed in Selecting and Implementing Infrastructure Vulnerability Assessments
Homeland Security: Information Sharing Responsibilities, Challenges, and Key Management Issues . Testimony Before the Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives. GAO-03-715T. 2003. 50 pp.Nuclear Regulation: Emergency Preparedness Issues at the Indian Point 2 Nuclear Power Plant . Testimony Before the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, Committee on Government Reform, House of Representatives. GAO-03-528T. 2003. 12 pp.Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program . GAO-03-655R. 2003. 4 pp.Foreign Assistance: USAID’s Earthquake Recovery Program in El Salvador Has Made Progress, but Key Activities Are Behind Schedule . GAO-03-656. 2003. 38 pp.Single copies of printed GAO reports are free. Additional copies are $2.00 each. To order, contact the U.S. General Accounting Office, 441 G Street, N.W., Room LM, Washington, DC 20548; (202) 512-6000; fax: (202) 512-6061; TDD (202) 512-2537. Copies are also free on-line from http://www.gao.gov.
A Call for Papers
The Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (BSSA) is publishing an upcoming special edition about the October 2002 earthquakes in Alaska. The issue will focus on research and investigation results on all seismological, geodetic, and other geophysical, and earthquake engineering aspects of the Nenana Mountain and Denali fault earthquakes and aftershocks.
Paper submissions from those working in these areas are encouraged. The deadline for manuscript submission is December 31, 2003, and it is anticipated that the issue will be published in December 2004. Prior to submission, interested authors are encouraged to contact one of the guest editors, Charlotte Rowe, e-mail: charl@land.gov, or Doug Christensen, e-mail: doug@giseis.alaska.edu. General information about the Seismological Society of America is available at http://www.seismosoc.org.
Table of Contents for This Issue of the Natural Hazards Observer
