International Journal of Emergency Management http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=8&year=2011&vol=8&issue=1 Inderscience Publishers Ltd en-uk International Journal of Emergency Management 1471-4825 1741-5071 © 2011 Inderscience Publishers Ltd editor@inderscience.com https://www.inderscience.com/images/files/coverImgs/ijem_scoverijem.jpg http://www.inderscience.com/browse/index.php?journalID=8&year=2011&vol=8&issue=1 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40395 Systemic problems have long prevailed and plagued the international disaster relief scene. Despite the reformatory efforts of the United Nations (UN), the international disaster management system does not have a well-integrated approach to ensure successful coordination of disaster management operations among its relief and partner organisations. This paper analyses the current structure of international disaster management and the UN reform initiatives to improve the coordination structure and identifies the main actors in the international disaster management system. Comparing the May 2008 cases of the Nargis cyclone in Myanmar and the China earthquake in Sichuan province, this paper analyses the issues related to coordination and collaboration between the international relief organisations. The Myanmar cyclone and the Sichuan Earthquake cases are characterised by very different response patterns. The analytical model helps in understanding the striking differences in response from the international system to the two events. Collaborative governance in international disasters: Nargis cyclone in Myanmar and Sichuan earthquake in China cases
Naim Kapucu
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 1 - 25
Systemic problems have long prevailed and plagued the international disaster relief scene. Despite the reformatory efforts of the United Nations (UN), the international disaster management system does not have a well-integrated approach to ensure successful coordination of disaster management operations among its relief and partner organisations. This paper analyses the current structure of international disaster management and the UN reform initiatives to improve the coordination structure and identifies the main actors in the international disaster management system. Comparing the May 2008 cases of the Nargis cyclone in Myanmar and the China earthquake in Sichuan province, this paper analyses the issues related to coordination and collaboration between the international relief organisations. The Myanmar cyclone and the Sichuan Earthquake cases are characterised by very different response patterns. The analytical model helps in understanding the striking differences in response from the international system to the two events.

]]> 10.1504/IJEM.2011.040395 International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 1 - 25 Naim Kapucu Department of Public Administration, Center for Public and Nonprofit Management, University of Central Florida, HPA II Suite 238M, Orlando, FL 32816-1395, USA international disaster management network analysis network governance boundary spanning multi-organisational disaster response emergency management collaborative governance collaboration coordination structure cyclones earthquakes China crisis management international relief organisations relief agencies Myanmar cyclone Sichuan earthquake modelling response patterns. 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 8 1 1 25 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40396 The destructive effects of disasters on vulnerable populations will continue to increase as global inhabitants grow in numbers and occupy marginal, often hazard-prone areas. Recent experience has shown that there is a gap between available Geographic Information System technologies and geo-information management tools and their employment during disaster response operations. The goal of this paper is to examine and critique the use of geo-information and related technologies in the Kashmir earthquake of October 2005, discuss what researchers have done to address this topic and make recommendations for improving future geo-information accessibility. This paper draws on observations from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and available literature to examine impediments to operational geo-information management and utilisation during that relief effort. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to increase the accessibility of geo-information to a diverse group of users and better manage geo-information during future disaster response efforts. An assessment of geo-information use during the 2005 Kashmir earthquake response and recommendations to improve future use
Wiley C. Thompson
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 26 - 41
The destructive effects of disasters on vulnerable populations will continue to increase as global inhabitants grow in numbers and occupy marginal, often hazard-prone areas. Recent experience has shown that there is a gap between available Geographic Information System technologies and geo-information management tools and their employment during disaster response operations. The goal of this paper is to examine and critique the use of geo-information and related technologies in the Kashmir earthquake of October 2005, discuss what researchers have done to address this topic and make recommendations for improving future geo-information accessibility. This paper draws on observations from the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and available literature to examine impediments to operational geo-information management and utilisation during that relief effort. The paper concludes with recommendations on how to increase the accessibility of geo-information to a diverse group of users and better manage geo-information during future disaster response efforts.

]]> 10.1504/IJEM.2011.040396 International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 26 - 41 Wiley C. Thompson Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, United States Military Academy, 745 Brewerton Road West Point, NY 10996, USA disaster response disaster management hazards geo-information management GIS information management Kashmir earthquake crisis management emergency management earthquakes geographic information systems. 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 8 1 26 41 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40397 Travel behaviours were examined following the earthquake of 6.8 magnitude in Gisborne, New Zealand, on 20 December 2007. Surveys were returned from 438 households detailing their travel and information-seeking immediately after the earthquake. Although 85% of people experienced the earthquake at home, a volume of traffic that approximated peak weekday conditions was generated within an hour of the event. Within three hours of the event 37% of people had travelled. People away from their home were five times more likely to travel than those at home. Nearly all trips were undertaken in motor vehicles. Official warning not to travel long trip distances, dangerous conditions and the possibility of traffic jams did not decrease the likelihood of travel. People stayed at home only if they had no reason to travel. People initially travelled to meet other people and assess property damage. The findings support the use of simulation in disaster research. Travel behaviours following the 2007 Gisborne earthquake: evidence for the use of simulation in earthquake research
Steven M. Lamb, Darren K. Walton
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 42 - 59
Travel behaviours were examined following the earthquake of 6.8 magnitude in Gisborne, New Zealand, on 20 December 2007. Surveys were returned from 438 households detailing their travel and information-seeking immediately after the earthquake. Although 85% of people experienced the earthquake at home, a volume of traffic that approximated peak weekday conditions was generated within an hour of the event. Within three hours of the event 37% of people had travelled. People away from their home were five times more likely to travel than those at home. Nearly all trips were undertaken in motor vehicles. Official warning not to travel long trip distances, dangerous conditions and the possibility of traffic jams did not decrease the likelihood of travel. People stayed at home only if they had no reason to travel. People initially travelled to meet other people and assess property damage. The findings support the use of simulation in disaster research.

]]> 10.1504/IJEM.2011.040397 International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 42 - 59 Steven M. Lamb Darren K. Walton School of Engineering, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith NSW 2751, Sydney, Australia. ' Health Sponsorship Council, Level 3, 181 Wakefield Street, PO Box 2142, Wellington, New Zealand travel behaviour Gisborne earthquake earthquakes information retrieval information seeking response behaviours simulation disaster response New Zealand emergency management disaster management crisis management likelihood of travel. 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 8 1 42 59 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40399 Older adults are a demographic group that is more likely to experience negative impacts resulting from a disaster than other age groups. Age-related disabilities and the impact of social conditions can influence vulnerability to a disaster event. This paper explores the concept of personal and social vulnerability based on case studies of older adults who experienced a flood disaster. It describes and analyses the disaster-related experiences of those in a rest home population and those living independently in the community. The goal was to provide both an individual and a socio-cultural perspective based on older adults' narratives about the flood, which explored the challenges that emerged for this age group. The research findings highlight how emergency preparedness planning must take into account the age-related needs of older adults with regards to the personal and social resources they have available. Exploring older adults' personal and social vulnerability in a disaster
Robyn Tuohy, Christine Stephens
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 60 - 73
Older adults are a demographic group that is more likely to experience negative impacts resulting from a disaster than other age groups. Age-related disabilities and the impact of social conditions can influence vulnerability to a disaster event. This paper explores the concept of personal and social vulnerability based on case studies of older adults who experienced a flood disaster. It describes and analyses the disaster-related experiences of those in a rest home population and those living independently in the community. The goal was to provide both an individual and a socio-cultural perspective based on older adults' narratives about the flood, which explored the challenges that emerged for this age group. The research findings highlight how emergency preparedness planning must take into account the age-related needs of older adults with regards to the personal and social resources they have available.

]]> 10.1504/IJEM.2011.040399 International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 60 - 73 Robyn Tuohy Christine Stephens School of Psychology, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand. ' School of Psychology, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand frail adults rest homes care homes older adults emergency management disaster preparedness social vulnerability personal vulnerability narrative elderly old people disaster management crisis management flood disasters floods emergency preparedness emergency planning age-related needs. 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 8 1 60 73 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=40400 Many of the losses due to wildfires, floods, and other hazards can be avoided with proper evacuation planning. This study examined local emergency evacuation readiness in the State of California of the USA. Emergency planning documents were obtained from 41 of the 58 California counties; only 8 of those were free-standing emergency evacuation plans eligible for evaluation. The plans were evaluated using a tool previously developed for a congressional study of hurricane evacuation plans. The California plans scored relatively well in the areas of decision making and communications but scored poorly on other issues including planning for alternative transportation modes and evacuating special needs populations. Overall, the California evacuation plans did not measure up to those developed in the hurricane states. This study highlights the need to strengthen and standardise evacuation planning in at-risk areas and to improve knowledge about local evacuation preparedness. Local emergency evacuation planning in California, USA: a comparison with the hurricane states
Megumi Kano, Melissa Kelley, Michelle Hashemi
International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 74 - 96
Many of the losses due to wildfires, floods, and other hazards can be avoided with proper evacuation planning. This study examined local emergency evacuation readiness in the State of California of the USA. Emergency planning documents were obtained from 41 of the 58 California counties; only 8 of those were free-standing emergency evacuation plans eligible for evaluation. The plans were evaluated using a tool previously developed for a congressional study of hurricane evacuation plans. The California plans scored relatively well in the areas of decision making and communications but scored poorly on other issues including planning for alternative transportation modes and evacuating special needs populations. Overall, the California evacuation plans did not measure up to those developed in the hurricane states. This study highlights the need to strengthen and standardise evacuation planning in at-risk areas and to improve knowledge about local evacuation preparedness.

]]> 10.1504/IJEM.2011.040400 International Journal of Emergency Management, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2011) pp. 74 - 96 Megumi Kano Melissa Kelley Michelle Hashemi School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, P.O. Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. ' School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, P.O. Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. ' School of Public Health, Community Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, P.O. Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA emergency management evacuation planning evacuation plans wildfires California USA United States special needs population local planning emergency planning evacuation readiness emergency preparedness hurricanes decision making communications alternative transport emergency management crisis management disaster management. 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00 8 1 74 96 2011-05-25T23:20:50-05:00