EMERGENCY PARTNER POSTINGS

Volume 3, No. 11

July 1999

WEBEX II Planned for December '99 -- EIIP Seeking Participating Community:
Last November, during the Virtual Fire and Rescue Exposition, hosted by National Fire & Rescue Magazine, the EIIP conducted a successful experiment in using live chat to conduct an online functional exercise. Five chat rooms were used to simulate duty stations, and a fast-paced experience ensued, with individual volunteers from all over the U.S. and Canada filling various roles for the fictional Central City. (See http://www.emforum.org/webex/ for details about last year's event.)

The EIIP is pleased to announce that it will host a similar online exercise the evening of December 2, 1999, but hopes to involve a real community with real plans and role players for this year's event, and is currently beginning a search for a participating jurisdiction. Due to the venue, (which is being co-sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA), an exercise scenario involving response by fire, search & rescue, hazmat, and/or EMS personnel is anticipated, possibly a Y2K-related event. The exercise will be conducted in a public forum, and VFRE attendees will be invited to observe, or to play minor roles

The selected community should have good Internet access capabilities, be able to commit a sufficient number of role players, as well as the necessary time for planning. An exercise design team will be formed, and meet one evening per week beginning in August. A commitment from a state level emergency management agency to participate in support of the community, as well as a neighboring jurisdiction would be highly desirable.

In addition to a participating community, other volunteers will be needed to serve as evaluators and coordinators. Participants in last year's exercise will be given preference. If you or your community would be interested in participating, please contact Amy Sebring, asebring@emforum, by July 15.

A Different Approach Needed:
Sustainable development, disaster vulnerability, and mitigation were terms frequently heard and discussed via the Virtual Forum the past few weeks. Sessions devoted to both domestic and international perspectives on sustainable development, as well as points made by the IDNDR Secretariat Director as wrap up to their recent Internet conference, emphasized global consensus on the need to take a different approach to disaster prevention and management. The recommendation to "spend more money before disaster strikes and invest in disaster preparedness," was also made this past month by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in their 1999 World Disasters Report (see http://www.ifrc.org/pubs/wdr/nr.htm). For further information, please see transcripts in the EIIP Virtual Library Archives as well as the information below about the Costa Rica Hemispheric meeting and Dennis Mileti's new book -- all relate to the topic and timely sessions in the EIIP Virtual Forum.)

EIIP Road Trip:
The EIIP was represented in the Hemispheric Meeting of the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (June 1-4) held in San José, Costa Rica. More than 650 persons attended from most of the countries in the Hemisphere -- official delegates, NGOs, scientists, community leaders, elected officials, etc.

The efforts and outcome of the Hemispheric Meeting of the IDNDR are significant and of interest to the Partners, the Red River Basin Disaster Information Network (RRBDIN), the Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN), and the entire emergency management profession for the following reasons:

• As part of the global community, we all share similar hazards, risks and problems.
• Disaster impacts are intolerably high in terms of human suffering and financial loss.
• Disaster reduction, implementation of prevention, mitigation and preparedness measures, are desirable.
• Strong proactive measures are needed to decrease the negative impact of disasters.
• Disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness as well as emergency management must be institutionalized at local, state, national and global levels.
• Regional networks are seen as a means of strengthening disaster reduction initiatives and developing a culture of preparedness, prevention, and mitigation.

To read the full San José Declaration and Recommendations, please see the following URL: http://www.disaster.info.desastres.net/idndr/hemiscr/ig_decla.htm.

RRBDIN Update:
The Red River Basin Disaster Information Network (RRBDIN) presented an Internet workshop on June 10 with Brad Crabtree, Program Coordinator, North Dakota Consensus Council. The discussion focused on the International Flood Mitigation Initiative launched last December. The initiative involves regional policy-makers, stakeholders, and US and Canadian citizens to move communities towards effective, long-term disaster prevention and mitigation.

The RRBDIN is sponsored by the International Joint Commission, the Global Disaster Information Network, and the Red River Basin Board with support by the EIIP. Workshop transcripts and related materials are available via the Web site. http://www.emforum.org/redriver/

The Round Tables are Partner-led discussions. Four of our Partners, listed below, are currently hosting a Round Table discussion each month. We commend and appreciate these organizations for their participation in the Partnership. Please support their efforts each Tuesday as well as our formal sessions on Wednesdays.

July 1999 Round Tables - Tuesdays - 12:00 Noon EDT:
July 6: FEMA Community & Family Preparedness (CFP)
July 13: State and Local Emergency Management Data Users Group (SALEMDUG)
July 20: Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI)
July 27: International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)

July 1999 Formal Sessions - Wednesdays - 12:00 Noon EDT:
July 7: Virtual Classroom - Bomb Threat Management: Presenter Jim McGinty, Protection Planning, Chairman of Police Officers Tactical Operations Association
July 14: Virtual Library -- Live from Boulder! Hazard Research Applications Workshop
July 21: EIIP Panel discussion - Humanitarian Relief in Kosovo
July 28: Technology Arena - Public Safety Wireless Network

The following submitted the agreement form to become formal Partners and are listed on the EIIP Virtual Forum web site, with links to Websites if available (see http://www.emforum.org/partners/partic.htm). Each Point of Contact (POC) has been welcomed to the EIIP and encouraged to become an active participant and worker in the Partnership:

The Marasco Newton Group, Ltd.: Steven Charvat, CEM scharvat@marasconewton.com

Interested in joining the EIIP? New Partners are welcome; Partnership Criteria and Agreement Form may be found at the following URL: http://www.emforum.org/partners/criteria.htm

EIIP Logo Accessible to Partners

We continue to add new Partners to the EIIP. Part of the EIIP Memorandum of Agreement states that we will link to each other's web sites, if one exists. In response to a request of a new Partner for the EIIP logo, we have made the logo easily accessible and in an appropriate size for any of our Partners' use at: http://www.emforum.org/images/ic_forum.gif

Twenty-five years ago, geographer Gilbert F. White and sociologist J. Eugene Haas published a pioneering report on the US's ability to withstand and respond to natural disasters. At that time, research on disasters primarily involved physical science and engineering. As White and Haas pointed out in "Assessment of Research on Natural Hazards" (1975), little attempt had been made to tap the social sciences to better understand the economic, social, and political significance of extreme natural events.

Recently, more than 100 hazards researchers revisited the work of White and Haas to reassess the state of natural hazards knowledge in the US by conducting the Second US Assessment of Research and Applications for Natural Hazards. Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and several federal agencies, researchers pondered the following question: "Why, despite all our knowledge about the causes of, consequences from, and remedies for disasters, do losses continue to rise?"

Their findings are now available in a summary volume, "Disasters by Design: A Reassessment of Natural Hazards in the United States" by Dennis S. Mileti. Among their many conclusions, the contributors to "Disasters by Design" found that one of the central problems in coping with disasters has been the belief that we can use technology to control nature and "solve" problems posed by natural hazards. Losses from hazards result from shortsighted and narrow conceptions of the relationship of humans to the natural environment, and poor choices regarding where and how we construct our communities.

To redress these shortcomings, the researchers recommend that the US shift to a policy of sustainable hazard mitigation, a concept that links wise management of natural resources with local economic and social resiliency. To achieve sustainability, communities must take responsibility for choosing where and how development proceeds. "Disasters by Design" outlines objectives to reduce losses and advances several specific approaches for mitigating the effects of natural hazards.

Disasters by Design: A Reassessment of Natural Hazards in the United States, by Dennis Mileti (1999, 376 pp.) $47.95 ($38.36 + shipping if ordered online) from National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Lockbox 285, Washington, DC 20055; (800)624-6242 or (202)334-3313; fax: (202)334-2451; http://www.nap.edu/bookstore.

Two prior publications from this project are also available from NAP. They may be viewed/printed and/or ordered online (20% discount):

*Cooperating With Nature: Confronting Natural Hazards with Land-Use Planning for Sustainable Communities, edited by Raymond J. Burby (1998, 368 pp., $38.36) http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/records/0309063620.html.

*Paying the Price: The Status and Role of Insurance Against Natural Disasters in the United States, edited by Howard Kunreuther and Richard J. Roth Sr. (1998, 320 pp., $38.36) http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/records/0309063612.html.

Finally, a complete, extended bibliography for "Disasters by Design" is available from the Natural Hazards Center Web site: http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/assessbib.html.

EPA: Use Multiple Data Sources for Safer Emergency Response

EPA recently alerted emergency responders not to rely solely on material safety data sheets (MSDSs) for information about on-site chemicals. According to EPA, "MSDSs may not provide sufficient information to effectively and safely respond to accidental releases." EPA suggests following the "Rule of Three"-- consult three sources of information before a response decision is made. The full alert (6 pages) may be downloaded in PDF format from http://www.epa.gov/ceppo/pubs/respnd1.pdf.

EENet Schedule for July '99:

July 7, 2:00-3:00 PM EDT: Classroom Connection "Three Perspectives on Y2K" - Shannon Porterfield, State of Texas; Paul Barboza, Computer Technology Associates; and Steve Davis, Davis Logic, offer suggestions to identify and resolve potential Y2K problems before December, 1999.

July 14, 2:00-4:00 PM EDT: Y2K Community & Family Preparedness Focus -- Looks at Year 2000 issues from a community and family preparedness perspective. Features Lake Havasu, Arizona; few days after the broadcast, the program will be available "on-demand" for 30 days, via the Internet.

July 21, 2:00-3:30 PM EDT: National Alert Broadcast -- FEMA monthly Video magazine on emergency management activities and issues.

July 28, 2:00-4:00 PM EDT: Gems from EENet "Terrorism Update" -Repeat of national award-winning program aired on December 19, 1996.

See http://www.fema.gov/home/EMI/eenet.htm for further info.

LEPC Outreach Tapes Available:

Series of three audiotapes for three different audiences:
· Elected Officials - uses humor to communicate need to support work of LEPCs;
· LEPC Chairpersons - looks at focus and mission of LEPCs; and
· LEPC Members - communicates EPA's appreciation of their commitment to safety.
Send email to brown.alan@epa.gov or call Alan Brown, EPA Region III (215)814-3302.

Natural Disaster Management:

NDM is the official commemorative volume for the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), 1990-2000, United Nations initiative to reduce the negative effects of natural disasters. http://www.ndm.co.uk/home.html

At Last! Y2K Celebrations - Neighborhood Block Parties: Several block parties are occurring around the country; this one from John Steiner, Boulder, Colorado. "… potluck and barbecue, with name tags, including addresses, and people checking out, correcting, and adding to the list. It was an effortless effort. We've decided to throw another party toward the end of July and then again around Labor Day. We've thought of a variety of things we could do and play together, including Y2K preparations."

Survival Guide Available: The Securities Industry Association in New York has released a survival guide for US financial services companies to develop contingency plans for Y2K. http://www.sia.org

Antrix Offers Y2K Freebies: Year 2000 budget low? Antrix Corporation offers a free remediation utility, Data Auditor, that checks computer databases for bugs on AS/4000 systems. Download software and user's manual at http://www.antrixcorp.com .

Post-Y2K Email Tracking: ActiveNames Inc. has created a free Internet service that tracks dynamic email addresses. If a user's email address disappears first of the year, ActiveNames will route mail to an emergency account specified by the user. Download software at http://www.activenames.net/y2k .

Y2K Enterprise View: Geared to the business executive, this site provides big view of Y2K issue and how it could impact a company's bottom line. Resources and links on how to prepare for and survive this problem that could adversely affect businesses. http://www.year2000center.com

Car Questions Top Y2K List: Users visiting an online database of Y2K-compliance information for consumers most often seek information about cars; yet only 17% of auto manufacturers provide such information on their Web sites, according to http://www.y2kbase.com .

Targets Health Care & Environmental Safety: The Center for Y2K & Society site lists actions that community leaders, groups and consumers can take for Y2K and features templates for proclamations and draft laws for oversight and independent auditing of compliance. The Center plans to donate more than $250,000 to nonprofit organizations working on Y2K issues. http://www.y2kcenter.org

NYSE to Close Early: Although Wall Street successfully passed Y2K tests, the New York Stock Exchange will close three hours early (1:00 PM EST) on December 31 to give the securities industry a few more hours to settle year-end processing and make last minute preparations. The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. will also close early on New Year's Eve.

DOD Site Targets Y2K Education: The site focuses on correct information to dispel rumors about computer problems. http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/y2k/home.htm

http://www.nssg.gov
New Site Stages Public Debate on Security: The National Security Study Group (NSSG) is conducting a nationwide study that allows the public to discuss the topic while the study goes on. The NSSG is a federal advisory commission authorized under the 1998 Defense Authorization Act to determine what "national security" should include in the 21st century. The NSSG is looking at technology, cultural, environmental and economic factors as well as defense-related issues. The site provides information about the NSSG and its activities, but the most important section is devoted to public interaction: the Debate Forums. The site now features three forums:
· America's Future Forum,
· Future Tech Forum,
· Open Debate Forum, and
· More will be added to address other audiences as needed.

http://www.epa.gov/airnow
EPA Site Makes Smog Data Accessible: This site offers animated maps, health information, pollution-prevention ideas and links to real-time air-quality data from 30 states.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Update:

Safe Room Construction Plans Now Available Online: The files containing plans and specifications for building a safe room inside your house are now available online. The
direct URL for downloading the DWF format files is http://www.fema.gov/mit/shplans/

Developed in collaboration with the Wind Engineering Research Center of Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas," Taking Shelter from the Storm, Building a Safe Room Inside Your House" and the construction plans draw on 25 years of field research by the Texas Tech researchers. Their work has included studies of the performance of buildings following dozens of tornadoes throughout the United States and laboratory testing on the performance of building materials and systems when impacted by airborne debris. The shelters are
designed with saving lives as the primary consideration.

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International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Update:

IAEM Announces New Staff and Prepares for New Leadership: IAEM Headquarters announces that Shari Coffin, who has served as the Editor of the IAEM Bulletin for several years, has taken a full-time position as editor with a company in Reston, Virginia, effective July 1. Watch for official announcement of new IAEM staff person and editor. http://www.iaem.com

W. R. (Billy) Zwerschke, CEM, CFM, Coordinator, Calhoun County Emergency Management, Port Lavaca, Texas, announces his candidacy for IAEM President Elect. Contact Mr. Zwerschke for further info regarding background and qualifications at billyzw.email.msn.com. Election of new officers will take place at the Annual IAEM Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, November 13-16. Phyllis Mann, CEM, Kitsap County Emergency Management, Bremerton, Washington, will be installed as IAEM President at that time.

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National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Update:

NEMA Testifies on Terrorism First Responder Training: NEMA testified at a field hearing at Ft. McClellan, AL, on June 11, 1999 regarding terrorism first responder training. Gary McConnell (GA) testified all terrorism preparedness activities, including training, should be coordinated through the governors and their states in order to ensure a basic level of capability statewide rather than particular areas within a state. NEMA's testimony is available in the file library located on the NEMA web site. http://www.nemaweb.org

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Marasco Newton Group, Ltd. Update:

Introducing Newest Partner: Marasco Newton Group, Ltd., was founded in 1990 with a focus on environmental and transportation programs and information technology. The firm now has more than 300 staff who provide information management and technology consulting; environmental program management and implementation consulting; and management, communication, organizational, and business consulting. http://www.marasconewton.com

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Strohl Systems Update:

Partner Details: Strohl Systems is headquartered in King of Prussia, PA -- products include LDRPS Business Continuity Planning Software, BIA Professional ™ Business Impact Analysis Software, and Incident Manager Command Center Automation Software. Strohl Systems Consulting Division provides consulting services to businesses interested in assessing vulnerabilities and/or constructing business continuity plans. Strohl Systems Education Division provides business continuity educational events and seminars worldwide. http://www.strohlsystems.com

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July 11-14, 1999: Annual IAEM Region IV Conference, Ramada Hotel, Asheville, NC. For further registration information, contact Jerry VeHaun (jvehaun@pipeline.com).

July 16-20, 1999: National Association of Counties Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. Contact Dottie Byars at (202)942-4208.

August 11-16, 1999: 1999 Annual National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) Conference - Des Moines, Iowa, http://www.nemaweb.org.

August 27-31, 1999: Fire-Rescue International '99, Kansas City, MO (703) 273-9815 x338.

September 14-17, 1999: The American Nuclear Society's 7th Topical Meeting on Emergency Preparedness and Response, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

September 20-23, 1999: US EPA Region III 1999 Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Conference, Washington DC. Cost $95. Register http://www.epacepp.com

September 20-24,1999: Annual Disaster Management Workshops, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Engineering Professional Development and Disaster Management Center. For brochure: http://epd.engr.wisc.edu/brochures/8455.html or call: 1-800-462-0876, and request brochure #8455.

September 26-29, 1999: International City/County Management Association Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. Contact Felicia Logan at (202)962-3626.

September 28-29, 1999: Society, Technological Development and the Management of Risk, Centre for Risk & Crisis Management at the University of Sheffield and Bristol Business School, Bristol, UK. Contact Ben.Whitehouse@awe.ac.uk

October 12-14, 1999: IDER / IEPC '99 Conference, The Hague, Netherlands. See web site for further information: http://www.andrich.com/ider/

October 21-24, 1999: National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) Fall Meeting, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Call 888-ASK-NVFC(275-6832).

November 13-16, 1999: International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) 47th Annual Conference & Exhibit, Hyatt Regency, Louisville, KY. Deadline for room reservations October 10; call 1(800)233-1234. See http://www.emassociation.org/conference.html. Email: iaem@aol.com

November 30-December 4, 1999: National League of Cities Annual Conference, Los Angeles, California. Contact NLC Conference Planning and Management at (202) 626-3105.

Surfing Your Family Tree

If you want to locate your ancestors and don't know where to start, boot up your PC. You will find avenues of research that were only dreams a few years ago. For starters, try the following Websites:

• JewishGen Family finder: http://www.jewishgen.org/jgff
• Irene's Genealogy Queries: http://www.thecore.com/hand/genealogy/links/query.html

Europe on a Shoestring

Planning a trip to Europe and need help in figuring the best and most economical way to get around? Visit http://www.ricksteves.com for "Rick Steves' 1999 Guide to European Railpasses."

"Emergency Partner Postings" is a monthly update on progress of the partnership, activities, and services available through Emergency Information Infrastructure Partnership (EIIP) Virtual Forum web site, other electronic sources of information, and articles of interest concerning awareness and use of information technology. The news will be posted on the web site the last week of each month.

We encourage readers to submit articles for this newsletter about use of the Internet for emergency management and other aspects of information technology. Deadline for contributions is the 20th of each month for that month's newsletter. Submit contributions to Avagene Moore, amoore@emforum.org.

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