bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The concept of integrating introductory emergency preparedness training into community volunteer dental surge events
Authors: Jacob, BS, MS, DDS Gregory S. , Buchanan, RN, MSN, CEN Karin
Published: February 2013

Efforts are needed to promote and integrate preparedness training as an additional benefit of volunteerism at large dental public health related surge events. There is good evidence that typical volunteer dental events offer a variety of service learning opportunities and experiences for direct application in preparedness training. Emergency response officials who offer their involvement in this training may help better prepare dental professionals for any future official medical/dental surge relief efforts and emergencies.
Establishment of a Tent Village in Muzaffargarh, Pakistan
Authors: Tahir, MPH Muhammad Navid , Hashmi, MBBS, MPH, MBA Waseem , Naseer, MBBS, MS, MBA Rizwan , Rasheed, BSC (Hons) Amir , Rao, MS Saima Tofique
Published: February 2013

Muzaffargarh was one of the hardest hit districts of Punjab in Flood 2010 in Pakistan.The catastrophic flood claimed 68 human lives and displaced more than 2.5 million people in the district. Rescue 1122 has evacuated 10,841 flood affectees and provided first aid to 400 victims in the first phase of the flood. Afterward, Rescue 1122 established a Tent Village near district Muzaffargarh, where 1,114 people were facilitated with basic human needs for 2 months.The establishment of this Tent Village has proved that the combined efforts of local agencies can play a pivotal role in handling of the major disasters.
Social vulnerability: An emergency managers’ planning tool
Authors: Dolan, PhD Garrett , Messen, PhD Dmitry
Published: February 2013

The frequency of natural disasters in the United States is increasing.1 Since 1953, there has been an average of 35 Federal Emergency Management Agency declared disasters per year.2 However, more concerning is that the number of declarations has more than doubled over the last 5 years for an average of 73 per year. Although it is true that natural disasters affect everyone regardless of their respective health and/or wealth, it is also true that not everyone will experience the event in the same way. Those who can adapt to changing situations are more likely to overcome adversity. This article explains social vulnerability as an emerging concept in natural hazard management and demonstrates its utility as a tool for planning and preparing for emergencies within the Houston-Galveston hurricane storm surge evacuation zones. Practitioners will gain insight into the characteristics that make individuals vulnerable while providing a basis for determining how to plan for their needs.
Psychological functioning of tsunami affected people with disabilities: Impact of age
Authors: Satapathy, BA, MA, BEd, MPhil, PhD Sujata , Kasi, BA, MA, PhD Sekar
Published: February 2013

The study determined differential psychological vulnerability of people with disabilities across different age groups in worst affected areas in tsunami disaster. A total of 275 tsunami affected people with various disabilities aged between 16 and 85 years were included in the final sample. Self Reporting Questionnaire (psychological distress), Impact of Event Scale (post-traumatic stress), and quality of life (QOL) were measured. People in their late adulthood and elderly years reported significantly higher psychological distress when compared with the teens and early adults and the young adults. People across different age groups reported equal posttraumatic stress. Increase in age resulted in more psychological distress and poor physical, social, and environmental QOL. Age and severity of disability were found to be significant predictors of psychological distress. The findings primarily supported the “differential vulnerability hypothesis” in the context of a disaster; therefore, implications are far reaching for the policy makers and planners, administrators/disaster managers, and mental health/psychosocial service providers. Long-term psychosocial and psychiatric interventions are suggested to be provided till the reconstruction and rebuilding phase continues.
Factors influencing the decision to evacuate or shelter in place: Follow-up of Hurricane Katrina
Authors: Langan, PhD, RN, CNE Joanne C. , Christopher, MS, MPH Kara M.
Published: February 2013

Most of the fatalities experienced during Hurricane Katrina involved adults of more than 65 years old. Most of these deaths occurred due to a failure to evacuate their homes.Objective: To determine barriers and facilitators for evacuation.Design/participants: A paper-and-pencil survey was conducted to a convenience sample of 224 older adults.Setting: Mississippi Gulf Coast.Main outcome measures: Deterrents and facilitators for home evacuation and strategies to encourage evacuation during disasters.Measurements: Descriptive and χ2 statistics were used to analyze the data.Results: A major reason for sheltering in place was lack of trust of information provided by the media and county officials. Those who were likely to evacuate feared for their safety and had no pets. Interestingly, the only statistically significant (p = 0.004) characteristic of participants was household annual income. Those who earned less than $20,000 were 2.5 times more likely to evacuate than those with a higher income (odds ratio = 2.56, 95% confidence interval: 1.33, 4.89). Those who made more than $20,000 did not differ in their evacuation decision; they were just as likely to evacuate as they were to shelter in place.Conclusions: Emergency managers and disaster planners must recognize common facilitators and deterrents for evacuation, as well as suggested strategies to increase citizens’ willingness to evacuate. Strategies include receiving accurate information about impending storms, assistance with preparations to leave homes, transportation, affordable motel rates, and information along evacuation routes about shelter vacancies, food, water, gasoline, and toilet facilities.
A federal compulsory vaccination plan
Authors: Ulrich, BS, JD Michael
Published: February 2013

During oral arguments for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Justice Breyer on several occasions questioned whether the federal government could compel individuals to be vaccinated in the event of a national emergency where a highly contagious disease was sweeping through the country. This article does not seek to predict or analyze the legal implications of such an action; rather it argues that a national approach to such an emergency should be implemented. Recent concerns over the potential for H5N1, or “bird flu,” to become airborne illustrate the type of epidemic that Justice Breyer may have been envisioning. By broaching this subject now, instead of in the midst of an outbreak, adequate time is left to research appropriate solutions, allow for debate, and provide public education.While vaccination laws are typically promulgated on the state level under state police power, these compulsory laws are accompanied by exemptions that can undermine their effectiveness. For example, religious and philosophical exemptions have led to outbreaks of pertussis, or whooping cough, in multiple states. Considering the various state exemptions along with laws granting governors and health officials broad power to alter vaccination laws during emergencies, it is nearly impossible to predict how individual states will respond. Legally and ethically speaking, the rights of individuals are not absolute and cannot be utilized to subject others to harm.A federal compulsory vaccination law allows for balancing individual rights and public health, with the interests of the nation as a whole in mind.
Systematically using agricultural and animal demographic data in animal health emergency management
Authors: Allen, PhD, MPA Heather A. , Moore, MS Kiana
Published: February 2013

While the explicit connection has not yet been made in the literature, the systematic incorporation of agricultural and animal demographic data can help to prioritize and inform preparedness and response planning. This article reviews related fields that have used similar data, presents sources of these demographic data, offers examples of existing uses in preparedness and response planning, and details specific ways in which emergency managers can incorporate this data in their policies and plans whether at a local, state, or federal level, and in both the public and private sector. Through multidisciplinary partnerships, emergency management can be improved through the incorporation of demographic information, helping to mitigate the consequences of an animal health emergency, regardless of source, via the incorporation of empirical data.
The strategic role of Hawaii in disaster coordination in the Asia-Pacific
Authors: Prizzia, PhD Ross
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this article is to describe and explain the strategic role of Hawaii in disaster coordination in the Asia-Pacific region. Hawaii is of critical importance in the prevention of, preparation for, and response to disasters in the Asia-Pacific region as is demonstrated through the effective coordination of Hawaii-based institutions such as the Pearl Harbor Naval Base, US Pacific Command (PACOM), US Army Pacific (USARPAC), Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), East- West Center (EWC), Pacific Disaster Center (PDC), Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), and other related disaster management support organizations based throughout the Hawaiian islands. The State of Hawaii seems prepared to respond to natural and human-caused disasters. As the only island state located in the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii continues to require advanced technology for warning systems and effective coordination of emergency management capability to respond to a wide range of natural disasters and the threat of terrorism and an extensive network of coordination, cooperation, and collaboration among relevant disaster and emergency Hawaii-based government agencies at the local, national, and international levels. While some of this network may be unique to Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region, most is not and can provide useful “best practices” for other practitioners and jurisdictions.
Drive-thru influenza immunization: Fifteen years of experience
Authors: Carrico, PhD, RN, FSHEA, CIC Ruth M. , McKinney, MD, FACP W. Paul , Watson, JD Nicholas Adam , Wiemken, PhD, MPH, CIC Timothy , Myers, PhD, MSPH John
Published: February 2013

Background: In 1995, a yearly drive-thru immunization program was initiated in Louisville, KY. Since then, more than 50,000 doses of influenza vaccine have been administered, with no reports of syncopal episodes or vehicular accidents. This report aimed to identify reported adverse events from other areas that could threaten drive-thru mass immunization approaches.Methods: To identify reported adverse events in any drive-thru mass immunization event, the authors queried the following sources: 1) the vaccine adverse event reporting system, 2) court cases, 3) healthcare risk management databases, 4) MEDLINE, and 5) communication with vaccine experts. The authors also calculated the probability of syncopal episodes using data from our past immunization experiences to further elucidate the possibility of these events occurring.Results: No adverse events due to a drive-thru mass immunization event were identified in any of the sources queried. In our data, the forecasted probability of one adverse event was 0.8 percent for a 2-day event (20,000 immunizations).Conclusions: Although syncope may occur following immunization, it is a risk that can be managed, and due to the rarity of these events, should not be used as a reason to avoid drive-thru administration of influenza vaccine.
Aligning Institutions of Higher Education emergency preparedness plans with the National Response Framework
Authors: Connolly, EdD Maureen
Published: February 2013

Colleges and universities must be prepared to respond to events that could compromise the safety of any person in a classroom, residence hall, office, or any other campus facility as well as for any event that could jeopardize the continuation of use of any campus facility. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states, “Higher education institutions ... are realizing that improving their campus’ resistance to disaster will not only protect their own lives and those of their students, it will also safeguard their campus’ instruction, research, and public service.” The US Department of Homeland Security, FEMA developed the overarching strategy, the National Response Framework (NRF), for emergency preparedness for “government executives, private-sector and nongovernmental organization leaders.” FEMA and the Department of Education (DOE) developed specific guidelines for emergency preparedness for colleges and universities. This study linked these guidelines to the five principles of the NRF. Most institutions have an emergency preparedness plan, but just how effective are these plans? Do community colleges, state, independent, and proprietary institutions differ in terms of their level of emergency preparedness? The target population for this study is colleges and universities in the United States. This quantitative study measured how aligned the emergency preparedness plans of these colleges and universities are to the recommendations of FEMA and the US DOE, Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools. The data suggest that much more needs to be done to bring college and university emergency plans into alignment with the government recommendations. Alignment with the government documents for this sample of US colleges and universities is extremely low for each principle of the NRF.
Toward robust All-Hazards Incident Management Teams: Progress and priorities
Authors: Donahue, PhD Amy K.
Published: February 2013

In 2008, an effort to enhance the capability of All- Hazards Incident Management Teams (AHIMTs), and thereby improve the nation’s ability to respond to incidents of all types, was launched. To date, there have been three national learning conferences for AHIMT stakeholders. At the first conference, in 2008, attendees participated in a systematic process to identify priorities for the national AHIMT program. At the most recent conference, in December 2010, attendees participated in a study designed to review and update the insights gained from the 2008 conference. This article presents the findings of the 2010 study. The results can help federal, state, and local stakeholders understand AHIMT capabilities and the challenges teams face.
Tracking H1N1 vaccine doses administered using CDC’s Countermeasure and Response Administration system
Authors: Shimabukuro, MD, MPH, MBA Tom T. , Sapkota, MBBS, MPH Sanjeeb , Nichols, BS Barbara L. , Williams, MPH Warren G. , Mullins, MIT, CSM Shirley W. , Lee, MPH Leslie , Waite, MBA, PMP Sarah , Andujar, MPH, CHES Ulrica , Faler, MBA, PMP Guy , Hill, BA, BS Howard H. , Tropper, MS, MPH Jeanne
Published: February 2013

During the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic, the Countermeasure and Response Administration (CRA) system, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) computer-based informatics application, monitored H1N1 vaccine uptake during the early stages of the US vaccination program, from October through the end of November 2009. CRA, which directly monitors vaccine doses administered, was developed to support the mass tracking of medical countermeasure use during public health events and to complement populationbased survey data on vaccination coverage during a pandemic influenza vaccination program. CRA provided weekly near real-time reports of H1N1 vaccine doses administered at national and state levels. On average, during any given week, 58.8 percent of the total data available to be reported was actually reported to CDC. During the 8-week mandatory reporting period, a cumulative total of 13,109,962 first-dose vaccine doses administered were reported through CRA, representing approximately 4.4 percent of the US population. Nearly 60 percent of these doses were administered to individuals aged 6 months to 24 years, an age interval that was included in the initial target groups prioritized to receive vaccine. CRA was a key component of the national surveillance system providing information on early uptake of H1N1 vaccine and monitoring program progress. These accomplishments indicate that CRA can effectively function as an immunization tool to monitor vaccine uptake during a pandemic.
Public disaster mental/behavioral health communication: Intervention across disaster phases
Authors: Houston, PhD J. Brian
Published: February 2013

Background: Disasters have been found to significantly impact mental and behavioral health.1 A public health response to disaster seeks to ameliorate this impact by identifying mental/behavioral health effects resulting from an event and by promoting healthy disaster-related outcomes. Disaster communication interventions are effective tools that disaster managers can use to achieve these outcomes.Objectives: Based on a review of the literature, the objectives of this article are to describe disaster communication intervention activities and corresponding outcomes and to place those activities in a multiphase disaster communication framework.Results: The Disaster Communication Intervention Framework (DCIF) is proposed. Outcomes targeted by DCIF include improving individual and community preparedness and resilience; decreasing disaster-related distress; promoting wellness, coping, recovery, and resilience; helping a community make sense of what happened during and after a disaster; and rebuilding the community. Strategies for achieving these outcomes are described.Conclusions: DCIF provides a multiphase framework of public disaster mental/behavioral health communication intervention that can be used by disaster managers to improve mental and behavioral outcomes following a disaster.
Community-based evaluation for the development of a sustainable disaster early warning system
Authors: Dhar, PhD Ashutosh Sutra , Ansary, PhD Mehedi Ahmed
Published: February 2013

Early warning plays a major role in catastrophic loss reduction during natural disasters. An early warning system should address the needs of the disasterprone community for the system to be effective and sustainable. This article presents a community-based evaluation of an existing early warning system in a disaster- prone district of Bangladesh. The evaluation is based on several questionnaire surveys carried out within the vulnerable communities in the district. A new satellite- based early warning system was also deployed around the district on a pilot basis.The challenges for the new satellite-based system are discussed based on this pilot study. The study revealed that the community level questionnaire survey could be effective for the design of a sustainable early warning system.
The current crisis and impending disaster
Authors: McEntire, PhD David A.
Published: February 2013

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I feel your pain: How and why the academic and professional communities must work more closely together
Authors: McEntire, PhD David A.
Published: February 2013

Objective: To illustrate the common challenges that confront educators and practitioners involved in emergency management. To explore what the two groups can do to overcome these mutual problems.Design: This article explores the similar situation educators and practitioners are faced with through the comparative method.Results: Disaster scholars and emergency management practitioners are often seen as isolated individuals with distinct and perhaps even conflicting priorities. However, additional reflection about professors and professionals reveals that each community deals with virtually the same challenges.Conclusions: This article argues our joint situation should encourage educators and practitioners to come together to resolve the difficulties we are currently facing. In particular, the article recommends that 1) scholars and practitioners must accept and support each other through awareness, marketing, and advocacy activities; 2) professors and practitioners can increase our reach and impact in the areas of education and training; 3) both groups should further the development of professional knowledge, skills, and abilities and 4) each group can exert efforts to improve the leadership and management over respective programs.
Responding to the call: How America’s failing infrastructure puts pressure on emergency response capabilities
Authors: Ix, BA Megan E. , Piccinini, BS Lisa M. , Pons, MA, BS William I.
Published: February 2013

America’s crumbling infrastructure has a significant impact on its emergency response capabilities. Failed infrastructure not only creates a need for emergency response but also impacts the ability of first responders to do their job in the first place. To temper these costs, communities across the nation will have to focus on taking preventative measures to repair old infrastructure before it breaks, rather than solely after. This will require balancing a number of important issues, including the financial cost of fixing faulty infrastructure before its failure versus after, the risks to human life and health, and how the sudden, and sometimes extensive, need for emergency response affects the availability of response resources for other accidents.In this article, the authors look at three areas of failed infrastructure—roads and bridges, water, and electricity—to illustrate the ways that failed infrastructure can impact emergency response needs. The authors conclude that while reactive measures are necessary given the vast levels of repair needed for the country’s infrastructure, proactive actions are also increasingly vital to limit the cost that failed infrastructures impose on the American people.
Attitudes on wildfire evacuation: Exploring the intended evacuation behavior of residents living in two Southern California communities
Authors: Roberson, MS Brian S. , Peterson, PhD, CEM Danny , Parsons, PhD Richard W.
Published: February 2013

Residents living within the Wildland-Urban Interface who fail to immediately evacuate during wildfire emergencies may not only increase the risk of injury or death to themselves but also to firefighters and rescuers tasked to protect them. In the coastal mountains of Santa Barbara County, CA, data on intended resident wildfire evacuation behavior does not exist. This research study used self-administered mail surveys to collect data on attitudes toward wildfire evacuation from more than 200 residents living within the High Fire Hazard Area of the Carpinteria Summerland Fire District (CA). Data derived from completed surveys indicate that although most residents intend to evacuate when given either voluntary or mandatory orders, 10 percent do not. A multivariate analysis performed on these residents indicates that men are less likely to evacuate than women, and long-term residents are less likely to evacuate than short-term residents. Further analysis of these residents indicates a wide variety of reasons for evacuation noncompliance, which are discussed in this study. Based on the results of these analyses, this research study provides recommendations to local public safety officials so they may better prepare for future wildfire evacuation events.
Children and disasters: A framework for mental health assessment
Authors: Pfefferbaum, MD, JD Betty , Jacobs, PhD Anne K. , Houston, PhD J. Brian
Published: February 2013

Background: Providers serving children’s mental health needs face the complexities of tailoring assessments based on developmental stages, family characteristics, school involvement, and cultural and economic factors.This task is even more challenging in the face of a disaster, terrorist incident, or other mass trauma event. Traditional mental health knowledge and skills may not be sufficient to meet children’s needs in these chaotic situations. Unfortunately, disaster planning and response often overlook or only briefly address the unique mental health needs of children. While there is general agreement that children have specific vulnerabilities, few comprehensive plans exist for identifying and addressing children’s mental health needs predisaster and postdisaster.Objectives/methods: Based on a review of the literature, the objectives of this article are to provide an overview of the central tenets of assessment with children throughout the course of a disaster and to propose a framework for disaster mental health assessment that can be used by a variety of providers in community disaster planning and response.Results: Disaster-related assessments are described including surveillance, psychological triage, needs assessment, screening, clinical evaluation, and program evaluation. This article also identifies easily accessible resources for responders and providers who desire to become more familiar with child disaster mental health assessment concepts.Conclusions: The framework described here provides an overview for understanding how assessment can be conducted to identify child and family needs and to inform the delivery of services following a disaster.
Organizations and emergency management: Information, trust, and preparedness
Authors: Huss, MA Sheila M. , Sadiq, PhD Abdul-Akeem , Weible, PhD Christopher M.
Published: February 2013

In what ways do information and trust relate to the level of organizational preparedness for disasters? Interview and survey data on 227 organizations in Memphis/Shelby County, TN, were analyzed to assess the extent to which organizations use disaster-related information for decision making, and report the information as adequate and relevant. Organizations were also asked to identify their sources for disaster-related information, whom they trust for helping them prepare for disasters, and their level of preparedness for disasters. The results show that more than half of the organizations in Memphis/Shelby County relied on information for disaster management, and of these organizations, the overwhelming majority agreed that the information was both adequate and relevant. The police and fire departments, Memphis/Shelby County Emergency Management Agency, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention were identified by responding organizations as major sources of information and as organizations that they trusted the most to help them prepare for disasters. Organizations that relied on the Memphis City Government for information were more likely than other organizations to report that they were prepared for disasters.Finally, organizations that relied on the media as one of their top three information sources were less likely than other organizations to report that they were prepared for disasters.
A study on a national response framework for Korea
Authors: Ha, PhD, CEM Kyoo-Man , Oh, B. Engr, FE/EIT Hyeon-Mun
Published: February 2013

This study reviews the organization of Korean emergency management and compares it with the structure used in the United States. The article maintains that Korea could improve its emergency response by implementing a national response framework (NRF). The United States began to set up its NRF in 2008 to enable it to respond to all kinds of hazards, with roles and responsibilities allocated to each stakeholder. Conversely, an NRF has not been implemented in Korea. The analysis utilized both literature review and interviews. The related implications are examined in terms of four components: (1) the concept of the NRF, (2) the roles of the major players, (3) emergency support functions, and (4) networking and coordination.
Developing a comprehensive, integrated and meaningful Multi-year Training and Exercise Plan
Authors: Renger, PhD, MEP Ralph , Granillo, MS Brenda
Published: February 2013

A Multi-year Training and Exercise Plan (MYTEP) is required for compliance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP). The MYTEP is an important tool to a) assist agencies to identify the capabilities necessary for effective preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery and b) develop a training and exercise schedule to meet this need. Federal guidance in completing the MYTEP focuses on the following three key elements: applying the HSEEP building block approach, capability-based planning, and the cycle of continual improvement. The guidance is helpful but requires thoughtful consideration of the interplay between these elements. This article discusses many challenges and solutions for designing an integrated MYTEP including: a) the extent to which the agency goal is to build agency-level or human-level capability, b) the need to address cross-cutting capabilities in resource scarce environments, c) building and maintaining necessary core capabilities, and d) integrating sponsor-required exercises. The application of these concepts is then illustrated using a case example where a MYTEP was designed with a tribal Office of Emergency Management.
Letter to the editor
Authors: Blanchard, PhD Wayne
Published: February 2013

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Managing security issues of electronic voting to protect the resiliency of the electoral process
Authors: Blank, JD Avery M.
Published: February 2013

The purpose of this article is to heighten the awareness among homeland security and emergency management professionals to the significant role they can play in protecting electronic voting from the very real potential of cyberattacks. It is important for these professionals to understand electronic voting and its advantages and disadvantages at this point in time because the number of cybersecurity attacks is increasing, electronic voting usage is increasing, and the media have overlooked this aspect of the voting system. Homeland security professionals and, in particular, emergency management professionals need to be involved because electronic voting is intimately connected with the nation’s critical infrastructure, voting is a local activity, and the principles of emergency management professionals suggest that they have the relevant skills to help solve the security issues related to electronic voting.
Building a disaster behavioral health response to a radiological nuclear disaster
Authors: Pearson, BS, MPA, CBCP, CTR Ashley , Cherepanov, PhD, CTS Elena
Published: February 2013

The analysis of psychological reactions to the past nuclear plants disasters, such as Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania (1979), Chernobyl, Ukraine (1986), and Fukushima, Japan (2011), allows for a development of adequate preparedness and response protocols. The systemic, long-term, and future-oriented impact of radionuclear-type event calls for inclusion of the behavioral health module into comprehensive and multidisciplinary disaster response planning. It is important to incorporate the psychosocial education and focused trainings for responders, public officials, healthcare workers, teachers, and spiritual leaders into established systems of readiness on local, state, and federal levels. Inaccurate or misleading information perpetuates misconceptions and contributes to further victimization of survivors. Building strong partnerships with media can assist in supporting the survivors, gathering testimonies, and mobilizing aid resources by bringing public attention to the problem and shaping public opinion.
Quantifying risk through the use of the consolidated risk assessment process
Authors: Bouwsema, MS, CEM Barry
Published: February 2013

The consolidated risk assessment (CRA) allows for risk to be quantified and thereby can be used as a measuring tool to determine process investment priorities in the capability-based planning (CBP) process. The CRA has potential application across Canada working with government and regional sectors. Through risk modeling, the potential of risk and its inherent consequence can be used to determine the success of investment in mitigating the identified threat. The CRA presents a new opportunity to improve how risk is measured, monitored, managed, and minimized through the four phases of emergency management, namely prevention, preparation, response, and recovery. Defence Research and Development Canada is interested in researching and developing the possible benefits of a comprehensive approach to risk assessment and management to reduce risk throughout Canada. The CRA model provides a framework against which potential risk can be measured and quantified, thereby improving safety for all Canadians.
Critical review of Terrain Tile and Google Earth: Virtual image mapping methods for floodplain management
Authors: Wise, MSCE, EIT Richard , Darnell, MSCE, EIT Andrew , Quaranta, PhD, PE John
Published: February 2013

Inundation mapping is a major component of floodplain management, providing critical information as to the consequences of potential failures of flood control structures. Flood mitigation efforts rely on the creation of inundation maps to develop appropriate response measures for crisis situations, including dam failures. To develop inundation maps, a dam and river system is modeled with engineering computer programs, and a simulation of the dam failure is performed to generate data for the flood. This output data are input into other programs to develop inundation maps. Inundation maps have traditionally been produced in a paper format, but recent advances in computer modeling have provided the capability for virtual inundation maps. Virtual inundation maps offer new methods of presentation and analysis of flood impacts; thus, these mapping methods need to be investigated to determine the applications and relevance to floodplain management. The goal of this research is to advance the development and use of inundation maps by floodplain managers and emergency agencies. A simulation of a potential dam failure was performed using computer modeling for a candidate river system, and the inundation maps were created using two procedures: Terrain Tiles and Google Earth. An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of each mapping procedure was conducted. The results indicated that the Terrain Tiles procedure has advantages in displaying critical information, such as arrival times and water depths. However, this mapping procedure is more labor intensive, and the online file sharing may not be accessible for all users. The strengths of the Google Earth procedure include two-dimensional and three-dimensional views for analysis, user-friendly file sharing, and the inclusion of built-in critical infrastructure and terrain data. Drawbacks of this procedure are that the inundation must still be generated in ArcGIS, the display of critical information is not as clear, and the online file sharing may pose security issues. Thus, the Terrain Tiles procedure should be used for the development of emergency response measures, and the Google Earth procedure should be used by emergency responders in the event of an actual emergency.
Using root cause analysis (RCA) to facilitate corrective actions, after action reports (AARs), and improvement plans
Authors: Renger, PhD, MEP Ralph , Davis, DrPH Mary , Granillo, MS Brenda
Published: February 2013

Root cause analysis (RCA) is methodology recommended by the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) for examining why exercise objectives were not met and providing specific recommendations for corrective action. The consequence of not completing the RCA as required by HSEEP is significant. In the absence of a RCA arriving at the best corrective action is less likely. Despite its importance, there is research evidence from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that the RCA is seldom completed. Several reasons are presented as to why the RCA is not completed including a lack of guidance as to how to conduct a RCA. An example of how to complete a RCA is provided followed by a discussion of the benefits of using the approach over traditional exercise debriefing methods. Reasons why there may be continued resistance to using RCA despite having the necessary facilitation skills and dedicated time are also discussed.
Refining the Hospital Incident Command System to improve Hospital Command Center management of survey activity
Authors: Villacara, DMD Alfred A. , Lazar, MD Eliot J. , Regan, PhD Brian K.
Published: February 2013

The “Survey Command Structure” initiative refines and streamlines the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) structure to more effectively guide a hospital’s management of regulatory survey activity. This newly developed structure retains the hallmark features that make HICS effective but sees the addition of some new roles along with the editing or elimination of others. A literature review reveals no other hospitals undertaking similar initiatives to address survey management. The structure directly contributed to an outstanding result with the most recent Joint Commission survey. Hospitals should embrace this updated structure to allow for improved response to a myriad of regulatory surveys.
Challenges in mass fatality management: A case study of the 2010 Haiti earthquake
Authors: Sadiq, PhD Abdul-Akeem , McEntire, PhD David
Published: February 2013

A mass fatality incident occurs when a disaster causes many deaths and the affected country does not have sufficient resources to process the remains of victims. The January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti was one such event; the estimated 316,000 deaths overwhelmed the response system of the government. The purpose of this article is to review the challenges relating to mass fatality management in this incident. Findings were collected through interviews of 28 individuals along with personal observation obtained during two visits to Haiti after the earthquake. The article argues that a good understanding of these challenges (eg, aftershocks, debris, movement and tampering with bodies, lack of resources, environmental factors, smell of decomposing bodies, threat of epidemics, unidentified bodies, psychological stress, and looting) is crucial for an effective response and quick recovery in communities affected by mass fatality incidents.The article concludes with recommendations for addressing these challenges.
An improved cirrus detection algorithm MeCiDA2 for SEVIRI and its evaluation with MODIS
Authors: Ewald F. , Bugliaro L. , Mannstein H. , Mayer B.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. In this study, a substantially improved version of the Meteosat cirrus detection algorithm (MeCiDA2) will be presented, which now allows application to the full earth disc visible by the Meteosat satellite. As cirrus clouds have an influence on the radiation budget of the earth, their optical properties and their global coverage has to be monitored at the global scale using instruments aboard geostationary satellites. Since MeCiDA was optimised for the area of Europe only, various changes were necessary to handle the variable conditions found over the full Meteosat disc. Required changes include the consideration of the viewing angle dependency and of the sensitivity of the 9.7 μm channel to the ozone column. To this end, a correction is implemented that minimises the influence of the variability of the stratospheric ozone. The evaluation of the proposed improvements is carried out by using MeCiDA applied to MODIS (moderate resolution imaging spectrometer) data to address viewing angle-dependent cirrus detection, and by additionally comparing it to the cloud optical properties MOD06 cirrus product. The new MeCiDA version detects less cirrus than the original one for latitudes larger than 40°, but almost the same amount elsewhere. MeCiDA's version for MODIS is more sensitive than that for SEVIRI (spinning enhanced visible and infrared imager) with cirrus occurrences higher by 10%, and the new MeCiDA provides almost the same cirrus coverage (±0.1) as given by the cloud phase optical properties from MODIS for latitudes smaller than 50°. Finally, the influence of sub-pixel clouds on the SEVIRI cirrus detection has been examined: more than 60% of the undetected SEVIRI cirrus pixels have a cirrus coverage smaller than 0.5.
Taking nature into lab: biomineralization by heavy metal resistant streptomycetes in soil
Authors: Schütze E. , Weist A. , Klose M. , Wach T. , Schumann M. , Nietzsche S. , Merten D. , Baumert J. , Majzlan J. , Kothe E.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. Biomineralization by heavy metal resistant streptomycetes was tested to evaluate the potential influence on metal mobilities in soil. Thus, we designed an experiment adopting conditions from classical laboratory methods to natural conditions prevailing in metal-rich soils with media spiked with heavy metals, soil agar, and nutrient enriched or unamended soil incubated with the bacteria. As a result, all strains were able to form struvite minerals on tryptic soy broth (TSB) media supplemented with AlCl2, MnCl2 and CuSO4, as well as on soil agar. Some strains additionally formed struvite on nutrient enriched contaminated and control soil, as well as on metal contaminated soil without addition of media components. In contrast, switzerite was exclusively formed on minimal media spiked with MnCl2 by four heavy metal resistant strains, and on nutrient enriched control soil by one strain. Hydrated nickel hydrogen phosphate was only crystallized on complex media supplemented with NiSO4 by most strains. Thus, mineralization is a~dominant property of streptomycetes, with different processes likely to occur under laboratory conditions and sub-natural to natural conditions. This new understanding may be transferred to formation of minerals in rock and sediment evolution, to ore deposit formation, and also might have implications for our understanding of biological metal resistance mechanisms. We assume that biogeochemical cycles, nutrient storage and metal resistance might be affected by formation and re-solubilization of minerals like struvite in soil at microscale.
Technical Note: Wet validation of optical tomography for drinking water discolouration studies
Authors: Floris R. , van Thienen P. , Beverloo H.
Published: February 2013

Abstract. This paper presents a set of validation experiments for the reconstruction of a cross-sectional particle concentration field in a transparent pipe filled with a fluid using optical tomography.
The Possible Protective Role of Bone Marrow Transplantation against Alternations Induced by Gamma Radiations on Heart of Pregnant Albino Rats and Their Fetuses
Authors: Mansour Emam Nahed Mohamed , Rahman Ibrahim Mona Abel
Published: February 2013

Aim of the work: It is well recognized that radiation can be carcinogenic. Bone marrow cells (BM) suppress immune cell responses and have beneficial effects in various inflammatory-related immune disorders. The present study is designed to evaluate the possible role of bone marrow to restore certain histopathological and histochemical changes in the cardiac tissues of pregnant rats which exposed to gamma rays. Material and Methods: The experimental animals were divided into five groups: 1- Group of control pregnant rats. 2- Group I&II of pregnant rats irradiated with γ-rays on days 7 or 14 of gestation. 4- Group III& IV of pregnant rats irradiated with γ-rays on day 7 or 14 of gestation and treated with BM one hour post-exposure. All the previous groups were sacrificed on day 20 of gestation (1 day prior delivery). Results: Exposure of pregnant rats to γ-rays on day 7 or day 14 of gestation showed many pathological and histochemical changes in the cardiac tissues. These changes were more pronounced on day 14 of gestation. Bone marrow transplantation post-irradiation improved cardiac muscle architecture. On the other hand,  fetal cardiac tissue was more sensitive to γ-rays than those of their mothers especially on day 14 of gestation. Bone marrow transplantation post-irradiation improved the tissue architecture which restored its normal histological and histochemical pictures. Conclusion: It can be concluded that bone marrow transplantation post-irradiation showed somewhat a considerable ability to overcome radiation injuries or damages from the histological and histochemical point of view on day 7 or 14 of gestation.
Pour une définition de l’agriculture urbaine : réciprocité fonctionnelle et diversité des formes spatiales
Authors: Nahmías Paula , Le Caro Yvon
Published: February 2013

Les agricultures observables dans les agglomérations (agricultures professionnelles en circuits courts ou longs, jardins privés et partagés, agriculture de loisirs) sont aujourd’hui valorisées dans leurs dimensions alimentaires, environnementales et socio-politiques. Elles participent aux manières d’habiter la ville et à l’aménagement des territoires urbains. La diversité de leurs formes et de leurs représentations pour les acteurs complexifie toutefois la définition d’une « agriculture urbaine ». Sur la base d’observations de terrain en Bretagne (France) nous retenons qu’outre sa localisation proche de la ville, ce sont ses fonctionnalités et son intégration dans le projet d’agglomération qui permettent de définir son caractère urbain.
Thigh Muscle Cross‐Sectional Areas and Strength in Advanced Versus Early Painful Osteoarthritis: An Exploratory Between‐Knee, Within‐Person Comparison in Osteoarthritis Initiative Participants
Authors: Ruhdorfer Anja , Dannhauer Torben , Wirth Wolfgang , Hitzl Wolfgang , Kwoh C. Kent , Guermazi Ali , Hunter David J. , Benichou Olivier , Eckstein Felix ,   For The Osteoarthritis Initiative Investigators
Published: February 2013

Objective

To compare cross‐sectional and longitudinal side differences in thigh muscle anatomic cross‐sectional areas (ACSAs), strength, and specific strength (strength/ACSA) between knees with early versus advanced painful radiographic osteoarthritis in the same person.

Methods

Forty‐four of 2,678 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants (31 women and 13 men) met the inclusion criteria of bilateral frequent knee pain, medial joint space narrowing (JSN) in 1 knee, and no medial (or lateral) JSN in the contralateral knee. Thigh muscle ACSAs of the quadriceps, hamstrings, adductors, and individual quadriceps heads at consistent locations were determined using magnetic resonance imaging. Isometric muscle strength was determined in extension/flexion (Good Strength Chair). Baseline quadriceps ACSAs and strength were considered primary end points, and longitudinal changes of these factors were considered secondary end points (by paired t‐tests).

Results

No significant side differences in quadriceps (or other thigh muscle) ACSAs, strength, or specific strength were observed between medial JSN knees versus knees without JSN, or between specific medial JSN knee strata and contralateral knees without JSN, either in men or women. Two‐year longitudinal changes in thigh muscle ACSAs and strength were small (≤5.2%) and did not differ significantly between medial JSN knees and knees without JSN.

Conclusion

In the context of previous findings that side differences in pain are associated with side differences in quadriceps ACSAs, the current results suggest that quadriceps (and other thigh muscle) properties are not independently associated with radiographic disease status (JSN) once knees have reached frequent pain status. Further, our longitudinal findings indicate that a more advanced radiographic stage of knee osteoarthritis is not necessarily associated with a longitudinal decline in muscle function.