Recovery Diva

Disaster Tourism

recoverydiva — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:53:23 +0000

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As you will see from this article, there are those who see opportunity and those who resent efforts to cash in on damage, pain, and suffering after a major devastating disaster. See this article re Joplin, MO in the Chicago Tribune.

This is not a new phenomenon, since it has been going on for years in New Orleans.

Feel free to weigh in with your your views – would you welcome it as a business opportunity or despise the exploitation?

Tornado tourism: Should Joplin, Mo., mourn – or cash in? (csmonitor.com)
‘Tornado tourism’ stirs anger in Joplin (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
Talk of ‘tornado tourism’ stirs anger in Joplin (mercurynews.com)

Please patronize our sponsor: disasterbookstore.com

New Report on Weather-Related Disasters

recoverydiva — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:55:44 +0000

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In the Path of the Storm; Global Warming, Extreme Weather, and the Impacts of Weather-Related Disasters in the U.S. Feb. 18, 2012. EnvironmentAmerica.org.

Human Cognitive Performance Suffers After Natural Disasters

recoverydiva — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:34:13 +0000

In an article titled Natural Disasters Influence Mental Mistakes, the site PychCentral provides a short account of a sessiion on Human Cognitive Performance Suffers Following National Disasters, delivered at the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society; February 2012.

The Society has provided an abstract: Human Factors article. Note that the sample size is quite small, but perhaps more research will be done on this topic in the future. Some excerpts from the news article follow:

A new study finds that survivors of natural disasters may experience intellectual challenges in addition to stress and anxiety. This mental decline may cause survivors to make serious errors in their daily lives.

Experts say attention to these phenomena is important given the prevalence of hurricanes, tornados and earthquakes.

The study on how cognitive performance can decline after earthquakes is published by New Zealand researchers in the journal Human Factors.

In the report, University of Canterbury’s William S. Helton and James Head discuss how prior studies have found that more traffic accidents and accident-related fatalities occur following human-made disasters such as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Experts believe the mishaps are due to increased cognitive impairment that can lead to higher stress levels and an increase in intrusive thoughts. However, until this time, no research has been conducted on the effects of natural disasters on cognitive performance.

Rebuilding with future generations in mind

recoverydiva — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:45:12 +0000

In today’s NY times, there is an interesting article about rebuilding decisions in Japan.

Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning- 2nd posting

recoverydiva — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:48:58 +0000

Los Angeles, CA

I just learned about this UASI -funded effort in LA. For details about their ongoing recovery planning efforts as well as other projects completed and underway via the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant project, go to this local site.

Use this link for the Feb. 2012 report on the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant program. [Thanks to All Hands Consulting for the link.] The report is 19 pages.

Fairfax County, VA:

Fairfax County just completed its pre-disaster recovery plan, which I was told is the first in the country to follow the format and recovery support functions of the National Disaster Recovery Framework. With support from federal grant funding, and the help of a consulting firm, the county has just published its recovery plan. (Note the download is 368 pages.)

When I have had the chance to read and analyze it, I will add comments.

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Please patronize our sponsor: DisasterBookstore.com

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Strategic Foresight Initiative – FEMA

recoverydiva — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:25:22 +0000

FEMA recently issued a document titled “Crisis Response and Disaster Resilience 2030; Forging Strategic Action in
an Age of Uncertainty.” URL: http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=4995

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For an overview of the contents of their work on strategic foresight planning, see the podcast and slide set from the presentation done by David Kaufman, Director of Policy for FEMA, in his recent presentation on EM Forum ( www.emforum.org). The direct URL to the slide set is at: http://www.emforum.org/SFI/120126SFIbrief.pdf

FEMA Strategic Foresight Initiative Releases New Report, To Host Webinar (geodatapolicy.wordpress.com)

Was 2011 the Costliest Year for Disasters? – article just published

recoverydiva — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:05:33 +0000

While I blogged about this topic some weeks ago, see this article which provided a fuller discussion of the disaster experiences in 2011, which was just published in the new issue of EM Magazine.

Some Health Resources

recoverydiva — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:09:32 +0000

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New Report on the Domestic Natural Disaster Health Workforce, released by NDMPH
It is 194 pages long.

Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event; CDC website.

The effects of a disaster, terrorist attack, or other public health emergency can be long-lasting, and the resulting trauma can reverberate even with those not directly affected by the disaster. This page provides general strategies for promoting mental health and resilience. These strategies were developed by various organizations based on experiences in prior disasters. Site produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, 2011″

recoverydiva — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:25:30 +0000

Image by joannamkay via Flickr

This recently issued report may be of interest: Ready or Not; Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters and Bioterrorism, 2011. (92 pp.) Sponsored by the Trust for America’s Health.

Thanks to Bill Cumming for pointing out this report.

Report: Ready or Not? Protecting the Public from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism (bespacific.com)
Bioterrorism, Health-Emergency Preparedness Eroding: Report (blogs.wsj.com)
Report Finds U.S. Poorly Prepared For Bioterrorism (blogs.wsj.com)

5 High Level Federal Recovery Job Openings

recoverydiva — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:18:02 +0000

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It is not often I get the chance to post some key job openings for those interested in disaster recovery, but today is one of those days!

FEMA has several vacancies for Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinntor positions (GS 14/15) in some of their regions. Details about the positions, which are open through the 15^th of Feb. are at this website on USAjobs.

Good luck!

Recovery Diva

Disaster Tourism

Related articles

New Report on Weather-Related Disasters

Human Cognitive Performance Suffers After Natural Disasters

Rebuilding with future generations in mind

Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning- 2nd posting

Strategic Foresight Initiative – FEMA

Related articles

Was 2011 the Costliest Year for Disasters? – article just published

Some Health Resources

“Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism, 2011″

Related articles

5 High Level Federal Recovery Job Openings