Brazilian Air Force operations in disaster response – a process analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natália de Brito Oliveira Luiz da Costa ◽  
Tharcisio Cotta Fontainha ◽  
Adriana Leiras
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Process Analysis ◽  
Military Force ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reference Process ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Military

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the status of the current Brazilian regulations regarding the Brazilian Air Force (BAF) operations during disaster response compared with the real BAF operations in the landslides that affected the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2011. This analysis reveals the evolutions and challenges that warrant further discussion, even six years after the deadliest disaster in recent Brazilian history. Design/methodology/approach The research is structured using a case study method and a process approach. The data gathered from official BAF reports and professionals and BAF regulations are compared using a theoretical reference process model as a guide. Findings The spread of documentations and laws that prescribe the BAF operations during disaster response limit the replication of BAF standards in future disasters. Among the 96 processes described in the theoretical reference process model, 12 processes that are identified in the BAF reports and interviews that address the response to the Rio landslides of 2011 remain unaddressed in the BAF regulations. Considering the BAF expertise, three additional processes are suggested for future consideration in the reference process model that guided this research. Research limitations/implications This paper does not discuss the collaborative perspective of BAF operations with other military forces and stakeholders in disaster response. Practical implications The findings are indications of improvement in BAF regulations. Originality/value In addition to providing an analysis of the military force operations in response to a massive disaster, this paper can also serve as a reference for a benchmark discussion of military operations in disaster response.

A status quo analysis of disaster risk reduction policy and legislation in Cameroon

foresight ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.E.A. Ashu ◽  
Dewald Van Niekerk
Keyword(s):  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Disaster Response ◽  
Disaster Risk Reduction ◽  
Qualitative Method ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Disaster Risk ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Development Institutions ◽  
The Status

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the status quo of disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy and legislation in Cameroon. Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative method, this paper examines historical data from sectoral administrative reports, plans, declarations, commitments and speeches, texts and peer-reviewed journals on disaster and risk management in Cameroon for the period 1967-2017. Empirical data from ten selected government sectors were used to analyze the status quo, together with quantitative data collected by using four instruments (i.e. HFA Priority 1 & 4, USAID Toolkit, GOAL Resilience Score and the Checklist on Law and DRR). Findings Findings show that Cameroon largely still practices disaster response through the Department of Civil Protection. Transparency and accountability are the sine qua non of the state, but the lack thereof causes improper implementation of DRR within development institutions. DRR is seen as an ad hoc activity, with the result that there is not effective institutional capacity for implementation. The need to develop a new national DRR framework is evident. Originality/value Analyzing the status quo of DRR in Cameroon could assist with the review and reevaluation of a new DRR framework within the Cameroonian territory.

The concept of trust in disasters: the Slovenian experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 603-615
Author(s):  
Marjan Malesic
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Military

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the level of public trust in disaster response actors, i.e. the government, civilian disaster response institutions, the military, NGOs and the media. Design/methodology/approach The data source is the 2015–2016 Slovenian Public Opinion Survey, which used face-to-face interviews (computer-assisted personal interviewing software), and a standardised instrument (questionnaire). A two-stage probability sampling design with stratification at the first stage was applied. The first stage involved a probability proportional to size selection of 150 small areas (statistical areas), where the size measurement was a the number of adult persons in the Central Population Register. The second stage involved the simple random sampling of 12 persons from each of the 150 primary sampling units. A total of 1,024 adult residents participated in the survey. Findings The findings suggest that trust in the government under normal situations is low; however, it becomes slightly higher during disaster conditions. Civilian disaster response institutions (especially firemen and civil protection), the military and NGOs (humanitarian and other volunteer organisations) are highly trusted before and during disasters. Trust in the authorities and media to inform the public in a timely and comprehensive manner about the disaster is also relatively high. Research limitations/implications Perhaps in another period of research, disaster-related experiences of the population might be different, which could certainly change the survey results about trust. Nevertheless, the main finding that low pre-disaster trust can be recovered during a disaster by adequate performance of the institution is not jeopardised. Originality/value The survey results are original.

Thai charter vote foreshadows post-transition politics

2016 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Party ◽  
Political System ◽  
Prime Minister ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
The Political ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parliamentary Elections ◽  
Authoritarian State ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Military

Subject Outlook for the post-transition political system. Significance The August 7 constitutional referendum will be conducted under tightened controls on political organisation, making a 'yes' vote more likely. Although the Democratic Party criticises the draft for its attempt to return Thailand to a semi-authoritarian state, efforts by deposed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's 'red-shirt' supporters to organise protests offer the only real opposition to the junta's plan. This struggle foreshadows the political system that is likely to emerge after the next parliamentary elections. Impacts Regulatory risk to investors post-transition would be limited: the military, the Democrats and the PTP are pro-business. China will not alter the status quo in its Thai relations, but will need to invest in building ties with the next monarch. Washington will tolerate most eventualities, except a violent crackdown against the military's opponents.

scholarly journals Deployment-to-dwell metrics and supply-based force sustainment

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-21
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Evans ◽  
Gregory Steeger
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Military Force ◽  
Total Force ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Special Operations ◽  
Special Operations Forces ◽  
Combat Readiness

Purpose In the present fast-paced and globalized age of war, special operations forces have a comparative advantage over conventional forces because of their small, highly-skilled units. Largely because of these characteristics, special operations forces spend a disproportionate amount of time deployed. The amount of time spent deployed affects service member’s quality of life and their level of preparedness for the full spectrum of military operations. In this paper, the authors ask the following question: How many force packages are required to sustain a deployed force package, while maintaining predetermined combat-readiness and quality-of-life standards? Design/methodology/approach The authors begin by developing standardized deployment-to-dwell metrics to assess the effects of deployments on service members’ quality of life and combat readiness. Next, they model deployment cycles using continuous time Markov chains and derive closed-form equations that relate the amount of time spent deployed versus at home station, rotation length, transition time and the total force size. Findings The expressions yield the total force size required to sustain a deployed capability. Originality/value Finally, the authors apply the method to the US Air Force Special Operations Command. This research has important implications for the force-structure logistics of any military force.

Iran regional policy will bolster IRGC political power

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Armed Forces ◽  
Military Force ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Defence Budget ◽  
Syrian Civil War ◽  
The Government ◽  
State Group

Significance Iran's armed forces have suffered a number of high-profile casualties in Syria and Iraq in recent weeks. General Mohammad Ali Allah-Dadi was killed in an Israeli airstrike inside Syria in January, while General Hamid Taqavi was killed by the Islamic State group (ISG) in Iraq in late December. Taqavi was the highest-ranking officer to be killed since the Iran-Iraq war ended in 1988. Both men were members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Iran's elite military force that conducts all of Tehran's military operations outside the country's borders. As rising instability threatens Iran's interests, the IRGC has stepped up its deployment across the region, raising the risk of military overstretch. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, the IRGC is at loggerheads with the government of President Hassan Rouhani as nuclear negotiations approach their next deadline. Impacts IRGC dominance in Tehran policy-making will prevent any wider rapprochement with Washington. Resolution to the Syrian civil war will require regional political agreement involving Iran. Tensions with Saudi Arabia are at risk of further escalation. Demands on the defence budget will increase, raising fiscal strain on government.

Reference process model for disaster response operations

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-26
Author(s):  
Tharcisio Cotta Fontainha ◽  
Leandro de Oliveira Silva ◽  
Wesley Moraes de Lira ◽  
Adriana Leiras ◽  
Renata Albergaria de Mello Bandeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Reference Process

Can we mend fences? A model of recovery processes of SME business-to-business relationships

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre Mary Fleming ◽  
Jaana Tähtinen ◽  
Felicity Kelliher
Keyword(s):  
Critical Incident ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Recovery Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recovery Processes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Recovery Narratives ◽  
A Minor ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Business To Business

Purpose This paper aims to develop a process model of business-to-business (B2B) relationship recovery after a transgression has placed the future of the relationship in doubt. The research questions ask, How are relationships recovered? and How does the relationship strength pre-transgression influence the recovery process? Design/methodology/approach The process model is empirically grounded with first-hand narratives of owner managers (OMs) and key personnel of Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Using the critical incident technique, 25 owner and manager interviews in 23 SMEs resulted in 48 recovery narratives. Findings The findings identify four types of outcomes flowing from two potential recovery process paths. The strength of the relationship pre-transgression and the desire to maintain the relationship influence the parties’ actions during the recovery process and the status of the relationship subsequently. Research limitations/implications The authors acknowledge that each narrative in the data are the informants’ construction of the phenomenon. The B2B relationship recovery process model offers OMs and SMEs a blueprint of what to expect, and how they might reach for recovery instead of the relationship ending. Originality/value Prior studies either treat recovery as a minor part of an ending process or focus on a single sub-process, leaving the overall process under-researched. This study contributes to the B2B relationship dynamics discussion with a processual view of the overall recovery process, including recovery sub-processes, paths and temporal outcomes in different types of relationships and takes into account the pre-transgression relationship.

scholarly journals Armenian Church of the Holy Mother of God in Chisinau

Arta ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Sergius Ciocanu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
18Th Century ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Historic Monument ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Military ◽  
The City ◽  
The Temple

The documents attest the presence of an Armenian community in Chisinau since the ‘30s of the 18th century. In the 18th century, the Chisinau Armenians had a place of worship, located on the site of the present Armenian Church, in the “heart” of the city, on the first street parallel to the north-east side of the market square. In 1774, among the Chisinau Armenians, the priest Musuz was mentioned, who served in the Armenian Church. The temple was badly damaged by the fire that engulfed Chisinau during the military operations of 1788. The earthquake destroyed this place of worship on October 14, 1802. In 1803-1804, it was rebuilt in the same place. The construction manager and, possibly, the architect of the holy place, was master Vardan from Iaşi. According to the statistical documents of 1809, three priests and four deacons served in the Armenian church. The cemetery of Armenian community was located near the old Orthodox cemetery of the Mazarache church. However, some more important burials were also done in the churchyard of the Armenian church. During the XIX-XX centuries, the church underwent many alterations and renovations, which changed its appearance. In 1993, by the decision of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, this valuable building of Chisinau was given the status of historic monument.

Ecuador's Gabela case heightens Moreno military woes

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Air Force ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Military Spending ◽  
State Crime ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Military

Subject Miilitary challenges. Significance A multi-party legislative commission on November 16 announced its findings on the death of former air force commander Jorge Gabela and handed the case to the public prosecutors to investigate. The commission declared there was sufficient evidence to suggest his death in 2010 was a state crime and recommended officials linked to the case -- including former President Rafael Correa -- be investigated. The developments come amid allegations of corruption within the military and possible links with dissident Colombian guerrillas, as well as escalating violence on the Ecuador-Colombia border. Impacts Moreno will use the Gabela case to demonstrate his government’s willingness and capacity to investigate corruption. The discovery of connections between the military and FARC dissidents might cause tensions with Colombia’s government and armed forces. Facing pressure to increase military spending, Moreno will need to ensure greater transparency to prevent corrupt practices recurring.

scholarly journals Assessment of the BWB aircraft for military transport

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (5) ◽  
pp. 769-776
Author(s):  
Sajal Kissoon ◽  
Francesco Saverio Mastropierro ◽  
Devaiah K. Nalianda ◽  
Andrew Rolt ◽  
Bobby Sethi
Keyword(s):  
Emission Reduction ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
Military Aircraft ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
Distributed Propulsion ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Military

Purpose The growth in air mobility, rising fuel prices and ambitious targets in emission reduction are some of the driving factors behind research towards more efficient aircraft. The purpose of this paper is to assess the application of a blended wing body (BWB) aircraft configuration with turbo-electric distributed propulsion in the military sector and to highlight the potential benefits that could be achieved for long-range and heavy payload applications. Design/methodology/approach Mission performance has been simulated using a point-mass approach and an engine performance code (TURBOMATCH) for the propulsion system. Payload-range charts were created to compare the performance of a BWB aircraft with various different fuels against the existing Boeing 777-200LR as a baseline. Findings When using kerosene, an increase in payload of 42 per cent was achieved but the use of liquefied natural gas enabled a 50 per cent payload increase over a design range of 7,500 NM. When liquid hydrogen (LH2) is used, the range may be limited to about 3,000 NM by the volume available for this low-density fuel, but the payload at this range could be increased by 137 per cent to 127,000 kg. Originality/value The results presented to estimate the extent to which the efficiency of military operations could be improved by making fewer trips to transport high-density and irregular cargo items and indicate how well the proposed alternatives would compare with present military aircraft. There are no existing NATO aircraft with such extended payload and range capacities. This paper, therefore, explores the potential of BWB aircraft with turbo-electric distributed propulsion as effective military transports.

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