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’
From my fellow blogger, Eric Holdeman: Seattle: You Need an Earthquake Relocation Plan. “Most people have no idea how close they are to calamity.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Trump Leaves Science Jobs Vacant, Troubling Critics.
On the fourth floor of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, the staff of the White House chief technology officer has been virtually deleted, down from 24 members before the election to, by Friday, only one.
Scores of departures by scientists and Silicon Valley technology experts who advised Mr. Trump’s predecessor have all but wiped out the larger White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
A few months ago, I posted an article about applying CERT characteristics in a business setting. Here is an interesting example of the secondary benefits of training for disaster response: Israelis, Palestinians, Jordanians jointly train to provide emergency aid during earthquakes.
Working together is the name of the game in a project now underway in Israeli, Palestinian Authority and Jordanian communities. The joint project, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), aims to train local residents as first responders in case of an earthquake.
New web-based training initiative from FEMA: You Are the Help Until Help Arrives.. Source of this information is the Homeland Security Digital Library.
The Diva did a quick review of the videos in this program and found them rather elementary. They might be helpful for use by a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) chapter or and other local preparedness organizations in they they help start conversations and thoughts about preparedness. But more specific skills and techniques. such as a first aid course, should be offered.
From an exhibit in Israel, see: After the deluge: Smart designs offer relief for disaster victims. A new exhibit at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art shows off creative solutions to earthquakes and tsunamis, floods and tornados
Recovery Diva 