All hazards

Citation

(2004), "All hazards", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 13 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.2004.07313aae.001

All hazards

Below are summaries of some of the recent, most useful publications on hazards and disasters received by the Natural Hazards Center. Due to space limitations, we have not provided descriptions of all the publications. However, all items contain information on how to obtain a copy. A complete bibliography of publications received from 1995 to the present can be found on our Web site: www.colorado.edu/hazards/bib/bib.html

All hazards

2003 World Disaster Report: Focus on Ethics in AidKumarian Press Inc.2003240 pp.$25.00www.kpbooks.com

The 2003 World Disasters Report, prepared by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, examines the ethical dilemmas raised by complex emergencies such as post-conflict situations, natural disasters, and forgotten crises. It analyzes how the political agendas of donors – especially post-11 September 2001 – affect the aid industry, humanitarian principles, and vulnerable people. The report also explores why it took so long for donors to respond to the southern Africa famine, probes the dilemmas facing recovery efforts in Afghanistan, examines why internationally displaced persons are on the international agenda, and discusses why the issues regarding economic (and environmental) migrants remain poorly understood.

Introduction to Emergency Management

Haddow, G.D. and Bullock J.A.Butterworth-Heinemann/Elsevier Science2003272 pp.ISBN 075067892$49.95 (£28.50)www.bhusa.com

Introduction to Emergency Management is a practical reference for professionals and students who need to understand the process of disaster response planning and mitigation. The book describes the world's leading emergency management agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), covering its history, organization, programs, and operations as well as the Federal Response Plan (FRP). The authors examine the roles, responsibilities, and interrelationship among FEMA, state and local emergency management systems, and other critical partners. They also explain the government emergency resources available before, during, and after crises. The text includes a chapter on terrorism and the events of 11 September 2001, and reviews their impacts on disaster management and emergency planning in the future. The volume includes information on the Department of Homeland Security and several detailed appendices that provide a list of organizations involved in disaster management, a directory of disaster management and terrorism Web sites, a glossary of disaster management terms and acronyms, and a compendium of domestic and international disaster statistics.

State Liability Laws for Charitable Organizations and Volunteers2001117 pp.Free

Copies can be downloaded from the Nonprofit Risk Management Center Web site: www.nonprofitrisk.org. For more information, contact the Nonprofit Risk Management Center, 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 785-3891; Fax: (202) 785-3891.

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness in Foodservice Operations

Puckett, R.P. and Norton L.C.2003100 pp.Non-member price $33.00; member price $25.00

Available from the American Diabetic Association, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; (312) 899-0040; Web site: www.eatright.org/Public/ProductCatalog/SearchableProducts/104_8862.cfm

This volume explores the role of foodservice professionals in both the creation and execution of emergency preparedness plans. It includes a step-by-step overview of food-related emergency procedures that focuses on employee, institution, and food safety practices and plans, including spoilage, contamination, and food transportation issues. Planning suggestions are broken down by type and extent of hazard or disaster.

Understanding Wireless Communications in Public Safety

Imel, K.J. and Hart, J.W.2003174 pp.Free

Available from Justice Technology Information Network (JUSTNET), 2277 Research Boulevard, M/S 8J, Rockville, MD 20850; (800) 248-2742; Web site: www.justnet.org/pdffiles/wireless2003.pdf

This guidebook to technology, communication issues, planning, and management was conceived to help public safety personnel understand and use new wireless technology. Its goal is to demystify the complexities of planning for new systems, raising funds to purchase equipment, and sifting through purchasing options in the realm of wireless communications, with a special focus on commercially available systems. Chapters cover federal and local regulations, wireless communication technologies, radio frequencies, and other useful topics.

Trouble in Paradise: Globalization and Environmental Crises in Latin America

Timmons, J.R. and Thanos, N.D.Routledge Taylor and Francis Group2003285 pp.ISBN 0415929806$18.95 (£11.19)

Environmental degradation in Latin America is increasingly on the international agenda. This book addresses many of the generalizations and misunderstandings about globalization throughout Latin America through an in-depth discussion of how the legacy of colonialism, unsustainable exploitation of resources over time, and racism have formed the background for many of Latin America's current environmental, social, and political crises.

Characteristics of Effective Emergency Management Organizational StructuresPublic Entity Risk Institute (PERI)2003143 pp.Free

Available from PERI, 11350 Random Hills Road, #210, Fairfax, VA 22030; (703) 352-1846; Web site: www.riskinstitute.org/ptrdocs/CharacteristicsofEffectiveEmergency.pdf

This on-line publication was written as a self-assessment tool for local government officials. A number of interviews undertaken in the late 1970s revealed common organizational characteristics of successful emergency management programs and this updated guide revisits the data and provides 20 characteristics of "good" government and strong emergency management organizations. Checklists help define effective planning, response, alerts, operations, and recovery activities, with the goal of helping to foster an ongoing, all-hazards approach toward integrating mitigation and preparedness more directly into local government structures and practice.

Principles of Emergency Planning and Management

Alexander, D.Oxford University Press2002340 pp.ISBN 0195218388$30.00

This book provides a general introduction to the methods, procedures, protocols, and strategies of emergency planning, with emphasis on situations in industrialized countries. Local levels of organization (i.e. cities, municipalities, metropolitan areas, and small regions) are examined, with ample reference to national and international levels. Rather than concentrating on the practices of any one country or state, the author focuses on the general principles of emergency management and planning, with the intent of creating a reference source and manual from which emergency managers can extract ideas, suggestions, and methods to help them design and implement emergency plans. The book adopts a comprehensive all-hazards approach, and 12 examples of emergency planning and management problems are analyzed in detail.

The Vulnerability of Cities: Natural Disasters and Social Resilience

Pelling, M.Stylus Publishing2003212 pp.ISBN 1853838306$27.95 (£17.95)

When disasters strike in cities, their effects can be more catastrophic and longer-lasting than many other environments. What are the factors that contribute to that determination? This book looks at cities and environmental risk; presents case studies on cities and disasters in Guyana, the Dominican Republic, and Barbados; and closes with a section on creating safer cities. Risk is explored as a function of vulnerability, disaster, economic and social vulnerability, income generation, and governance.

Facing up to the Storm – How Local Communities Can Cope with Disaster: Lessons from Orissa and Gujarat

Palakudiyil, T. and Todd. M.2003122 pp.Free

Available from Christian Aid, PO Box 100, London, SE1 7RT, UK; Tel: 44 (0)20 7620 444; Web site: www.christianaid.org.uk/indepth/0307stor/facinguptothestorm.pdf

Disasters wipe out years of development work and consume much-needed resources. Taking steps to reduce the risk of disasters and lessen their impacts must therefore become a vital part of development work. This book examines the role that even the poorest people play in surviving and recovering from natural disasters. Focusing on a bottom-up participatory and community-based process, it uses case studies throughout India to explore the idea that resiliency, preparedness, and response effectiveness are strengthened by local participation. Top-down and bottom-up emergency responses are compared. Using the framework of the United Nations' call for the incorporation of disaster issues into sustainable development, the authors explore ways in which governments, national agencies, and multilateral funding organizations can take these lessons to heart. Appendices profile the disaster cycle, models of vulnerability analysis, and the roles and responsibilities of disaster management in India.