Identifying the Impact-Related Data Uses and Gaps for Hydrometeorological Impact Forecasts and Warnings

Impact Forecasts and Warnings (IFW) are key to resilience for hydrometeorological hazards. Communicating the potential social, economic, and environmental hazard impacts allows individuals and communities to adjust their plans and better prepare for the consequences of the hazard. IFW systems require additional knowledge about impacts, and underlying vulnerability and exposure. Lack of data or knowledge about impacts, vulnerability, and exposure has been identified as a challenge for IFW implementation. In this study, we begin to address this challenge by developing an understanding of the data needs and uses for IFWs. Using Grounded Theory Methodology, we conducted a series of interviews with users and creators of hazard, impact, vulnerability, and exposure data (e.g., warning services, forecasters, meteorologists, hydrologists, emergency managers, data specialists, risk modellers) to understand where these data are needed and used in the Warning Value Chain, a concept used to represent and understand the flow of information amongst actors in the warning chain (Golding et al., 2019). In support of existing research, we found a growing need for creating, gathering, and using impact, vulnerability, and exposure data for IFWs. Furthermore, we identified different approaches for impact forecasting and defining impact thresholds using objective models and subjective impact-oriented discussions depending on the data available. We also provided new insight into a growing need to identify, model, and warn for social and health impacts, which have typically taken a back seat to modelling and forecasting physical and infrastructure impacts. Our findings on the data needs and uses within IFW systems will help guide their development and provide a pathway for identifying specific relevant data sources.

Competing Public Values Amidst Fiscal Crisis: The Case of State Takeover System in Michigan

The article analyzes contested reasoning and public values conflict in the state takeover of municipalities via emergency managers (EM) to address fiscal crisis. We investigate the following questions: (1) which public values are associated with the EM intervention strategies?; (2) is there a competition among those values? A content analysis of nearly 500 official documents in four Michigan municipalities reveals that EM interventions reflect a strive for fiscal accountability and legality at the expense of democratic values. This study contributes to the growing body of research on public values, and it advances our understanding of decision-making processes under stress.

An Information Visualisation Tool for Emergency Management

<p>The development of computerised information systems for large scale emergency management is lacking. These systems could present information and support information transfer across shifts. This is important as providing timely information is critical for efficient search and rescue operations in an emergency environment. This thesis contributes the design and prototype implementation for an interactive visualisation, called RescueTime, which is then evaluated. The evaluation showed that RescueTime is as effective as a traditional tool used by emergency managers. This demonstrates the feasibility of designing and developing larger information systems, for the purpose of emergency management.</p>

An Information Visualisation Tool for Emergency Management

<p>The development of computerised information systems for large scale emergency management is lacking. These systems could present information and support information transfer across shifts. This is important as providing timely information is critical for efficient search and rescue operations in an emergency environment. This thesis contributes the design and prototype implementation for an interactive visualisation, called RescueTime, which is then evaluated. The evaluation showed that RescueTime is as effective as a traditional tool used by emergency managers. This demonstrates the feasibility of designing and developing larger information systems, for the purpose of emergency management.</p>

Demographic and Psychological Factors and Preparation for Earthquakes

<p>New Zealand, like many countries, is at risk from a number of natural disasters including flooding, volcanoes, and earthquakes. The risk of exposure to such disasters over the course of a lifetime is substantial (Norris, 1992). Despite this, many New Zealanders are unprepared for the consequences of a natural disaster; nearly a quarter of New Zealand homes have flaws which could see them seriously damaged or detached from their foundations in a major earthquake (Ansell & Taber, 1996). Recent research suggests that psychological variables contribute to people's lack of preparation for natural disasters. A limitation, however, of much of this research has been the lack of attention paid to the psychometric quality of the instruments used to measure key constructs. The present investigation aimed to examine the relationships between different dimensions of personality and earthquake preparation in a large sample of Wellington residents using psychometrically sound measures. Measures of locus of control, risk, and earthquake preparation were first evaluated in a series of studies using both university students and Wellington residents. These questionnaires were then administered, along with items pertaining to the construct of unrealistic optimism, to a total of 358 Wellington residents. The results showed that locus of control, risk precaution, home ownership, and length of residence were significant predictors of earthquake preparation. Moreover, people exhibited evidence of unrealistic optimism, as demonstrated by both a belief that they were better prepared for a major earthquake than an acquaintance, or other Wellingtonians, and by a belief that they were personally less likely than others to suffer injury in a major earthquake. The implications of these results for emergency managers are discussed and several recommendations are made.</p>

Demographic and Psychological Factors and Preparation for Earthquakes

<p>New Zealand, like many countries, is at risk from a number of natural disasters including flooding, volcanoes, and earthquakes. The risk of exposure to such disasters over the course of a lifetime is substantial (Norris, 1992). Despite this, many New Zealanders are unprepared for the consequences of a natural disaster; nearly a quarter of New Zealand homes have flaws which could see them seriously damaged or detached from their foundations in a major earthquake (Ansell & Taber, 1996). Recent research suggests that psychological variables contribute to people's lack of preparation for natural disasters. A limitation, however, of much of this research has been the lack of attention paid to the psychometric quality of the instruments used to measure key constructs. The present investigation aimed to examine the relationships between different dimensions of personality and earthquake preparation in a large sample of Wellington residents using psychometrically sound measures. Measures of locus of control, risk, and earthquake preparation were first evaluated in a series of studies using both university students and Wellington residents. These questionnaires were then administered, along with items pertaining to the construct of unrealistic optimism, to a total of 358 Wellington residents. The results showed that locus of control, risk precaution, home ownership, and length of residence were significant predictors of earthquake preparation. Moreover, people exhibited evidence of unrealistic optimism, as demonstrated by both a belief that they were better prepared for a major earthquake than an acquaintance, or other Wellingtonians, and by a belief that they were personally less likely than others to suffer injury in a major earthquake. The implications of these results for emergency managers are discussed and several recommendations are made.</p>

A cadre of professionals: Credentialing emergency managers to meet the disaster challenges of the future

This paper underscores the need for the emergency management field to professionalize further and mentions how this could be accomplished through direct state licensing, Associate Emergency Manager and/or Certified Emergency Manager credentialing, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Independent Study courses, or other state certifications such as the Illinois Professional Emergency Manager credential, in that particular state and as found in other states. This paper identifies the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and then reviews Drabek’s recommendations on how emergency managers may hone their professionalism through the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities. The authors of this work add professional experience and in-person training to this list and discuss the implications of findings for research and practice by identifying several questions that will need to be addressed in the future. The overall recommendation of our article is that more efforts will be required to understand professionalism through research activities and collaboration across all types of emergency management organizations at the local, state, and federal levels—especially if we ever truly expect to enter licensing like professions such as medicine, law, engineering, accountancy, and teaching.

Tornado fatalities in context: 1995–2018

Tornadoes account for the third highest average annual weather-related fatality rate in the United States. Here tornado fatalities are examined as rates within the context of multiple physical and social factors using tornado level information including population and housing units within killer tornado damage paths. Fatality rates are further evaluated across annual, monthly, and diurnal categories, as well as between fatality locations and across age and sex categories. The geographic distribution of fatalities are then given by season, time of day, and residential structures. Results can be used by emergency managers, meteorologists, and planners to better prepare for high-impact (i.e. fatality) events and used by researchers as quantitative evidence to further investigate the relationship between tornadoes, climate, and society.

Disaster Planning

As disasters become more frequent and severe worldwide, disaster planning as a human endeavor is more important than ever, with the potential to save millions of lives globally. In this important new book, the author offers a practical, step-by-step guide for writing, implementing, and measuring the quality of your own disaster plan to address any threat with an approach that has been tested in public health and medical settings worldwide. Filling a significant gap in the existing literature, this book offers a comprehensive reference for both the principles and the practice of disaster planning. Access to a 25-lecture training course provides ancillary teaching materials for college level courses, offering added value for academic readers. An essential resource for public health graduates and anyone responsible for the management of disasters, primarily public health professionals, emergency physicians, first responders, and emergency managers.