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Date:         Tue, 18 Aug 1992 10:42:22 -0600
From:         HAZARDS@COLORADO.BITNET
Subject:      Disaster Research - 97
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Here's the latest from DISASTER RESEARCH  August 18, 1992

                DISASTER RESEARCH 97
                 TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1)  New Research Update Report
2)  Hunger Project Seeks Director
3)  Oxford Polytechnic Seeks Help
4)  ATC Seeks Project Consultants
5)  Meetings and Training

1)----------
                       New Research Update Report

A new publication, called "Hazard/Disaster Research Update," is in the works.
It will provide timely information about federally sponsored research and
other major products regarding hazards and disasters. It will cite mainly
nontechnical (i.e., non-engineering, non-hard-science) research reports. This
newsletter will offer help from an experienced, Washington-based staff. For
example, it is no illusion that it is difficult to know what research is
coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - the agency has no
research unit per se; does not issue a newsletter; and does not have its
research products entered into the Federal Research in Progress data base.

"Update" will offer:
 - a brief, cogent description of completed (and soon-to-be-completed)
projects and products;
 - current information about ongoing research projects so readers will be
aware of project status or can call researchers for preliminary information;
 - to-the-point information about research and key sources.

Use of this publication will help subscribers avoid duplication of effort,
locate sources of support, determine project ideas, identify gaps in
investigation, and find individuals with expertise. Initially, the report will
focus on research supported by the National Science Foundation and FEMA
(including the Fire Administration); later, research from EPA, USGS, and other
sources may be added, if subscribers want it. A subscription to this quarterly
publication will cost about $30.00 per year.

Claire Rubin, who initiated this effort, has a sample copy available for
review. Interested persons can request a sample copy and subscription
information from her at P.O. Box 2208, Arlington, VA, 22202, (202) 920-7176;
Bitnet: Disaster@GWU

2)----------
                    Hunger Project Seeks Director

The Alan Shawn Feinstein World Hunger Program, a part of the Thomas J. Watson
Jr. Institute for International Studies at Brown University, is searching for
a new director.

The program seeks someone with a distinguished background in research, a
strong commitment to interdisciplinary work, and international experience and
recognition. Above all, the director should be able to think creatively about
solutions to hunger - one of humanity's most intractable problems - and to
inspire others to do the same. Duties include directing the work of the
program, elaborating a research agenda on hunger and its alleviation, and
offering hunger-related courses. The program brings together the academic
research community with government and private voluntary organizations through
the annual Hunger Research Briefing and Exchange, the worldwide Food Systems
and Hunger Research Exchange Network, the Alan Shawn Feinstein World Hunger
Awards, and through the program's role as secretariat to the Overcoming Hunger
in the 1990s Project.

Candidates holding a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent in health, natural, or social
sciences will be considered for faculty appointment. Letters of application
along with a curriculum vitae and names of referees should be sent to Joy
Csanadi, Alan Shawn Feinstein World Hunger Program, Brown University, Box
1831, Providence, RI 02912.

A packet with further information on the World Hunger Program is available
from the above address or by calling (401) 863-2700 or faxing (401) 863-2192.

3)----------
                    Oxford Polytechnic Seeks Help

The Disaster Management Centre, Oxford Polytechnic, is undertaking a project
funded by the U.K. Overseas Development Administration, in collaboration with
Cambridge Architectural Research Ltd., entitled "Guidelines for Developing
Building Improvements in Hazard Prone Areas." As part of this project, the
center is compiling an "annotated source compendium" that will contain an
annotated bibliography and details about organizations with expertise in this
field. The compendium will be widely distributed to governments and
nongovernmental organizations in developing countries and to research
institutions. It is intended to help create a network for sharing information,
expertise, and facilities. The center particularly needs more information on
organizations in developing countries with a regional focus that have
expertise in the following: 1) improving the safety of small, nonengineered
buildings against natural disasters; 2) training builders of small structures;
3) designing and testing improved building techniques and materials.
Organizations that would like to be included in the compendium, should send
details as soon as possible to Yasemin Aysan, Director, Disaster Management
Centre, Oxford Polytechnic, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, U.K.

4)----------
                         ATC Seeks Project Consultants

The Applied Technology Council (ATC) is seeking 48 experienced earthquake
design practitioners and researchers to assist in the preparation of
"Guidelines for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings." The guidelines are
being prepared under a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contract
with the Building Seismic Safety Council (BSSC) of the National Institute of
Building Sciences (NIBS). ATC, as subcontractor to BSSC, is responsible for
developing the building seismic rehabilitation guidelines (with commentary).
The American Society of Civil Engineers, (ASCE), also under subcontract to
BSSC, will capture relevant research results and examine unresolved relevant
problems emanating from recent FEMA-funded projects on seismic rehabilitation.

ATC is seeking highly experienced earthquake professionals to serve on
"Technical Teams" to write the guidelines/commentary and as consultants to
assist and advise the guidelines/commentary writers. Persons interested in
applying for a position should request a copy of the "ATC-33 Request for
Qualifications," from the Applied Technology Council, 555 Twin Dolphin Drive,
Suite 270, Redwood City CA 94065, (415) 595-1542; fax: (415) 593-2320.

5)----------
                          Meetings and Training

Haz Mat Disasters as Earthquake Side Effects. Sponsor: Business and Industry
Council for Emergency Planning and Preparedness (BICEPP). Los Angeles,
California: September 22, 1992. Contact: BICEPP Business Office, P.O. Box
1020, Northridge, CA 91328, (818) 775-4195.

Human Health and the Environment: The Medical Consequences of Environmental
Degradation. Sponsor: Harvard School of Public Health. Cambridge,
Massachusetts: October 10-11, 1992. Contact: Harvard School of Public Health,
Office of Continuing Education, 677 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, (617)
432-1171; fax (617) 432-1969.

Seventh U.S. National Conference on Wind Engineering. Sponsors: Civil and
Environmental Engineering Department, UCLA; Wind Engineering Research Council;
National Science Foundation. Los Angeles, California: June 27-30, 1993.
Contact Gary C. Hart, c/o Seventh U.S. National Conference on Wind
Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, Civil and Environmental
Engineering Department, 5532 Boelter Hall, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1593.

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DISASTER RESEARCH is a moderated bulletin for creators and users of hazards
research information. Queries, conversations, and contributions are
encouraged. Items received will be posted unless otherwise indicated. Send
messages to:

        David Butler
        Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center
        Institute of Behavioral Science #6
        Campus Box 482
        University of Colorado
        Boulder, Colorado  80309-0482
        USA

        Telephone: (303) 492-6818
        Fax: (303) 492-2151

        hazards@vaxf.colorado.edu
        (Do **NOT** send messages to: hazards-list@vaxf.colorado.edu)

Subscriptions, cancellations, and other distribution requests can be directed
to the above addresses; however, BITNET/Internet subscriptions and orders for
back issues can also be handled directly by Mailserv software at the
University of Colorado. Commands should be sent to:

        mailserv@vaxf.colorado.edu
        (Do **NOT** send messages to: hazards-list@vaxf.colorado.edu)

Any of the following commands can be sent: HELP (returns a help file), INDEX,
LISTS (of services on this mailserver), SEND (see examples below), SEND/LIST,
SUBSCRIBE, or UNSUBSCRIBE. Commands should be in the body of an e-mail
message, not on the "subject" or "RE:" line. For back issues of Disaster
Research, send one of the following commands to the MAILSERV address above:

     SEND [HAZARDS]INDEX.LIS     for a list of available DR issues
     SEND [HAZARDS]DR##.TXT      for a specific back issue - substitute the
                                  number of the issue you want (01 - 97) for
                                  the ## in the command

In the U.S., Disaster Research is available via modem on the State and Local
Emergency Management Data Users Group (SALEMDUG) bulletin board system - (202)
646-2887; in Canada, on the Emergency Preparedness Information Exchange (EPIX)
system - (604) 291-4921 or FIDO 1:153/162. In Australia, it is available on
the Australian Disaster Management Information Exchange (ADMIX) - (054)
262-594 or FIDO 3:632/387, and the Wireless Institute Civil Emergency Network
(WICEN) - 03-802-0913 or FIDO 3:632/404. All systems operate at 2400 baud, no
parity, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit (some systems are accessible at higher
speeds).

A bimonthly printed newsletter, the Natural Hazards Observer, is available
from the Natural Hazards Center at the above address. It is free to
subscribers within the U.S. Overseas subscriptions are $15.00.
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