Preparing for the Unexpected  Community Information  Recovery Resources  Volunteer Summit  Tsunami Warning System 


 NEW JOURNAL ARTICLES

The new journal article list is produced monthly by EMA Library and is listed alphabetically by title. It features a selection of journal articles added to the library catalogue during the previous month. To receive an email alert when the latest list is published, please contact ema.library@ema.gov.au

To request a copy of an article: please complete an article request form. If requesting more than one article, please complete a multiple article request form.

For further information please contact: ema.library@ema.gov.au or phone (03) 5421 5246.

Please note - due to the popularity of this service, the following conditions apply:

  1. A maximum of ten articles per day can be requested.
  2. 2. In line with copyright regulations, only one article per journal issue can be requested per week.

November 2008 New Article List

A conceptual model of disasters encompassing multiple stakeholder domains
Author: Kruchten, Philippe
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.5, Nos.1/2, 2008, pp.25-56.
Understanding the interdependencies of critical infrastructures (power, transport, communication, etc.) is essential in emergency preparedness and response in the face of disasters. Unfortunately, many factors (e.g., the unwillingness to disclose or share critical data) prohibited the complete development of such an understanding. As an alternative solution, this paper presents a conceptual model of disasters affecting critical infrastructures.

A co-ordinated response to major disasters
Author: Smither, J. L.
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, p.70
Establishing links with surrounding neighbours and planning for the worst can make all the difference when a major incident occurs.

A formal method to analyse human reasoning and interpretation in incident management
Author: Bosse, Tibor
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.5, Nos.1/2, 2008, pp.164-192.
The study of human reasoning often concentrates on reasoning from an already assumed interpretation of the world, thereby neglecting reasoning towards an interpretation. In the recent literature within cognitive science, the means taken from the area of nonmonotonic logic are proposed to analyse the latter aspect of human reasoning. In this paper, this claim is further worked out and tested against the empirical material of human reasoning during critical situations (incident management). Empirical and simulated reasoning traces have been analysed by comparing them and by automatically checking their properties.
 
A new approach to community flood education.
Author: Dufty, Neil
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 23 (2) May 2008, pp.4 - 8.
Although of increasing importance in a future of climate change, community flood education programs have generally been poorly designed and delivered in a relatively ineffective, ‘top-down’ manner. A new approach to flood education is promoted that broadens its focus from increasing awareness and preparedness levels to building flood resilient communities. Four functions of flood education are identified to help communities learn to build their resilience. Other features of the new approach are increased community participation in the design, implementation and evaluation of programs and effective ongoing education provision through local flood education plans.

A qualified Natech damage scale for the impact of floods on selected industrial facilities
Author: Krausmann, Elisabeth
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.46, No.2, August 2008, pp.179-197.
There is increasing evidence that natural disasters can trigger technological accidents and damage. These so-called Natech accidents can pose a significant risk to regions that are unprepared for responding to them. This work investigates the risk associated with the flooding of industrial installations through an analysis of past case histories and using expert judgement.

A strategic perspective of business continuity management in business organizations.
Author: Wong, Wei Ning Zechariah
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.2 (2) 2007, pp.16 - 33.
Despite its rapid development in the last decade, business continuity management (BCM) as a discipline and a profession is still regarded by many as an operational entity of management. To this end, two fundamental issues are examined in this paper: the managerial concepts of BCM in organizations; and the strategic traits of business continuity managers. 
 
Ability of regional hospitals to meet projected Avian Flu pandemic surge capacity requirements
Author: Ten Eyck, Raymond P.
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, Vol.23, No.2, March-April 2008, pp.103-112.
Abstract : Introduction: Hospital surge capacity is a crucial part of community disaster preparedness planning, which focuses on the requirements for additional beds, equipment, personnel, and special capabilities. The scope and urgency of these requirements must be balanced with a practical approach addressing cost and space concerns. Renewed concerns for infectious disease threats, particularly from a potential avian flu pandemic perspective, have emphasized the need to be prepared for a prolonged surge that could last six to eight weeks.

Adoption of business continuity practices by SMEs.
Author: Hill, Rosemary
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.1 (1) 2006, pp.30 -35.
Rosemary Hill describes the first part of a research project to identify the factors that motivate small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt business continuity management. SMEs form a vital part of the economies of many countries, but there is evidence that they do not usually include BCM as part of their management practices. This paper describes a survey of SMEs in the UK and Australia to find out the extent of BCM activities within such companies, the reasons given for having or not having BCM programs and the extent of the interruptions experienced by these businesses.

An automated online crisis dispatcher
Author: Fitrianie, Siska
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.5, Nos.1/2, 2008, pp.123-144.
During crisis events, human operators in a crisis centre will be overloaded with a large amount of information. The stress of dealing with crisis situations can have a significant impact on the certainty of the information. The need for a system that is able to handle information calls automatically may then become apparent. Our research is about a dialogue system that can play as a crisis hotline dispatcher. The dialogue system offers a natural user interaction through its ability to start a user-friendly dialogue taking care of the content, context and user's emotion. It retrieves information about crisis situations from users while controlling the communication flow. The system is able to recognise the emotion loading of the user's linguistic content. The recogniser uses a database that contains selected keywords on a 2D 'arousal' and 'valence' scale. Its output includes an indication of the urgency of the information regarding the crisis.
 
An economic assessment of the voluntary land search and rescue sector in New Zealand. 
Author: Scott, Guy
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 23 (3) August 2008, pp.49 - 57.
Volunteers are an important part of search and rescue operations in New Zealand but their value to society is not easily quantified. During the year ending June 2007 volunteers were estimated to have contributed $3 million ($579 per volunteer) or 59% of annual land search and rescue costs. If the services of the voluntary land search and rescue sector were not provided, then either this activity would be curtailed and police and /or other public sector, and health and injury costs would rise. An additional $1 million of funding devoted to avoiding the need for search and rescue operations would be justified if 6 incidents were prevented.

An interdisciplinary analytical study on the risk preparedness of Bam and its cultural landscape, a world heritage property in danger in Iran.
Author: Fallahi, Alireza
Australian Journal of Emergency Management Vol. 23 (2) May 2008, pp.21 - 30.
Cultural heritage is very important in fostering a quality of life with value and pride in all civilizations. Therefore, the protection of world cultural heritage from natural and man-made disasters has been a focus both nationally and internationally for the last fifty years. Similar to most disasters, the 2003 Bam earthquake presented windows of opportunities for disaster mitigation, risk preparedness, physical planning, and socio-economic and cultural developments. Now, more than four years after the disaster, this article analyses the extent such opportunities were exploited and proposes strategies and recommendations for future risk preparedness planning in Bam. It outlines a study, findings of which indicate that without undertaking an integral approach in terms of physical, social and cultural aspects, there will be little chance to find suitable and sustainable growth.

Beyond competence : identifying and understanding non-technical competencies for crisis management team members.
Author: Anderson, Lorna
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.2 (1) 2007, pp.7 - 32.
The study of competence in a business context usually relates of behavioural outcomes, judged against a set of agreed criteria. Business usually examines competence as "how well an individual performs in their role", it does not normally look at how an individual's competence level can be cultivated and developed towards expertise. This paper describes the research undertaken over three inter-related, triangulated studies, throughout 2006, to look holistically at existing studies in competence and expertise from a performance psychology perspective, in an attempt to identify essential and non-technical competencies for crisis management team members (CMTM). Using the competencies as a basis to explore expertise and its development in a business environment, the research provides a theoretical model for the development towards competence and beyond, proposing an integrated expertise framework.
 
Bird flu is out there just biding its time
Author: Mackenzie, Deborah
New Scientist, 20 September, 2008, p.8.
Although the H5N1 virus appears to have died down, it is still out there, recombining and evolving, and ready to assume a more lethal form. As well, the more common but less deadly H9 virus could quite easily evolve into a people killer.

Brokerage roles in disaster response : organisational mediation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina
Author: Lind, Benjamin E.
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.5, Nos.1/2, 2008, pp.75-99.
When one organisation serves as an intermediary for two other organisations which are not in direct contact, that organisation is said to engage in brokerage behaviour. Using the case of the Hurricane Katrina disaster, this study demonstrates the use of formal brokerage measures to study communication among the responding organisations. We apply the brokerage role typology put forth by Gould and Fernandez (1989) to communication networks among the responding organisations in two communities: Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana and Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. We find that relatively few organisations perform most of the brokerage; primarily, these brokering organisations were locally based. The implications for predisaster planning are discussed.

Bushfires and the media : a cultural perspective.
Author: Hughes, Peter
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 22 (4) November 2007, pp.14 - 20.
Thinking about bushfires needs to occur in the context of broad scale social positions which are circulating in society, of which two examples are neo liberalism and global warming; the latter of which has been on the agenda for scientists at least since the work of the Club of Rome, but is increasingly on the political agenda, most notably since the recent Stern report (Stern 2007).

Business continuity standards : the results of a worldwide survey.
Author: Honour, David
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.2 (2), pp.49 - 66.
During February and March 2007, a survey was conducted of business continuity professionals concerning their usage of business continuity standards. This paper provides a summary of the results which show respondents' attitudes towards five business continuity standards: BS 25999-1:2006, BS ISO/IEC 17799:2005, HB 292-2006 and NFPA 1600.
 
Collaborative emergency management : better community organising, better public preparedness and response
Author: Kapucu, Naim
Disasters, the journal of disaster studies, policy and management, Vol.32, No.2, June 2008, p.239-262.
Community coordination requires communication and planning of precautions to take when faced with a severe threat of disaster. The unique case of the four Florida hurricanes of 2004-Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne-is used here to assess community responses to repeated threats of hurricanes. The paper examines how effectiveness in coordinating community disaster response efforts affects future public preparedness. The findings suggest that pre-season planning, open communication between emergency managers and elected officials, and the use of technology all had a significant impact on community responses. The repeated threat scenario indicates that emergency managers must work vigilantly to keep residents informed of the seriousness of a situation. The study describes how emergency managers in Florida countered public complacency during four hurricanes in six weeks. The strategies identified as useful by public managers in the context of hurricanes are applicable to other natural and man-made disasters.
 
Coming down off the high : firefighters experience of readjustment following deployment.
Author: Holgate, Alina
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 22 (4) November 2007, pp.34 - 38.
The Victoria, Australia 2006/2007 fire season was amongst the worst on record and involved the deployment of thousands of firefighters from multiple government agencies from across the State. Little research has been conducted into the typical readjustment processes of firefighters following return from deployment. There has also been little research into the emotional rewards that firefighters may experience during deployment. Sixty-six firefighting staff from an emergency response agency were interviewed about their experiences of readjustment and the subjective rewards of their tour and interview responses were content analysed using a grounded theory approach. Suggestions are made as to how managers may better assist firefighting staff to reintegrate to their normal work role following deployment to the fireground.

Communication with disaster survivors : towards best practice.
Author: Nicholls, Susan
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 23 (3) August 2008, pp.14 - 20.
This paper describes the findings of exploratory research carried out in late 2007 into communication strategies implemented by agencies and individuals involved in assisting recovery of survivors of the World Trade Center attacks in New York in September 2001, and the London bombings of July 2005. Asking the question, “How has communication been used to assist the recovery of affected communities of New York and London?”, the research reveals the complexity, common characteristics, and unique features of recovery communication. This paper discusses some of the different communication approaches adopted by government agencies following these events. It explores differences and similarities, drawing on the research findings to suggest best practice in post-disaster communication and to recommend further research avenues.

Community based disaster preparedness : need for a standardized training module.
Author: Walia, Ajinder
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (2) May 2008, pp.68 - 73.
Disasters act as great levelers defying all existing social differences and stratifications, affecting all, and in a unique way, unifying the communities across boundaries. Whereas there is a need to develop a standard module for Community Based Disaster Preparedness (CBDP) in a country, there is also no need to ‘reinvent the wheel’. Collation of existing strengths of the training modules would be a better strategy. There is a need to develop and evolve a standardized training module for streamlining CBDP practices carried out by various organizations in a country to ensure that CBDP doesn’t become a one-off project based activity but rather a continuous process of development.
 
Continuity risk appetite : what it is and why it is important.
Author: Robinson, John
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.2 (1) 2007, pp.39 - 46.
John Robinson looks at the subject of risk appetite, explaining the concept and introducing the term 'continuity risk appetite' to highlight its use within the business continuity profession. The concept of risk appetite has long been recognised in the insurance and financial sectors and more recently as a component of operational risk management. Various definitions exist and most reflect a common-sense interpretation along the lines of the "the amount of risk a person, group or organisation willingly accepts". Continuity risk appetite (CRA) is an extensive of this but restricts the definition to the potentially catastrophic risks addressed by business continuity managers.

Crisis communication and multimodel decision making on the fireground.
Author: Ingham, Valerie
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (3) August 2008, pp.9 - 13.
A crisis situation calls for multiple decisions to be made and communicated rapidly. Despite its lack of visibility and explanation there is an art to communication and decision making in dynamic high pressured situations, which I term Multimodal Decision Making. Multimodal Decision Making provides an holistic approach to understanding decision making in time pressured, uncertain conditions where incident commanders find themselves having to distinguish between what is read at face-value and what is intuitively understood to be happening. I interviewed Inspectors from within a large Australian fire fighting organisation and found their visual perception and somatic awareness to be integral to their understanding of what was happening and their subsequent communication of decisions. Through the analysis of a fireground incident I will demonstrate the vital importance of visual perception and somatic awareness when contradictory and incomplete information has to be processed and communicated quickly.

Crisis management, part V : caring for the deceased
Author: Jensen, Robert
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, p.51
Robert Jensen looks at the challenges faced when attending to the deceased, their personal property and their family members, after a crisis or disaster has struck
 
Culture of preparedness : household disaster preparedness
Author: Kapucu, Naim
Disaster Prevention and Management, an international journal, Vol.17, No.4, 2008, p.526-535.
Abstract: Purpose – This paper aims to examine household preparedness in response to disasters and the role of non-profit organizations in the public's preparedness. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses the context of hurricane preparedness of Central Florida residents, using the mail survey method as a data collection tool. Findings – The findings of the study emphasize the importance of household and individual preparedness in response to natural disasters, specifically to hurricanes. If individuals are not ready, then nobody is ready. The paper finds that households, even with significant experience of disasters, can be complacent in response to disasters. Originality/value – The paper focuses on household preparedness and emphasizes that the emergency management community needs to make a significant effort in training households.

Delivering mission critical capabilities
Author: VT Critical Services
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, p.43
Sponsoring partner VT has announced a new contract to manage vehicles and equipment modules for UK Fire and Rescue Services.

Differentiated adjustment to the 1991 Mt Pinatubo resettlement program among lowland ethnic groups of the Philipines.
Author: Gaillard, Jean-Christophe
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (2) May 2008, pp.31 - 39.
This study focuses on the adjustment of two lowland ethnic groups of the Philippines, i.e. the Kapampangans and the Ilokanos, to the resettlement program set up in the aftermath of the 1991 Mt Pinatubo eruption and lingering lahars. Victims from both ethnic groups challenged the layout of the resettlement site and the design of the houses. However, the Kapampangans maintained strong links with their native village while the Ilokanos proved to be loosely tied to their territory. The different adjustments to the resettlement program is traced to different ethnic histories and cultures. The topdown and technocratic nature of the resettlement process failed to consider these ethnic factors.

Disaster mythology : looting in New Orleans
Author: Constable, Mark
Disaster Prevention and Management, an international journal, Vol.17, No.4, 2008, p.519-525.
The purpose of this paper is to examine the many reports of looting during the response operation in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and assess these reports against literature which suggests that looting during natural disasters is a myth.

Disaster preparedness for vulnerable persons receiving in-home, long-term care in South Carolina
Author: Laditka, Sarah B.
Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, Vol.23, No.2, March-April 2008, pp.133-142
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine how agencies in South Carolina that provide in-home health care and personal care services help older and/or disabled clients to prepare for disasters.

Earthquake impact mitigation in poor urban areas : the case of Metropolitan Manila.
Author: Iuchi, Kanako
Disaster Prevention and Management, an international journal, Vol.17, No.4, 2008, p.454-469.
The purpose of this paper is to show that the Philippines is often described as the melting pot of natural disasters (typhoons, floods and torrential rains). As part of the Pacific ring of fire, the Philippines is also prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In the current disaster management scheme, the poor are likely to be put last. Conventional risk reduction mitigation methods (such as land use and building codes) are failing. A paradigm shift is needed – one that enables poor communities to maximize their limited resources and contribute to risk reduction.

Emergency management of tsunami in New South Wales and the response to the Solomon Islands tsunami April 2nd 2007.
Author: Gissing, Andrew
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (3) August 2008, pp.28 - 34.
New South Wales has a well developed tsunami emergency plan, which details the arrangements for the preparation for, response to and the initiation of recovery coordination arrangements following the impact of a tsunami. This paper will provide an insight into the emergency management of tsunami in NSW including the current activities being undertaken to prepare for tsunami and provide an overview of the NSW response to the 2nd of April Solomon Islands tsunami.

Emergency management websites, part II
Author: Crowe, Adam
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, p.52
Emergency management and preparedness websites are a critical tool to increase public awareness in local communities but they need to be easy to use, says Adam Crowe. In this article, he visits emergency management websites in North America to assess them for functionality.
 
Ethnic groups' response to the 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami in Aceh, Indonesia 
Author: Gaillard, Jean-Christophe
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.47, No.1, October 2008, pp.17-38
The 26 December 2004 earthquake and tsunami unfairly hit the different ethnic groups of Aceh, Indonesia. The present study draws on a contextual framework of analysis where people’s behaviour in the face of natural hazards is deeply influenced by the cultural, social, economic and political context.

Evacuation powers of emergency workers and emergency-service organisations in Australia.
Author: Loh, Elsie
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.22 (4) November 2007, pp 3 - 7.
Every Australian State and Territory has adopted the Australasian Fire Authorities Council’s ‘Prepare, Stay and Defend or Leave Early’ policy (the Policy) which outlines how emergency service organisations (ESOs) and their members should respond to fire emergencies. This paper summarises the powers of ESOs and their members to forcibly remove people from their homes for each State and Territory in Australia. Victoria is generally described as having a pecuniary interest evacuation model and the other States and Territories as having the mandatory evacuation model. As described in the paper, such a dichotomy is simplistic.
 
Facing the future
Author: Kendrick, Emily
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, p.62
Sharing experiences of disaster management and command systems IJOCC 2008 showed the way towards cross-global response. IJOCC stands for The International Joint Operations Command and Control Conference

Flood hazard in Hunan province in China : an economic loss analysis
Author: Huang, Xin
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.47, No.1, October 2008, pp.65-73.
Natural and man-made disasters have been increasing and affecting millions of people throughout the world. Floods are the most common natural disasters affecting more people across the globe than all other natural or technological disasters and also are the most costly in terms of human hardship and economic loss. In order to explore the total economic loss, components of economic loss, and factors influencing economic loss during flooding, a retrospective study was carried out in year 2000 in areas that suffered floods in 1998 in Hunan province,

Floods in Jakarta : when the extreme reveals daily structural constraints and mismanagement
Author: Texier, Pauline
Disaster Prevention and Management : an international journal, Vol.17, No.3, 2008, p.358-372.
Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the root causes of disaster vulnerability in Jakarta, to highlight the strategies and implications of official policies, and to consider alternatives for vulnerability mitigation. The February 2007 floods which struck Jakarta emphasized the extreme vulnerability of informal poor communities and the inefficiency of the disaster management policy set up by the Indonesian government.

From emergency relief to livelihood recovery : lessons learned from post-tsunami experiences in Indonesia and India
Author: Regnier, Philippe
Disaster Prevention and Management : an international journal, Vol.17, No.3, 2008, p.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the issue of post-disaster livelihood recovery through economic rehabilitation, with the illustration of post-tsunami promotion of microentrepreneurship activities generating employment and income among the affected populations.
 
Future challenges for volunteer based emergency services.
Author: Parkin, Deb
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (2) May 2008, pp.61 - 67.
The issues of declining volunteer numbers are now well established. Aging population, rural population decline, climate change, the changing of family dynamics and the complex whole-oflife pressures facing individuals impact on the willingness and ability of individuals to volunteer time for community service. The challenge for the leadership of Emergency Service Organisations is to expand their volunteer base at a rate that corresponds with the population in growth areas whilst maintaining service delivery standards to small remote communities where population is declining.

Gen Y and emergency management : how do we engage generation Y in the emergency management sector?
Author: Wajs-Chaczko, Emil
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (3) August 2008, pp.58 - 61.
What are the broad implications of the values and expectations of Generation Y and what do they entail for the emergency management sector? This article focuses on emerging community resilience issues, engaging Generation Y as volunteers and employees within the emergency management sector and the variety of changes for which we might expect or plan. The article includes a series of considerations for planning by emergency management organisations. Gen Y is now entering the workforce and undertaking significant roles within the sector and the community.

Human factors in business continuity management and response.
Author: Barnes, Peter
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.2 (1) 2007, pp.33 - 38.
Only very rarely do business continuity plans take adequate account of the most significant variable of all - the people issues that will affect the firm's ability to function in a disaster. Every company will, at some time or in some context roll out the cliche that 'its people are its most important asset'/ Yet ask those responsible how the composition of these 'most valuable assets' has been factored in to their business continuity arrangements and most will find it difficult to come up with a satisfactory answer.
 
Impact of storms and earthquakes on industrial installations : new risk control approaches required?
Author: Beem, H.
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.46, No.2, August 2008, pp.243-256.
As consequences of heavy floods in Germany in August 2002, the Umweltbundesamt UBA—German Environmental Protection Agency—started a research project on the safety of industrial installations due to technical as well as natural risks. The present paper offers a brief survey of the storm and earthquake regulations for all built environment in Germany, including industrial plants. It further shows how these natural hazardous risks are treated in National building standards, and how they are transformed into residual failure risks of buildings. Based on this knowledge the manuscript then elucidates exemplary safety gaps in combination with technical risks in industrial plants under operation.
 
Improving a nation's preparedness
Author: Portelli, Ian
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, p.42.
Ian Portelli and Lina Kolesnikova discuss the Large Scale Emergency Readiness Project in the US, which aims to improve the nation's readiness for the outcome of a large-scale urban emergency.

Improving flood response
Author: Hough, Emily
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, pp.34-36.
Sir Michael Pitt's eagerly awaited review into the 2007 summer floods in England has been published and has been well received by many of those involved in responding to the events last year. One criticism noted was the inadequacy of web-based information sources, suffering from poorly constructed sites, or problems related to crashing from the volume of traffic.
 
'It'll never happen to me : understanding public awareness of local flood risk
Author: Burningham, Kate
Disasters, the journal of disaster studies, policy and management, Vol.32, No.2, June 2008, p.216-238.
Following the severe flood events of 1998 and 2000, the United Kingdom's Environment Agency prioritised the need to increase public flood risk awareness. Drawing on data collected during research undertaken for the Environment Agency, this paper contributes to understanding of one aspect of flood awareness: people's recognition that their property is in an area that is potentially at risk of flooding.

Knowledge, attitude and practice of disaster preparedness and mitigation among medical students
Author: Sinha, Abhinav
Disaster Prevention and Management, an international journal, Vol.17, No.4, 2008, p.503-507.
The purpose of this paper is to assess the present level of knowledge about disaster preparedness and mitigation among undergraduate medical students. Emergency medical assistance is the most important and immediate post-disaster need, second only to search and rescue operations. Hence, knowledge about disaster preparedness and mitigation is essential for medical students.

Legal risks of volunteer firefighters : how real are they?
Author: Loh, Elsie
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (2) May 2008, pp.47 - 60.
Australian fire services outside major metropolitan areas depend highly on volunteer firefighters. As volunteers, they are accorded protection by legislation from personal liability for any damage or harm caused in the course of their volunteering. Volunteer firefighters are protected under two types of legislation – legislation that apply to all types of volunteers and legislation that specifically protects volunteer firefighters. This paper examines the extent to which volunteer firefighters are protected by both sets of legislation. It will also outline the exceptions and the important discrepancies and gaps in protection that volunteers and fire services should be aware of. The paper concludes that volunteer firefighters are well covered by immunities from legal liabilities, although there are some gaps in the coverage.
 
Litigation for failure to warn of natural hazards and community hazards.
Author: Eburn, Michael
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (2) May 2008, pp.9 - 13.
In this paper Eburn looks at that argument in the context of Australian law and finds that bringing a legal action for failure to warn may be easier than suing responders, but such an action would still face considerable legal hurdles and may pose a threat to long term community resilience. The paper is particularly timely given the current litigation arising from the 2003 Canberra bushfires and the alleged failure of ACT emergency services to issue adequate and timely warnings.

Living with bushfire risk : social and environmental influences on preparedness.
Author: Paton, Douglas
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (3) August 2008, pp.41 - 48.
This paper discusses the process of developing a model capable of informing the development of community outreach strategies to facilitate the sustained adoption of bushfire preparedness measures. Following the identification of anomalies in defining the predictors of preparedness, a qualitative study of the reasoning processes that influence whether or not people decided to prepare for bushfire hazards is presented. The findings of the qualitative study are used to revise the preparedness model. Finally, using data from 482 residents in high bushfire risk areas in Hobart, the ability of the revised model to account for differences in levels of household preparedness is discussed.

Living with increasing floods : insights from a rural Philippine community
Author: Gaillard, Jean-Christophe
Disaster Prevention and Management : an international journal, Vol.17, No.3, 2008, p.383-395.
The purpose of this paper is to consider people's ways of coping with increasing flooding in a Philippine rural community.  The paper emphasizes that the capacity of flood-affected people to cope with increasing hazards is rooted in their ability to adjust their everyday lifestyles. Flood-affected people seldom rely on extraordinary measures to face nature's extremes. 

Manning the Gautrain Tunnel
Author: Phillips, Hilary
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, pp.26-27.
Hilary Phillips finds out how a rescue operation would be handled in the event of a serious underground incident during construction of a 15 kilometre train tunnel in South Africa.

Manufactured home building regulations and the February 2, 2007 Florida tornadoes
Author: Simmons, Kevin M.
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.46, No.3, September 2008, pp.415-425.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the state of Florida implemented new wind load and tie-down regulations for manufactured homes following Hurricane Andrew. This article examines the effect of the new regulations on the likelihood that occupants of mobile homes would survive a tornado.

Measuring continuity.
Author: Robinson, John
The Business Continuity , Vol.1 (1) 2006, pp.3 - 8.
John Robinson examines how the adoption of control and measurement ideas may benefit business continuity management. Measurement and control systems are explored, explaining how they work and examining their practical suitability for BCM in different organisations. The author addresses the following questions: How much control do we need? What can we do to improve control? What kind of system will achieve this?
 
Megacode 2006 : from concept to reality.
Author: Moutia, Didier
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.22 (4) November 2007, pp.21 - 26.
Disaster exercises are critical in ensuring agencies are well prepared when a real incident occurs. In order to be effective, exercises need to be carefully planned and replicate the real world conditions likely to confront responding agencies. Megacode 2006 was the culmination of 8 months of careful planning and was focused upon evaluating the response of St John Ambulance volunteers to a multiple casualty incident (MCI). The exercise was well received by all attending agencies and successfully highlighted areas which challenged St John responders and which require consideration in future MCI training of St John Ambulance volunteer members and team leaders.

Methods for the estimation of loss of life due to floods : a literature review and a proposal for a new method.
Author: Jonkman, S. N.
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.46, No.3, September 2008, pp.353-389.
This article deals with methods for the estimation of loss of life due to flooding. These methods can be used to assess the flood risks and to identify mitigation strategies. The method is applied to assess the consequences for a large-scale flooding of the area of South Holland, in the Netherlands.

Myanmar, the response
Author: Katoch, Arjun
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, pp.12-17.
Three articles on Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar (Burma). Arjun Katoch, who was in Myanmar to witness the devastation following Cyclone Nargis earlier this year, gives us his thoughts on the international response to the crisis. Nicholas Hefner of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief gives us an insight into just one angle of the relief effort following Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar. In the third article, we find out what it's like to live through the eye of a storm as our on-the-scene-reporter gives his account of Cyclone Nargis from inside Rangoon.

On probability in risk analysis of natural disasters
Author: Emblemsvag, Jan
Disaster Prevention and Management, an international journal, Vol.17, No.4, 2008, p.508-518.
The purpose of this paper is to show how the common practice of applying the frequency interpretation of probability in risk analysis of so-called low-probability and high-consequence disasters can prove to be flawed, and to present a possible remedy.  The paper presents a new approach to analyzing the risk of low probability, high impact natural disasters that can be readily applied in other low probability, high consequence cases.

One man's reactions : observations after the Hunter River flood of June 2007.
Author: Maitland, Barry
Risk Frontiers Newsletter, Vol.7, Issue 3, March 2008, pp.[1]-[4].
Reflections on the flooding of the Hunter Valley in June 2007. The newsletter also includes an article: Denial, torpor, dissent and forgetting explored, by Chas Keys, which explores the ways people cope with flooding.

Overview of deaths associated with natural events, United States, 1979-2004.
Author: Thacker, Maria T. F.
Disasters, the journal of disaster studies, policy and management, Vol.32, No.2, June 2008, p.303-315.
Analysis of the National Center for Health Statistics' Compressed Mortality File showed that between 1979 and 2004, natural events caused 21,491 deaths in the United States.
 
Paramedics' perception of risk and willingness to work during disasters. :
Author: Smith, Erin
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (2) May 2008, pp.14 -20.
Paramedics, as emergency healthcare workers and ‘frontline’ responders, are expected to be both willing and able to respond when disaster strikes. In reality, paramedics may be reluctant to work when the situation poses a possible threat to their own safety, their co-workers, or that of their families. Through the use of paramedic focus groups, this study demonstrates that ambulance services should not assume that all paramedics will be willing to report to work during disasters. This willingness to work is directly influenced by paramedics’ perceptions of risk, as well as the type, duration, location, and visibility of the disaster. The impact of this should be considered in emergency preparedness and planning.

Physical and economic losses sustained by the industry in the 1999 Kocaeli, Turkey earthquake
Author: Durukal, Eser
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.46, No.2, August 2008, pp.153-178.
The aim of this article is to contribute with first-hand data on damage and failure modes at industrial facilities subject to earthquake. Physical and economic losses faced by the industry in the 1999 Kocaeli earthquake are summarized.
 
Popular business continuity myths explored : part two.
Author: Sikich, Geary W.
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.2 (2) 2007, pp.41 - 48.
In the second of a series of papers; Geary W.Sikich and John Stagl explore three 'business continuity myths' and attempt to dispel incorrect assumptions and understandings concerning them. The three 'myths' looked at in this paper are: Business continuity planning methodologies can be applied to all levels within the organization; Concepts of business continuity planning are changing; You can successfully plan for non-traditional work environments.

Preference elicitation and sensitivity analysis in multicriteria group decision support for industrial risk and emergency management
Author: Bertsch, Valentin
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.5, Nos.1/2, 2008, pp.7-24.
The resolution of complex decision situations in crisis and remediation management following an industrial emergency requires input from different disciplines. Contributing to the transparency and traceability of decisions and taking subjective preferences into account, Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) is suitable for involving various stakeholder and expert groups in the decision-making process with diverse background knowledge and different views and responsibilities. The focus of this paper is to highlight the role of MCDA in risk and emergency management in the nuclear power generation sector on the basis of a hypothetical case study. 
 
Preparing for national emergencies
Author: Moncaz, Adi
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, p.22
Adi Moncaz, head of training for the Israeli Fire and Rescue Commission outlines its latest training exercise, 'Turning Point 2' designed to test civilian agencies under wartime conditions.

Propagation characteristics of historical tsunamis that attacked the east coast of Korea
Author: Lim, Chae Ho
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.47, No.1, October 2008, pp.95-118.
In this study, a numerical modeling system based on the dispersion–correction finite difference scheme equipped with a grid-nesting scheme is constructed. The model is applied to simulate the propagation of three historical tsunami events that attacked the east coast of Korea.

Protecting reputation : beyond the basics
Author: Bland, Michael
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.2 (2) 2007, pp.34 - 40.
This paper provides practical advice, looking at some of the common difficulties encountered by business continuity managers when involved in the art and science of reputation protection. Various 'brick walls' and 'conundrums' are examined which should be considered before they are encountered.
 
Psychosocial support : superheroes need not apply
Author: Ytre, Asta
Red Cross and Red Crescent, Issue 2, 2008, pp.20-21
A look at some of the psychological stresses involved in first aid, and first response, work

Public behaviour during a pandemic.
Author: Hagan, Patrick
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (3) August 2008, pp.35 - 40.
A pandemic resulting from a newly emerged disease constitutes one of the more probable events likely to threaten national security (Cecchine and Moore, 2006, Brower and Chalk, 2003). Like many countries, Australia is currently taking steps to improve its ability to manage an outbreak of pandemic. An important component of these efforts to date is Exercise Cumpston1, a multi-jurisdictional exercise held in October 2006. Exercise Cumpston provided State and Federal Government agencies an opportunity to validate elements of their pandemic influenza management plans. Moreover, it offered us a means by which to test and, if necessary, refine the inter-departmental coordination processes so critical to the effectiveness of any response.

Resilience in emergency response organisations
Author: Kiertzner, Henrik
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, p.46
Like many commercial organisations, emergency response agencies that have had the 'fat squeezed out' often lose resilience and become brittle. The downside of efficiency is explored.

Road to recovery :
Author: Hough, Emily
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, pp.32-33.
Local responders in the UK have a new tool at their disposal during the recovery phase of an emergency, writes Emily Hough. The online National Recovery Guidance is the UK Government's latest addition to dealing with disasters. The NRG provides a single point of reference to local responders dealing with the recovery phase of an emergency, and it is web-based.

Role of building codes and construction standards in windstorm disaster mitigation.
Author: Henderson, David
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (2) May 2008, pp.40 - 46.
It seems the incidence of severe weather resulting in damage to buildings and infrastructure — causing distress and hardship to communities — is on the increase. Is this reported damage indicating deficiencies in Australia’s building standards? Recent damage surveys have shown that the majority of contemporary structures remained structurally sound protecting their occupants, thereby meeting the life safety objective of the Building Code of Australia. However, there were examples of houses designed and built that did not conform to the relevant standards, because of the use of incorrect design parameters, poor construction practices, and inappropriate materials. It is recommended that continuing education is required in all steps of the building process.
 
Satellite data potential for landslide studies in tropical regions
Author: Jeber, Faisal
Disaster Prevention and Management, an international journal, Vol.17, No.4, 2008, p.470-477.
The purpose of this paper is to show that satellite data applicability for landslides studies is given concentration in tropical regions, which have two limitations; regular cloud cover and thick vegetation.

Shelter : beyond tents and tarpaulins
Author: Fuller, Patrick
Red Cross, Red Crescent, Issue 2, 2008, pp.4-9.
Instant hotels, Finnish saunas and coconut leaves are part of the story of how Red Cross National Societies shelter people hit by tragedy. A look at the work of the Red Cross in providing not merely emergency shelter after disaster, but how they help communities rebuild safer, more substantial housing.
 
Smarter clothes
Author: McGrane, Sally
Time Magazine, July 14, 2008, p.56.
New, smart textiles, could be very helpful for the emergency worker. For example, a Proetex fire jacket can keep track of a firefighter's vital signs, warn him if the fire is too hot up ahead, provide GPS readings of his position, and alert the command centre if e has passed out.

Storm warning
Author: Mooney, Chris
New Scientist, 2 August, 2008, pp.38-40.
Unusually early tornadoes wreaked havoc in the US this year. Is global warming to blame? The article concludes that tornado researchers are reluctant to jump to any conclusions on the global warming issue.
 
Strategic pandemic planning.
Author: Dorman, Dan
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.1 (1) 2006, pp.21 - 29.
This paper commences with a detailed exploration of the common assumptions that are made concerning the onset and impacts of pandemic influenza. The author points out that the tacit acceptance of such assumptions can lead to limited and unrealistic views of both the pandemic threat and the capacity of business and governments to respond. Strategically approached, pandemic preparation can provide opportunities in industry leadership, and can open new avenues of business.

The BIA under the microscope, II
Author: Honour, David
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.1 (1) 2006, pp.36 - 45.
In July 2003 Continuity Central published the results of a detailed online survey into the ways that different organisations use the business impact analysis (BIA). The results were published in a paper entitled 'The BIA under the microscope'. During 2005 and first half of 2006 the survey was repeated and this paper presents the results of the second survey. The paper compares and contrasts the results of both surveys, seeking to discover any changes which may have taken place in terms of the way that organisations use and conduct BIAs and gathering information which may be of help to business continuity managers when approaching this sometimes problematical subject.

The climate changers
Author: Muir, Hazel
New Scientist, 6 September, 2008, pp.32-36.
Did stone age farmers avert an ice age because of the influence of their agricultural techniques? The spread of rice farming in Asia coincides with an unexplained rise in methane levels, amongst other things. Did ancient plagues and pestilence that killed millions of people alter the planet's climate? What, historically, appear to be drivers of climate change?
 
The five steps toward awakened leadership.
Author: Marques, Joan F.
Performance Improvement, Vol.47, No.7, August 2008, pp.20-23.
This article reviews AWAKE, a five step process that can lead to the successful practice of Awakened Leadership (AL) as a tool toward human performance improvement. AL is a highly flexible meta-leadership style that integrates all distinctive leadership approaches into one all-encompassing way of living and leading. The five-step plan toward AL is called AWAKE: analyze, weave, assess, key, and exalt

The flood next time
Author: Grunwald, Michael
Time Magazine, September 15, 2008, pp.26-27.
Although Cyclone Gustav spared New Orleans this time, the city is still not safe. What preventive measures must be undertaken before the next disastrous cyclone strikes?

The rising tide : climate change and business continuity.
Author: Ellis, Rebecca
The Journal of Business Continuity, Vol.2 (1) 2007, pp.47 - 64.
There is growing consensus, based on mounting evidence, that human activities are accelerating climate change. Understanding what this might mean and how we should be preparing for it should be a key concern for organisations in the 21st century. The role of the government and the international community, through the commitment to conventions such as the Kyoto Protocol and other legislation designed to reduce carbon emission and improve the current prognosis, will play a vital role. This paper considers and discusses in detail the issues relating to climate change from a business continuity perspective, including potential implications and impacts, and recommended planning considerations.

The shelter-in-place decision : all things considered.
Author: Glotzer, David
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.22 (4) November 2007, pp.8 - 12.
In the event of a serious accident, or intentional chemical, or radiological incident, the emergency management system must move in a quick and coordinated manner. Furthermore, emergency management must be prepared to advise the public on how to best protect themselves, and be able to manage large number of casualties among disaster victims and the worried well. The ability of emergency management to coordinate a response is based upon their ability in pre-incident planning and preparedness education, to quickly detect an incident, to determine its impact and spread rate, and to inform the public whether the best protective action is to evacuate or to shelter-in-place. Effectiveness of the response should be optimized through community education.

The Sichuan earthquake
Author: Bukhari, Kneez
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, pp.18-21.
Reports on the May 12th earthquake that struck in Sichuan Province in China. The first tells what happened. A second report tells of the work done by the Japan Disaster Relief Team, the first foreign rescue team to be let into China after the disaster. Battalion Chief Osamu Hara of the Tokyo Fire Department outlines their activities. A small inset panel tells how Nicholas Hefner and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) provided clean water.
 
The use of applied drama in crisis management : an empirical psychological study.
Author: Arciuli, Joanne
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (3) August 2008, pp.3 - 13.
This empirical study examined whether role based participation in dramatic scenarios enables a first-hand understanding of decision-making under pressure in a team situation.

Total flood warning systems.
Author: Barry, Mary
Australian Journal of Emergency Management, Vol.23 (3) August 2008, pp.21 - 27.
As the control agency for flood response in Victoria VICSES commissioned Molino Stewart consultants to review its current and future role in Flood Warning across Victoria. This paper provides an overview of the key findings and recommendations on how to ensure Victoria has a robust flood warning system across the State.
 
Tsunami-resilient communities' development in Indonesia through educative actions : lessons from the 26 December 2004 tsunami
Author: Morin, Julie
Disaster Prevention and Management : an international journal, Vol.17, No.3, 2008, p.430-446.
The aim of this paper is to encourage the development of tsunami-resilient communities essentially through educative actions. The paper is the result of a two-year successful collaboration between interdisciplinary scientific teams and an NGO team. It demonstrates that an efficient prevention scheme can be implemented through this kind of collaboration.

Understanding analytical frameworks in crisis management.
Author: Eaton, Ed
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.2 (1) 2007, pp.65 - 73.
Several specific frameworks have been identified that be useful for crisis management teams to use in assessing a situation. These analytical frameworks can be used as a way to view the various aspects of any crisis of incident with the aim of discovering blind-spots and challenging assumptions. This paper looks at six different analytical frameworks: Outcome analysis; Control analysis; Time-phased analysis; Aspects analysis; Stakeholder analysis; Intent/impact analysis. Each is examined to define the tool and to determine how it can be used. A case study is offered for each framework to show how it can be applied to an actual crisis.

Usage of an early warning and information system web-site for real-time seismicity in Iceland
Author: Bird, Deanne
Natural Hazards, Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Vol.47, No.1, October 2008, pp.75-94.
Iceland has been subjected to destructive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions throughout history. Such events are often preceded by changes in earthquake activity over varying timescales. The EWIS Web-site is accessed immediately after the occurrence of a local earthquake, whereas distant, unfelt earthquakes generate gradual interest prompted by media bulletins and, possibly, other contributing factors.
 
Use of traditional knowledge in emergency management for tsunami hazard : a case study from Washington State, USA.
Author: Becker, Julia
Disaster Prevention and Management, an international journal, Vol.17, No.4, 2008, p.488-502.
The purpose of this paper is to explore a case study in Washington State, USA where traditional stories (“oral tradition”) are being used in a contemporary context. Traditional knowledge is a system of experiential knowledge acquired through the continual observation of and interaction with the environment. This form of knowledge is still held by many societies and can provide an important contribution in emergency management for natural hazards.

Vulnerability, "innocent" disasters and the imperative of cultural understanding
Author: Cannon, Terry
Disaster Prevention and Management : an international journal, Vol.17, No.3, 2008, p.350-357.
The purpose of this paper is to make an argument that there are different types of social construction of disasters. The focus is on disasters triggered by natural hazards. Discussion of different types of social construction of disasters and the need to include analysis of cultural and psychological aspects in disaster risk reduction is of absolutely crucial importance in reducing the impact of natural hazards.

Working to a unified standard
Author: Hunter, Gordon
Crisis Response Journal, Vol.4, Issue 4, 2008, pp.24-25.
Working to a unified standard :
Author: Hunter, Gordon
The UK Gold command system should be reviewed in conjunction with the US National Incident Management System, says Gordon Hunter, with the next step being a common European Standard for incident management.

You can't manage what you can't measure : benchmarking business continuity.
Author: Green, Chris
The Business Continuity Journal, Vol.1 (1) 2006, pp.9 - 20.
Chris Green suggests that, in order to demonstrate that business continuity management is a value-adding activity, organisations need to measure their BCM competence and capability. To that end, this paper describes the methods used in one major European bank to measure, monitor - and hence improve - that capability. The primary method described is an internal benchmarking exercise conducted across the bank's varied businesses worldwide. The second method described is one used to evaluate the depth and success of business continuity testing and exercising.