The responses of professional fire-fighters to disaster

This paper reports the results of a survey of the physical and mental reactions of a group ( N = 72) of members of the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) who were engaged in fighting the bushfires close to Adelaide, 16th-19th February 1983. A questionnaire, designed to elicit reports on both physical and mental reactions to exposure to the fire, as well as perceptions of several measures of social strain and social support, was administered to the firefighters when they came off duty. The results reported show the possible influence of role strain factors in predicting mental reactions, and also demonstrate what may be mediating effects of perceived social support. The paper also discusses methodological problems affecting this and other studies of the reactions of emergency service personnel to disaster.     

基于系统动力学的台风减灾决策研究

台风破坏性巨大,易与暴雨、洪涝、风暴潮灾害发生碰头现象,严重威胁沿海地区人民的生命和财产安全。因此,台风减灾决策研究对于保护人民生命财产安全至关重要。该文基于系统动力学和多灾种灾害建立防灾减灾模型,包括物资人员调度子块、信息传递子块、灾害系统子块。以海南省海口市台风灾情及政府防灾减灾工作为例进行数值模拟,仿真结果表明:政府资源调度能力越高,城市应急能力达到峰值速率越快;受预警等级及应急能力的影响,信息热度迅速上升至峰值,之后缓慢下降;对建筑物与电力系统进行抗灾加固,降低其脆弱性,提高水库堤坝及交通防灾减灾工作人员配比可以在很大程度上减缓灾情。该模型能为政府制定防灾减灾策略提供理论依据。     

地震应急演练虚拟仿真应用技术

地震是一种破坏性极大的突发性自然灾害。破坏性地震发生后,各级政府和部门必须迅速应对这种突发性事件。开展应急演练培训,能提高应急管理人员的应急处置和科学决策能力。应用虚拟仿真应用技术构建了虚拟地震应急演练平台,提出了系统体系结构、想定编辑器、演练控制的设计思想以及虚拟应急演练的组织方式。虚拟地震应急演练平台使演练者能够通过看地震灾害现场,做出相应决策,从而增强受训者的临场感觉,提升地震应急管理人员的快速反应和应急处置能力。     

居民灾害应对能力评价及影响因素研究

基于灾害应对能力现有理论基础,构建基于"认知-响应-备灾"的KRP模型,采用熵值法评估区域居民灾害应对能力;采用二分法,将受访者分为高、低水平灾害应对能力组,运用对比分析法和回归分析法,结合居民个体特征探讨灾害应对能力影响机制。结果发现:(1)区域居民的灾害应对能力处于中低水平,日常备灾能力是影响居民灾害应对能力的关键因素;(2)居民灾害应对能力呈现个体差异性,学历、年龄等因素对个体差异性影响较大,其它个体特征因素影响较小;(3)高、低水平组居民的灾害应对能力整体水平及其构成要素存在显著的群体差异特征,其能力差距的主要影响因素是日常备灾能力,其中住宅防灾和应急物资准备情况为关键影响因子。最后基于以上分析结果,为我国宏观防灾规划管理和居民灾害教育提供政策建议,有助于区域居民灾害应对能力及综合防灾减灾能力的提升。     

Military Participation in Emergency Humanitarian Assistance

Military forces of the United States and other countries possess training, equipment and capabilities that are suited for work in disaster preparedness and assistance. Information on the use of military units in domestic and foreign disaster-related efforts, particularly by United States forces in the medical area, was obtained by review of the literature and unpublished military reports, and from interviews with people who have been involved with disaster-related activities. The historical reasons for viewing United States forces as resources in disaster situations are identified. Additionally, issues and problems related to disaster preparedness and assistance in general, and more specifically, to the past and future use of military personnel for this mission are examined. The need for a defined military mission for emergency humanitarian assistance and the need for a military organizational structure to support this mission are identified. Once these two critical issues have been properly addressed, the United States military should participate in the establishment of a disaster institute for joint civilian-military disaster planning and training, in both domestic and foreign areas.     

中国的海啸灾害

从海啸的物理和发生条件分析了中国海啸的危险性：渤海、黄海和东海发生本地海啸的可能性很小；中国东部沿海受来自太平洋方面海啸的影响也很小；对中国东南沿海有较大影响的海啸发源地主要在南方，它们是菲律宾西侧的大地震、印度尼西亚巽他海峡的火山喷发以及中国南海的大型海底滑坡。虽然中国的海岸受海啸影响的可能性不大，但对于浪高5m的2级海啸而言，受到威胁的沿海地区的GDP占全国近1／4。从成灾的角度来看，小海啸大灾难的情况是有可能的。     

Facilitating disaster preparedness through local radio broadcasting

The 2008 Disaster Mitigation Preparedness (DMP) study took place in Aceh province, Indonesia. It sought to help develop radio programmes and messages to increase resilience to disasters. The role of radio was evaluated during and after the 2004 Asian tsunami disaster. The study team interviewed 984 tsunami survivors from nine sub-districts of Banda Aceh, and local nongovernmental organisations convened eight focus groups around the area of Aceh Besar. Six key informant interviews were held with government disaster management agencies. The DMP survey is the first of its kind to interview a representative random sample of Banda Aceh residents. It reveals the importance of community and social networks, during disaster situations, when essential communications are down. A disaster warning information system based on a multi-media approach needs to be developed. The wider community should be involved in the planning, education and training of Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar residents to facilitate appropriate personal and community survival strategies.     

Displacement as a predictor of functional impairment in tsunami‐exposed children

Thirty months after the Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December 2004, thousands of families in Aceh Province, Indonesia, remained in temporary barracks while sanitation conditions and non‐governmental organisation support deteriorated. This study sought to determine the factors associated with functional impairment in a sample of 138 displaced and non‐displaced Acehnese children. Using multivariate linear regression models, it was found that displacement distance was a consistent predictor of impairment using the Brief Impairment Scale. Exposure to tsunami‐related trauma markers was not significantly linked with impairment in the model. Paternal employment was a consistent protective factor for child functioning. These findings suggest that post‐disaster displacement and the subsequent familial economic disruption are significant predictors of impaired functioning in children's daily activities. Post‐disaster interventions should consider the disruption of familiar environments for families and children when relocating vulnerable populations to avoid deleterious impacts on children's functioning.     

Implementing cash for work programmes in post-tsunami Aceh: experiences and lessons learned

Cash for work (CFW) programmes are utilised in various disaster and emergency contexts and were a prominent component of the tsunami response in Aceh province, Indonesia. This paper describes Mercy Corps' CFW programme, discusses CFW implementation experiences and provides key recommendations for similar programmes in future emergencies. For the majority of CFW participants and their households, CFW was the only source of household income and 93 per cent of household incomes were attributable to it. The CFW programme empowered displaced populations to return to their communities; 91 per cent of participants indicated that CFW facilitated their return. Other reported psychosocial benefits included providing productive activities and giving communities an opportunity to work together. Mercy Corps' experience in Aceh demonstrates that cash disbursements can be safely delivered in a widespread manner in emergencies, and that when implemented on a short-term basis, can have positive impacts at the individual and community level.     

东洞庭湖国家自然保护区湿地生态灾害应急能力评价

健康的湿地生态系统,是国家生态安全体系的重要组成部分和社会经济可持续发展的重要基础。根据AHP法确定了能较综合反映研究区灾害应急能力的6个一级评价指标和28个二级指标,并计算出研究区湿地生态灾害应急能力值R为77.467,介于70~80之间,说明研究区生态灾害应急能力属于良好,但还有很大的提高空间。针对如何人为完善生态系统的功能、提高指挥部门到达现场的速度、重视生态系统自我修复能力的培养、注重部门平时救灾演习的成绩提出了6点对策。     

城市小区域防灾对策与紧急避难区的设置

鉴于地震等自然灾害的突发性和巨大破坏作用,在现代大都市的不同区域按照人口密度设置应急避难场所和躲避设施可以有效减小地震等灾害伤亡和经济损失。结合对城市震害特点的分析,提出按社区、楼宇设置小区域防灾避难场所的防灾对策和就近分散、应急维生、多功能防御、功能复用等防灾原则,以期减少地震次生灾害发生,为灾后生产恢复和重建创造有利条件,最大程度减低灾害损失。     

Work‐related stress in a humanitarian context: a qualitative investigation

There is a paucity of research on the subjective stress‐related experiences of humanitarian aid workers. Most evaluations of stress among these individuals focus on trauma and related conditions or adopt a quantitative approach. This interview‐based study explored how 58 humanitarian aid workers employed by a United Nations‐aligned organisation perceived the transactional stress process. The thematic analysis revealed eight main topics of interest: an emergency culture was found where most employees felt compelled to offer an immediate response to humanitarian needs; employees identified strongly with humanitarian goals and reported a high level of engagement; the rewards of humanitarian work were perceived as motivating and meaningful; constant change and urgent demands resulted in work overload; and managing work–life boundaries and receiving positive support from colleagues and managers helped to buffer perceived stress, work overload, and negative health outcomes. The practical implications of the results are discussed and suggestions made in the light of current research and stress theory.     

Household evacuation characteristics in American Samoa during the 2009 Samoa Islands tsunami

Tsunamis represent significant threats to human life and development in coastal communities. This quantitative study examines the influence of household characteristics on evacuation actions taken by 211 respondents in American Samoa who were at their homes during the 29 September 2009 M_w 8.1 Samoa Islands earthquake and tsunami disaster. Multiple logistic regression analysis of survey data was used to examine the association between evacuation and various household factors. Findings show that increases in distance to shoreline were associated with a slightly decreased likelihood of evacuation, whereas households reporting higher income had an increased probability of evacuation. The response in American Samoa was an effective one, with only 34 fatalities in a tsunami that reached shore in as little as 15 minutes. Consequently, future research should implement more qualitative study designs to identify event and cultural specific determinants of household evacuation behaviour to local tsunamis.     

Embedded wisdom or rooted problems? Aid workers' perspectives on local social and political infrastructure in post‐tsunami Aceh

This paper analyses the role of local social, cultural, and political institutions in post‐disaster reconstruction projects. It contends that such institutions are important considerations within community‐driven reconstruction initiatives, but are often viewed with ambivalence by external aid organisations. This paper draws upon in‐depth qualitative interviews with aid workers involved in the post‐tsunami reconstruction in Aceh, Indonesia, to establish: (i) what roles community institutions were suited to play in the reconstruction; (ii) what were the limitations of community institutions when engaging with external aid agencies; (iii) how did external aid agencies engage with local community institutions; and (iv) how did external aid agencies perceive community institutions.     

首都大学生的自然灾害认知调查与减灾教育建议

2006年国际减灾日的主题是"减灾始于学校",了解学生的灾害认知水平有助于减灾教育工作的有效开展。以北京5所高校的大学生为调查对象,通过问卷方式调查大学生对自然灾害的关注程度、防灾意识、灾害理论知识、应急行为知识以及对减灾教育的看法。问卷统计结果表明:大学生总体的灾害认知水平较低,现行减灾教育方式和内容与学生的期望有较大偏差。在此基础上,提出了减灾教育内容要将学生"该知道的"与"想知道的"相结合,通过演练演习等方式提高学生的防灾应急实际技能等减灾教育建议。     

Public perceptions and attitudes to biological risks: Saudi Arabia and regional perspectives

Saudi Arabia has experienced frequent occurrences of biological disasters due to a wide range of generator factors, including natural disasters and epidemics. A national survey (n=1,164) was conducted across 13 regions of Saudi Arabia to examine public perceptions to the risk of a biological disaster. The primary results reveal: (a) a degree of knowledge about biological threats such as SARS and H5N1 flu, despite the lack of individual experience with disasters; (b) age, gender, education and faith are positively related to the perception of biological risk; and (c) a number of important community resilience factors exist, including faith, education and willingness. This study concludes that the development of adapted resilience strategies in disaster management can be achieved through public education and training involving cooperation with official organisations and religious authorities in the country to increase public awareness, knowledge and skills in mitigating biological threats.     

The living environment and children's fears following the Indonesian tsunami

The tsunami that struck South-east Asia on 26 December 2004 left more than 500,000 people in Aceh, Indonesia, homeless and displaced to temporary barracks and other communities. This study examines the associations between prolonged habitation in barracks and the nature of fears reported by school-age children and adolescents. In mid-2007, 30 months after the tsunami, the authors interviewed 155 child and parent dyads. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare the fears reported by children and adolescents living in barracks with those reported by their peers who were living in villages. After adjusting for demographic factors and tsunami exposure, the data reveals that children and adolescents living in barracks were three times more likely than those living in villages to report tsunami-related fears. The study demonstrates that continued residence in barracks 30 months after the tsunami is associated with higher rates of reporting tsunami-related fears, suggesting that barracks habitation has had a significant impact on the psychological experience of children and adolescents since the tsunami.     

Hurricane Harvey and Greater Houston households: comparing pre-event preparedness with post-event health effects,event exposures,and recovery

Most disaster studies rely on convenience sampling and ‘after-only’ designs to assess impacts. This paper, focusing on Hurricane Harvey (2017) and leveraging a pre-/post-event sample of Greater Houston households (n=71) in the United States, establishes baselines for disaster preparedness and home structure flood hazard mitigation, explores household-level ramifications, and examines how preparedness and mitigation relate to health effects, event exposures, and recovery. Between 70 and 80 per cent of participants instituted preparedness measures. Mitigation actions varied: six per cent had interior drainage systems and 83 per cent had elevated indoor heating/cooling components. Sixty per cent reported home damage. One-half highlighted allergies and two-thirds indicated some level of post-traumatic stress (PTS). Three-quarters worried about family members/friends. The results of generalised linear models revealed that greater pre- event mitigation was associated with fewer physical health problems and adverse experiences, lower PTS, and faster recovery. The study design exposed the broad benefits of home structure flood hazard mitigation for households after Harvey.     

Training refugees as primary health care workers: Past imperfect, future conditional

Many problems have been encountered in the planning and implementation of health care in refugee camps, and more specifically in the training of refugees as primary health care workers. A review of the published literature and a "survey" of the opinions and experiences of refugee, national and international health personnel regarding training has therefore been undertaken to provide an overview of what has been done and to make recommendations for future work.
The review highlights the need to reallocate resources away from high visibility emergency aid to development activities, such as training, that will create an infrastructure for primary health care and promote self-reliance.     

大型海啸灾害后重伤员批量护理风险建模研究

大型海啸灾害等自然灾害的发生产生了大量重伤员,所以研究大型海啸灾害后重伤员的批量护理风险建模极为重要。通过大型海啸灾害救治流程预案启动和重伤员批量护理实施方法两部分研究大型海啸灾害后重伤员批量护理方法,并提出通过前馈控制性管理防范护理风险。提升护理风险管理的科学性以及全面性。通过护理风险防范预案提升重伤员护理质量将大型海啸灾害后批量重伤员护理风险降至最低。通过护理风险防范预案提升重伤员护理质量等降低重伤员批量护理风险的措施,使得大型海啸灾害后的急救工作可快捷有序完成,赢得重伤员抢救的黄金时间。