U.S. disasters in first 3 months of 2017 cost record $5B. Given these facts, is this the right time to endure major cutbacks in federal funding regarding EPA, NOAA, FEMA and other agencies?
Disasters in First Quarter of 2017 Set Record
Reply
Author Archives: recoverydiva
New Resilience Study
New resilience study helps governments prevent disaster-related loss
Hurricanes, wildfires, tsunamis, and other disasters cannot be stopped, but countries can plan for them — something some areas of the world seem to do better than others, according to a new study. In the study, thirty-eight factors that affect a country’s resilience were derived from national and international databases, and the researchers used these databases to grade the resilience of each country and continent and develop a comprehensive index that includes indicators such as the number of disasters and their death tolls, as well as an area’s population, infrastructure, economy and educational system
Earthquake Early Warning for Transit Systems
From the Homeland Security Newswire: Earthquake early warning vital for city transit. |
Although no one can reliably predict earthquakes, today’s technology is advanced enough to rapidly detect seismic waves as an earthquake begins, calculate the maximum expected shaking, and send alerts to surrounding areas before damage can occur. This technology is known as “earthquake early warning” (EEW). An EEW system called “ShakeAlert” is being developed and tested for the West Coast of the United States.
“EEW is a game changer with respect to postdisaster recovery,” Johnson said. “By using EEW to minimize derailments, lives will be saved, injuries will be reduced, and the impacts to a postdisaster-stressed medical system will be minimized.”
Securing Critical Sectors
From the HSDL, this account of a new report on critical infrastructure by MIT: Keeping America Safe: Toward More Secure Networks for Critical Sectors
17 States Challenge Trump Climate Change Actions
Coalition of 17 states challenges Trump over climate change policy.
A coalition led by New York state insists the Trump administration has a legal obligation to regulate the emission of carbon pollution: ‘The law is clear’
Seattle Still Not Ready for Big Quake
From my fellow blogger, Eric Holdeman: Seattle: You Need an Earthquake Relocation Plan. “Most people have no idea how close they are to calamity.”
Heated Discussion at Congressional Hearing on Baton Rouge Flooding
Louisiana flood response blasted by Congress after state, FEMA ‘fell on its face,’ lawmaker says.
Tension over Louisiana’s recovery from last year’s catastrophic floods became the focus of a Congressional hearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday, with Republican congressmen repeatedly taking aim at Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.
The committee chairman from Utah asked Edwards if he was “clueless;” a representative from Georgia repeatedly asked Edwards why he didn’t call for an evacuation ahead of the floods; a North Carolina congressman demanded more information about the state’s process of finding an administrator to oversee upcoming housing recovery programs.
The hearing was billed as a deep-dive into the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to the floods nearly eight months into the recovery process, but most of the heat came down on the state.
New Recovery Discussion Group
The Diva and friends just created a new facebook group — Disaster Recovery Community — in an effort to form a group interested in discussing long term recovery from disasters. It is aimed at researchers and practitioners in the field.
In Memoriam: Enrico L. Quarantelli
Henry Quarantelli was one of the founding fathers of disaster research. Details of his life and work are available from the Disaster Research Center at the University of Delaware.
Update: Here is a fuller bio and mention of some suggested organizations designated for donations in Henry’s memory. Plus a way to send comments to his colleagues.
Index of Digital Resources
This blog is in its 7th year and during that time it has published more than 3,000 postings. Recently we compiled an Index of Recent Digital Resources in Emergency Management for 2016. This 25 page index is a compilation of notable recent resources, many of which have not yet made it into books and formal research publications. The selection was made entirely from postings in this blog.
The index contains the most significant postings of 2016, with annotations and direct URLs. These digital resources can be used for reference or to supplement or replace textbooks.
The Index is an excellent resource for consultants, academics, and students. A copy can be yours immediately, if you donate $25. or more to the blog. The special student rate is $10. Please use the Donate Now feature on the top right-hand corner of the homepage.
Even if you do not want the index, please consider making a donation to the blog.
Recovery Diva 