bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Psychological Analysis of the Evacuation Behavior at the Great Sakata Fire
Authors: Abe Kitao , Kazama Ryoichi
Published: January 2023

This research studied human behavior in the great Sakata Fire. The fire, fanned by a violent wind at the time, burned continuously in the center of the city for about 12 hours. Although it rained that night, the fire was massive and spread extensively.

The research focus was on: (1) the recognition of the fire: about what time was it noted, how the fire was reported, and what were the early forecasts about it; (2) the behavior of people seeking refuge: the period of preparation for refuge, the state of the fire at the time, what people thought of doing and how; (3) information: the means used to obtain information about the fire, and rumor behavior; and (4) social disorganization: whether or not there was panic and looting behavior, details about it, and reasons why it occurred.

The fire spread at a speed of about 100 m/h, which was rather slow in spite of the strong wind. This condition is considered as the reason for the relatively smooth evacuation of people, the lack of any great panic, and the few deaths and injuries.
Field Survey on Occupant Behavior in an Earthquake
Authors: Ohta Yutaka , Ohashi Hitomi
Published: January 2023

This paper deals with how occupants respond and why they are exposed to casualty risk in an earthquake. It is based upon field data obtained by means of questionnaire and interview in recent large earthquakes in Japan. Major results obtained are: (1) the most significant factor which governs their responses is seismic intensity and (2) multiplicity of behavioral patterns at and after an earthquake can be well interpreted by taking account of personal characteristics and surrounding circumstances.
A Propositional Paradigm for Estimating the Impact of Disasters on Mental Health
Authors: Warheit George J.
Published: January 2023

This paper reviews the literature on communitywide disaoters and their relationships to subsequent mental health problems. In addition, it describes the theoretical notions of psychological stress which have guided past research and it outlines the dimensions of a comprehensive stress paradigm. This paradigm is based on an integration of research findings from three separate fields of inquiry: disaster research; studies of psychosocial stress; and, psychiatric epidemiology. The theoretical propositions on which the paradigm is based are outlined and offered as guidelines for future research. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of some of the problems confronting researchers interested in disasters and their mental health sequelae.
Inter and Intraorganizational Cohesion in Emergencies
Authors: Sorensen John H. , Mileti Dennis S. , Copenhaver Emily ,   Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this paper is to pose and test a means to facilitate the comparative examination of interorganizational relations and behavior in emergency planning and response. Additionally we sought to define and ope rationalize the concept of inter and intraorganizational cohesion in emergencies,. The paper, following a review of literature on organizational behavior in disasters, describes an effort to define, and develop measures for twenty indicators of inter- and intraorganizational cohesion. Data on these indicators are collected for organizations in an emergency response network at a nuclear power plant. This is done for relationships in both pre-emergency planning and for an exercise of an emergency plan. Findings regarding cohesion are presented and the implications for refining emergency organizational theory are discussed. Overall it was found that internally organizations are fairly cohesive but that cohesiveness diminishes between organizations. Communications and lack of interaction clarity appear to be the chief reasons for decreases in cohesion. In order to understand why this occurs, it is necessary to investigate the antecedants of organizational behavior that lead to cohesion breakdowns.
The Sociology of Social Movement in Japan
Authors: Shiobara Tsutomu , Katagiri Shinji , Thompson Lee A.
Published: January 2023

The sociology of social movement in Japan has recently been expanding. The field has been revitalized by the introduction, mostly by the younger generation, of the resource mobilization model. The situation is parallel to that in the United States. However, Japan and the United States have differences in their respective histories of social movement and in the research done on the phenomenon. A proper understanding of the current state of the sociology of social movement in Japan, and its prospects for the future, is impossible if these differences are ignored. This paper attempts to describe the actual changes in the conditions of society affecting movements, and to place the study of movements within that perspective. In other words, the analysis of the study of social movements in Japan undertaken here is also a kind of exercise in the sociology of knowledge.
Collective Bbhavior Research in the Netherlands: Prom Residual to Partnership
Authors: Rosenthal Uriel
Published: January 2023

Till recently, the study of collective behavior did not pose as a distinct field in Dutch social science. During the era of pillarization and consociational democracy (1927–196?) the main thrust of social and political research involved organizational factors in social and political life rather than the irregular dynamics of panics, crazes and hostile outbursts, Noninstitutional, unscheduled phenomena were not en vogue among opinion leaders and social scientists alike.

In the mid-sixties social and political life underwent drastic changes. Riots, demonstrations and other kinds of turmoil became popular themes for discussion, partisan analysis and, only gradually, serious research. Few students of collective behavior were able to present an interesting theoretical or conceptual perspective, most of them sticking to Smelser and Gurr.

The late seventies and eighties have seen the rise of research in the so-called new social movements: groups and groupings that have settled outside the neo-corporatist system. Neither Smelser nor Gurr are still the top-dogs. McCarthy and Zald's resource mobilization and Tilly's structural approach have become embraced as the more promising perspective.

New social movements have turned out to be a recalcitrant object of research. For solid pieces of research one should rather pay attention to new attempts to get theoretical and empirical grip on the functioning of long-established movements.

The theoretical re-orientation towards questions concerning the strategies, costs and benefits, and effectiveness of collective behavior has invited Dutch scholars to take more interest in examining the political and governmental context of collective behavior. A growing number of studies on decisionmaking presents collective behavior as one amidst many other competing explanatory factors. Collective behavior is about to lose its self-contained status. It becomes part of a context of both input and output factors, the latter including the “old enemy” of collective behavior: the authorities and governmental bureaucracies. It may go all the Day from a residual category to a fully recognized dimension of social and political process.
Italian Sociology and the Study of Social Movements
Authors: de Marchi Bruna A.
Published: January 2023

The article critically assesses the contribution of Italian sociology to the study of social movements in the last twenty years. These years nearly cover the “institutional life-cycle” of the discipline. In order to help the reader place the study of social movements within the mainstream of Italian sociology, some information is provided about its historical development and academic status, even in relation to political and cultural trends in overall society.

Tracing the history of social movements studies back to it origins, the author shows how it has diverged from the American tradition, in particular as far as its relation to the study of other forms of collective behavior is concerned.

In an extensive review of both theoretical and empirical contributions, the author points out what she sees as the main merits and faults of Italian scholars. The former include attention to theorization in the field of both conventional and collective behavior and preference for multi-factored models of explanation. Among the latter, are unsatisfactory attempts to build general testable theories, and lack of empirical research.

Contributions are analysed with regard to different aspects of social movements: formation, mobilization and recruitment, ideology and organization, politics and outcomes.

Pointing out achievements and failures of Italian analysts, the author arrives at some general rather optimistic conclusions about future developments, in both theory and research.
The Ties that Bind: Social Fabric and the Mobilization of Environmental Movements in Japan
Authors: Broadbent Jeffrey
Published: January 2023

This paper compares twelve social movements, all supporting or opposing environmental and industrialization issues, which occurred in the sixties and seventies in one prefecture in southern Japan, The independent variable is the type of local social fabric they arose within; the dependet variables, their mobilization process and goals. The data was collected through qualitative field work, including interviewing, observation and documents, and later coded into questionnaire form. The local social fabric, associational, mixed, or communal, affected several aspects of their mobilization process: goals, leader and follower motives, rate of success, and relation to dominant elites. In communal movements, the leader had more autonomy in setting goals, and followers were more loyal to him. Such movements were more idealistic. In associational movements, leadere and followers emphasized individualistic and material goals and motives. Elites attempted to coopt communal leaders more, because of the leaders’ more arbitrary power. Communal leaders reisted that if they had strong internalized values. Values penetrate movements through leaders. Communal social fabrics support new social movements in Japan, contrary to the Western experience, where such movements arise in more associational, middleclase fabrics.
The Power of the Powerless Resource Mobilization and Social Movements in a Third World Reality
Authors: Danns George K.
Published: January 2023

The field of social movements has brought unique insights to the study of order and change in society. Essentially, the concern of social movements theorists is with studying the disruptive capabilities of the ruled. Resource mobilization has emerged as the popular, if not also dominant perspective, in a field rife with theoretical debates. The resource mobilization perspective is, however, far from adequate in explaining social movements particularly in the third world countries. This article identifies five major limitations of this perspective. Prominent among these is the failure to consider movements as power entities. A concrete case of a third world labor movement is used to highlight these limitations and to suggest the need for the adaptation of a “power perspective.”
Local and National Media Coverage of Disaster: A Content Analysis of the Print Media's Treatment of Disaster Myths
Authors: Wenger Dennis , Friedman Barbara
Published: January 2023

Based on newspaper coverage for four disasters-two within the U.S.A., one in Algeria, and one in Italy–Goltz (1984) concluded that generally the media do not present images of maladaptive behavior or disaster myths. This article reexamines Goltz's foldings, presents additional relevant data from media coverage of Hurricane Alicia and dissects several important methodological issues. Our conclusion is a counterpoint observation that the mass communication system does contain mythical elements.
Conceptualizing and Measuring Disaster Preparedness
Authors: Gillespie David F. , Streeter Calvin L.
Published: January 2023

Disaster preparedness has been identified with planning, resource identification, warning systems, trowing and simulations, and other predistister actions intended to improve the safety and effectiveness of community response to disaster. Despite its acknowledged importance, little attention has been given to clarifying the conceptualization and strengthening the measurement of preparedness. This paper presents an empirically based summative measure of preparedness, documents its reliability, and offers evidence of construct validity.
A Cultural Analysis of Conflicts in Industrial Disaster
Authors: Shrivastava Paul
Published: January 2023

Industrial disasters create occasions for the eruption of multiple conflicts among stakeholders. Victims’ perspective on these conflicts has received little research attention in the past. Understanding these conflicts can lead to insights into the political nature of such disasters, and aid in developing more humane responses to them. This paper provides a cultural analysis of social conflicts that emerged in the Bhopal tragedy. It examines victims’ subjective understanding of the tragedy and associated conflicts by analyzing a demonstration march by them. Victims’ understanding of conflicts is significantly different from that of the government that supposedly represents them. This finding has important policy implications, and warrants further research on conflicts in industrial disasters.
Private Sector Land Market Decision Agents as Targets of Flood Plain Policy
Authors: Kaiser Edward J. , Burby Raymond J. , Bollens Scott A. , Holway James M.
Published: January 2023

This article examines the influence of floodplain land use policy on land market decisions of three private sector decision makers-owners of vacant land, developers, and building owners. It is based on a mail survey of 312 such decision makers in 10 cities across the United States. Our findings imply that floodplain programs, with their emphasis on floodproofing, have a significant effect on the extent to which new structures built in the floodplain are protected from future flood damage, but less effect on decisions to buy vacant land, develop property, or occupy structures in floodplains in the first place. The findings also imply that effective floodplain programs must target builders and developers and owners of vacant land because their decisions come earlier in the rural-to-urban land conversion process and they are more likely to avoid the hazard or take mitigation actions in response to information, incentives and regulations. Nevertheless, policy should also target the consumer, emphasizing insurance and awareness of the risks of flood damage, something that current policy does not do adequately.
Fire in A Crowded Theater: A Descriptive Investigation of the Emergence of Panic
Authors: Johnson Norris R.
Published: January 2023

More than 160 people were killed in a fire in the Beverly Hills Supper Club near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1977, an incident that appeared to be a classic case of panic involving a breakdown of social order and ruthless competition for exits. This paper analyzes transcripts of police interviews with club patrons to describe flight from the show room in which most of the deaths occurred. The descriptive analysis reveals that escape from the building was initially orderly and non-competitive; however, when escape became urgent, competition for the remaining exit possibilities developed. Even then the behavior did not appear to be in total disregard of social order; social norms and structural ties continued to constrain behavior.
Cross-Cultural International Research: Sociology and Disaster
Authors: Dynes Russell R.
Published: January 2023

Early cross-cultural studies of disaster responses are summarized to provide a context for recent collaborative efforts. Many of these have been initiated by researchers from the United States who have joined colleagues in numerous other countries to standardize measurement instruments and assess aspects of the public response. These efforts have highlighted definitional, theoretical, and methodological difficulties which are being addressed in current studies. Finally, current policy developments we described that may encourage future research that is cross-societal in focus and collaborative in implementation.
Contingencies Affecting Emergency Preparedness for Hazardous Wastes
Authors: Faupel Charles E. , Bailey Conner
Published: January 2023

Through a case study of emergency preparedness activities at the largest hazardous waste landfill within the United States, which is located in Sumter County, Alabama, this article highlights three features which constrain such preparedness efforts: (1) the specialized nature of hazardous waste; (2) the politicization of the hazardous waste industry; and (3) jurisdictional dilemmas created by the merger of public and private roles in hazardous waste emergency preparedness. The article concludes with a discussion of policy implications for federal, state and local policymakers and implementers.
Coordinated Emergency Management: The Challenge of the Chronic Technological Disaster
Authors: LaPlante Josephine M. , Kroll-Smith J. Stephen
Published: January 2023

Providing effective emergency response and mitigating the impact of disaster requires the ability to act and knowledge of what to do. Chronic technological disasters present a special challenge to emergency management because authority to act on this type of disaster agent is diffuse and often lodged within a variety of agencies operating at different levels of government. Moreover, knowledge of the likely chain of events for technological disaster is still in its infancy, when compared to the rich research base that exists for natural disaster. The authors argue that the emerging literature on chronic technological disaster reveals systematic and important differences between the reality of this type of disaster and what conventional wisdom based on natural disaster experience says about technological disaster. This study addresses characteristics of chronic technological disasters and examines how the nature of technological disaster affects the practice of emergency management.
Coping with Famine in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Walker Peter
Published: January 2023

This report looks at famine in Southern Ethiopia as recalled by those who lived through it: the victims. The householders in the famine-hit area coped with the crisis through a series of coherent strategies which aimed primarily at safeguarding the long-term viability of the household economy. In famine survival it is not just the amount of food produced or the wealth held by a family that is important. Claims which can be made on other communities of households play a major part in surviving a crisis. Any analysis of famine vulnerability must look at the total bundle of assets held by a household including the less tangible “community claims.” Using this approach, it is possible to recognize local indicators of the early stages of famine, identify the most at-risk groups and propose development strategies which will directly reduce people's vulnerability to future famine.
Predicting Long-Term Adjustment to Volcano Hazard
Authors: Perry Ronald W. , Lindell Michael K.
Published: January 2023

This study examined the long term patterns of protective response to the threat of volcanic eruption at Mt. St. Helens. Data collected from a sample of 103 affected residents were examined to determine the frequency of adoption and interrelationships among five actions-insurance purchase, evacuation preparation, purchase of specialized equipment, and mitigation actions for ash fall threat or for mudflow / flood threats—that could be taken to protect personal safety and property. Eight variables-hazard salience, threat knowledge, perceived risk from ashfall, perceived risk from mud flows and floods, previous damage, emergency planning, information from relatives and information from friends-were hypothesized to be associated with higher levels of hazard adjustment. All variables except those relating to information sources were found to have significant positive correlations with the level of hazard adjustment, although the regression coefficient for one variable, perceived risk from ashfall, became nonsignificant when all variables were entered into a regression equation. The results suggest directions for future research, as well as strategies that public safety officials can take to enhance the level of adjustment by the population at risk.
The Federal Emergency Management System in the United States: Past and Present
Authors: Kreps Gary A.
Published: January 2023

The paper begins by providing a historical overview of wartime and peacetime emergency preparedness in the United States in terms of major historical trends and unresolved issues which preceded the establishment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979. With the unresolved issues serving as a historical backdrop, FEMA's contemporary role in the federal emergency management system is then examined to see what progress toward their resolution is being achieved. The paper closes with a brief comment on what the historical evolution of federal emergency management in the United States suggests about what can and cannot be accomplished.
Prospects for Public Sector Disaster Management in the 1990s: An Indication of Current Issues with Particular Reference to Victoria, Australia
Authors: Buckle Philip
Published: January 2023

Public sector disaster managers have not conducted a systematic evaluation of the operational and policy issues that they will confront in this decade. This is despite increasing community expectations for disaster management, political requirements for increased performance and accountability, and reduced resources that will put significant pressures on disaster managers to critically evaluate this area. Key issues disaster managers will have to consider include: developing a clearer understanding of “disaster”; understanding that disasters are social events; appreciating the increasing range of hazards to which people are exposed; applying a range of technologies to disaster management; and critically evaluating assumptions about disaster management and operations. Such considerations are not likely to occur spontaneously. Reviews and incremental changes may be generated by political, community and resource depletion pressures. However, substantial change to disaster management policy and practice is only likely to be achieved if researchers act as a catalyst by making their findings more widely available and by stimulating the public sector to undertake critical analysis of disaster management.
Disasters and Development in Historical Context: Tropical Cyclone Response in the Banks Islands, Northern Vanuatu
Authors: Campbell John R.
Published: January 2023

The Banks Islands in northern Vanuatu are prone to tropical cyclones. While a thriving population appears to have coped with these events prior to European contact, since then a smaller population has struggled to maintain its food security following tropical cyclone events. A number of social, economic, political and resource management changes have led to a set of disaster pre-conditions which result in dependence on external food relief following tropical cyclones. Most of these changes have taken place in the intervening years between disasters and have occurred independent of the tropical cyclone hazard. However, one set of changes, the provision of food relief itself, has provided the catalyst for the other changes to occur.
Redundancy in Social Systems: Implications for Warning and Evacuation Planning
Authors: Streeter Calvin L.
Published: January 2023

This paper provides a basic introduction to the concepts and theory of redundancy in social systems. It examines the implications of redundancy as a design method in planning disaster response systems, with special attention given to warning and evacuation. It also examines some of the criticisms of redundancy and examines several problems associated with transferring the concepts of redundancy to social systems. Examples are used to illustrate the benefits of planned redundancy in the design of warning and evacuation systems.
Ending Evacuations
Authors: Stallings Rubert A.
Published: January 2023

There is tittle research describing the process by which organizations decide to issue the “all-clear” to terminate an evacuation and of the process by which evacuated families decide to return to their homes. These processes art inherently more problematic in evacuations triggered by chemical or radioactive agents than is usually the case in evacuations occasioned by natural disasters. This paper presents some examples of toxic chemical evacuations as background far an examination of the process of terminating evacuations. The “all-clear” message and the pre-disaster warning message are taken as analogous, as are the decisions to evacuate and to return. Variables that research has shown explain warning and evacuation behavior are evaluated in relation to the all-clear and return. Ending evacuations where toxic agents are concerned are more problematic because there iff greater conflict which in turn lessens the credibility of all-clear messages. Both the Sources of these differences and their cconsequences explored.
Fleeing from Harm: International Trends in Evacuations from Chemical Accidents
Authors: Cutter Susan L.
Published: January 2023

This paper surveys the historical context of chemical hazards through an examination of the international pattern of airborne releases from 1900–1989. Changes in the frequency of incidents and the prevalence of evacuations during this time period are examined. A total of 333 accidents were found, mostly originating from stationary facilities such as chemical plants or industrial sites. Nearly one-third of the incidents involved an acutely toxic chemical release. There was a significant increase in the frequency of incidents over time, with a record number of incidents occurring in the 1980–89 period. Earlier decades were characterized by ammunition and natural gas explosions resulting in numerous fatalities and injuries, but very few evacuations. Later decades (1960s onward) show more acutely toxic releases, fewer fatalities, more injuries, and more evacuation events with larger numbers of evacuees. The majority of evacuation events, however, involved between 1,000–6,000 evacuees. The historical context of chemical hazards is important and more instructive than simple case studies in furthering our understanding of chemical hazards and evacuation responses.
Hurricane Evacuation Behavior
Authors: Baker Earl J.
Published: January 2023

Researchers have conducted sample surveys following at least twelve hurricanes from 1961 through 1989 in almost every state from Texas through Massachutts. The resulting database is larger than that for any other hazard, and many generalizations are feasible concerning factors accounting for variation in response to hurricane threats.

Risk area and actions by public officials are the most important variables affecting public response. When public officials are aggressive in issuing evacuation notices and disseminate the messages effectively. over 90 percent of the residents of high-risk barrier islands and open coasts evacuate. People hearing, or believing they hear, official evacuation advisories or orders are more than twice as likely to leave in most locations. A greater percentage of mobile home dwellers evacuate than occupants of other housing, especially in modelate-risk and low-risk areas. General knowledge about hurricanes and hurricane safety is weakly related or unrelated to evacuation, but belief that one's own home is subject to flooding is strongly associated with whether the occupant leaves. Length of residence in hurricane prone areas and hurricane experience are not good predictors of response. The great majority of people who evacuate unnecessarily in one hurricane will still leave in future threats.
Designing an Interactive, Intelligent, Spatial Information System for International Disaster Assistance
Authors: Comfort Louise K.
Published: January 2023

The complexity of disaster environments poses an extraordinary burden on human decision makers to take timely, appropriate action in uncertain conditions. The information load escalates beyond our limited cognitive capacity for processing information, yet timely action is critical when lives are at risk. The information burden increases with scope and complexity in disaster environments, impeding action despite available resources and committed personnel. The author argues that if individual and organizational learning processes can be increased in complex disaster environments, this knowledge may be shared with the wider international community to generate a stronger capacity to reduce the risk of and losses from, disaster; and offers a design for an interactive, intelligent spatial information system which can provide decision-makers with flexible capacity to obtain an overview of the entire set of disaster response operations, while retaining the capacity for detailed examination of specific problems at any given time.
Relocation or Proximity? Major Factors Associated with Prolonged Impact Following Dioxin Contamination and Flooding in Missouri
Authors: Goodman Patricia G. , Vaughan C. Edwin , Gill Derek
Published: January 2023

Original data collected in the AARP-Andrus study were used as basis for comparative study of delayed recovery by disaster type, proximity, and relocation. Disaster samples included 109 flooded, 100 dioxin-contaminated, and 145 affected by both disasters at Times Beach or a total of 354 S's. Proximity (had or still resided on confirmed dioxin sites), and disaster type were significantly associated with delayed recovery. Relocation was not associated with recovery; however, lack of permanent relocation and attitudes toward relocation were found to affect recovery among the dioxin sample; with younger persons reporting greater effects than elders. Data support other studies on chemical disasters; and add the components of examining effects of relocation and proximity, and the prolonged effects of man-made disasters vs. natural disasters.
The Man who Helped Sammy Prince Write: Dwight Johnstone and the Halifax Explosion
Authors: Scanlon Joseph , Osborne Gillian
Published: January 2023

In Catastrophe and Social Change, generally acknowledged to be the first academic study of disaster, Samuel Henry Prince draws heavily on an unpublished manuscript by a Nova Scotian journalist Dwight Johnstone. Johnstone's manuscript is now in the Public Archives of Nova Scotia. It reveals something of what Prince was doing after the explosion. It also provides new information about the response in Halifax, including information about the absence of panic, the absence of role abandonment and the presence of all three types of convergence. Johnstone's manuscript includes some speculation about the cause of the explosion and is written in rather flowery language but it is a significant contribution to our knowledge about disaster response. It is important in its own right as well as for its impact on Prince.
Uncommon Hazards and Orthodox Emergency Management: Toward a Reconciliation
Authors: Britton Neil R.
Published: January 2023

Effective emergency management requires a close fit between state of risk and stale of hazard management. If these components get out of phase, a marked increase in societal vulnerability is likely to prevail. Recognizing that the major burden for developed societies has shifted from risks associated with natural processes to those arising from technological development and application, disaster-relevant organizational networks have adopted a Comprehensive Emergency Management “all-hazards” approach. However, in Australia, as elsewhere, technological hazards present major problems for emergency managers because they pose different and often more difficult predicaments than do the more familiar natural hazards. While CEM is a good “in principle” strategy, the practices needed to pratect society from a diversity of disaster-producing agents are more difficult to achieve. Two explanations are given for this: misperceptions about common features of hazard types; and differential progress between social components. The concept of cultural lag provides an explanatory framework as to why predicaments like this occur; and the concept of disaster subculture may provide a solution.
The Potential for Right to Know Legislation in Canada
Authors: Collins John
Published: January 2023

Increasing public concern about environmental pollution has led to the implementation of a series of laws and public information systems about toxic hazards, known as the Right to Know, in the both United Stales and the European Community. The theoretical underpinnings of the Right to Know movement are examined, along with the implementation processes undertaken in the USA and Europe. The American model, in particular, is linked to the emergence of environmental public action groups and a corresponding decrease in government regulation. This system is criticized as being overly dependent on litigation as a punitive measure against corporate polluters, On the other hand, the European model fails to directly empower community's with specific information and is weak on implementation strategies. Many of Our characteristics which brought about the American Right to Know legislation are apparent in Canada. However, differences in the manner in which the Canadian and American public and private sectors are organised are outlined. indicating why the American style legislation would be inappropriate in Canada. Nevertheless, a Canadian Right to Know system is required, although it is suggested that it be bused upon the expert driven risk assessment and public information dissemination program, that characterizes on the European Community approach.
The Response of Local Residents to a Chemical Hazard Warning: Prediction of Behavioral Intentions in Greece, France and the Netherlands
Authors: Wlegman Oene , Komilis Egli , Cadet Bernard , Boer Henk , Gutteling Jan M.
Published: January 2023

In this study Greek, French and Dutch residents of a hazardous chemical complex were confronted with a simulated warning scenario for an industrial accident and intended Junctional and dysfunctional behaviours were measured. Intended functional behaviours were poorly predicted by our model, while dysfunctional behavioral intentions could be predicted rather well. Consequences for hazard communication in the European Community are discussed.
Integrating Disaster Research and Practice: An Overview of Issues
Authors: Neal David M.
Published: January 2023

This special issue of the International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disaster resulted from a conference held at the University of North Texas in February 1991. The conference focused on issues related to integrating disaster research and practice. Both practitioners and researchers discussed the problem of delivering research to the practitioner. Thus, the resulting special issue is slightly different from most other issues of this journal.
Bridging the Gap between Research and Practice: The Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center
Authors: Myers Mary Fran
Published: January 2023

Integrating the hazards research and practitioner communities is the main goal of the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center. Founded in 1975 at the University of Colorado, the center works toward its goal with four main activities: dissemination of hazards information through publication of a bi-monthly newsletter and other forms of reports, and operation of an electronic newsletter; provision of information services through maintenance of a large library and data base on natural hazards; conduct of a modest research program; and sponsorship of an annual workshop. This paper describes these activities and shows how these activities can bridge the gap between researcher and practitioner.
Research Definition and Location of Research: A User's View
Authors: Malone Willie
Published: January 2023

Research plays an important part of the effective emergency manager's profession. Yet, emergency managers seem frightened of research, whether reading work published by academics, or obtaining relevant emergency management information to improve their own planning. This paper provides both emergency managers and researchers information resources. To date, practitioners and researchers have not used most of these resources.
SARA Title III and Community Hazards Planning: The Case of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program
Authors: Feldman David Lewis
Published: January 2023

This paper provides an overview and analysis of the impact of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986's Title III provisions (SARA Title III or Title III) on community participation, risk communication, and other elements of effective emergency preparedness for response to accidental hazardous chemical releases. It employs the U.S. Army's Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) as a case study and applies conclusions from this case to other programs.

The employment of SARA Title by CSEPP exemplifies recent efforts by emergency planners to integrate disaster research theory into the practice of emergency management. This integration has occurred in three specific areas: (1) disseminating risk information to the public; (2) enhancing intergovernmental coordination; and (3) identifying needed resources and legal reforms for ensuring that emergency response and recovery decisions can be made in a timely manner—free of postemergency litigation.
Federal Disaster Relief and Local Government Financial Condition
Authors: Roenigk Dale J.
Published: January 2023

Federal relief for local governments following natural disasters is provided under the assumption that without aid disasters may overwhelm local resources thus slowing recovery. Using loss data for a sample of counties experiencing disasters in the mid-1980s, this paper provides evidence that changes in the financial condition of local governments was not unproved by receiving federal aid. Additionally, the paper shows that the initial financial impacts of disasters may be negative, but that within two years the net effect is positive.
Prognostication of Doom: An Earthquake Prediction's Effect on Four Small Communities
Authors: Showalter Pamela Sands
Published: January 2023

This paper explores public reaction to a pseudoscientific earthquake prediction for the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ) that achieved wide dissemination between 1989–1990. The prediction originated with Iben Browning, holder of a Ph.D. in zoology, a business consultant, and a self-described climatologist (he had no formal training in the field). Browning claimed that conditions on or around December 3, 1990, would be “ripe” for a sizable earthquake in the NMSZ (as well as other areas around the world). Media attention to the prediction was extensive and accelerated as December 3 neared. Because geologists had already published their beliefs that the NMSZ had a high probability of experiencing an earthquake in excess of Richter magnitude 6.0 between 1985–2045, it was important to measure the effect Browning's prediction was having on the public's preparation activities as well as on public understanding of the earthquake threat in the region. Because other researchers were studying larger population centers in the area, this study performed two mail surveys of four small communities in or near the periphery of the NMSZ. Results indicate that high concern levels were generally maintained six months following December 1990. If those concerns are used as a catalyst for continuing mitigation behaviors, the Browning prediction may have benefitted the region. In addition, most respondents indicated that because of the prediction they felt more aware of the earthquake threat, and more prepared for future earthquakes. Finally, regardless of whether an earthquake occurred on December 3, respondents indicated that they would still not only want to hear about future predictions, but that they would not necessarily be more skeptical of such predictions in the future.
Opening a Policy Window: The Costa Rican Hospital Retrofit and Seismic Insurance Programs 1986–1992
Authors: Lavell Allan
Published: January 2023

In December 1986, the Costa Rican Social Security System formally initiated a seismic retrofit program for several of its principal hospitals as well as its administrative headquarters. Between 1983 and 1991 it also implemented a number of major changes in the seismic insurance coverage afforded its installations. Based on full access to internal documents and thirty-four in-depth interviews with key actors, the author examines the role of “focusing” disaster events and the financial, technical, professional, and ethical considerations behind these major innovations in earthquake protection policy.
Community Emergency Planning: False Assumptions and Inappropriate Analogies
Authors: Dynes Russell R.
Published: January 2023

Community emergency planning had its roots in military analogies which viewed emergencies as extensions of “enemy attack” scenarios, Such thinking was embedded in early structural arrangements and was generalized as the appropriate normative model for all emergencies. This model viewed emergencies as conditions of social chaos which could be rectified by command and control. It is argued here that such a view is inadequate based on a knowledge of behavior in emergencies and the model is dysfunctional for planning. A more adequate model is presented, based on conditions of continuity, coordination and cooperation. This problem solving model, based on research rather than military analogies, provides a more adequate set of assumptions as the basis for planning. However, legislative and technological “improvements” often make emergency planning more rigid and increasingly inadequate.
Population and the Detection of Weak Tornadoes
Authors: Aguirre B. E. , Saenz Rogelio , Edmiston John , Yang Nan , Stuart Dietra , Agramonte Elsa
Published: January 2023

This paper uses National Severe Storms Forecast Center's information on 31,969 tornado segments occurring in the continental U.S. during the 1950–1990 period, and ecological information from the U.S. Census on all counties experiencing tornadoes during this period to model the occurrence of weak tornadoes which are most likely to go unreported. The relative complexity of the demographic pattern of counties is insignificantly related to the proportion of counties with weak storms. Metropolitan and other urban counties do not have higher odds of weak tornadoes than rural counties. Inferentially, these results fail to support the prevailing interpretation in the scientific literature of the existence of a noncausal relationship between the frequency of tornado occurrence and demographic complexity of places. An alternative interpretation is suggested.
Media Presentations of a Hazard Event and the Public's Response: An Empirical Examination
Authors: Seydlitz Ruth , Spencer J. William , Lundskow George
Published: January 2023

Very few studies in the area of media reports of hazards and disasters empirically examine the effect of specific characteristics of media portrayals of these situations on responses by the public and even fewer compare these effects across medium. Based on the literature, we derive hypotheses concerning the effect of degree of threat and personal relevance on responses to a hazard event that threatened the water supply of the Greater New Orleans area in the summer of 1988, Using time series analysis to examine all phases of the hazard event, we find that degree of threat significantly influences only one type of response—purchasing bottled water— and only when the threatening information comes from television reports, Personal relevance impacts both purchasing bottled water and calling a bottled water company, regardless of medium (television or newspaper). We discuss the conceptual and methodological implications of these results for future research.
Perceived Characteristics of Environmental Hazards
Authors: Lindell Michael K.
Published: January 2023

This study examined beliefs about three environmental hazards: volcanic eruption, release of toxic gas, and release of radioactive materials held by risk area residents and nonrisk area residents. Analysis of responses within four categories, characteristics of the hazard agent, characteristics of the impact, perceived personal consequences and affective reactions to the hazard, showed the two groups to have qualitatively similar response profiles, although the risk area residents tended to perceive all three hazards as less threatening than did the nonrisk area residents. Both groups showed statistically significant tendencies to use these dimensions in differentiating among the hazards. The data suggest dread of a hazard is more strongly related to the probability of severe personal consequences than to the probability of a major event. Perceived characteristics of the impact appear to mediate the relationship between the event and personal consequences, while the latter evokes thought about the hazard and discussion of it with others.
State of the Art in Evacuation Time Estimate Studies for Nuclear Power Plants
Authors: Urbanik Thomas
Published: January 2023

The purpose of evacuation as a protective action at nuclear power plants is to remove people from areas potentially affected by wind-borne radioactive material. A reason for conducting evacuation time estimate studies is to aid decision makers in the selection of appropriate protective actions. Another reason to conduct evacuation time estimate studies is to identify ways to reduce the evacuation time through the development of appropriate plans.
Integrating City Planning and Emergency Preparedness: Some of the Reasons Why
Authors: Britton Neil R. , Lindsay John
Published: January 2023

When proposing urban redevelopment and renewal schemes, what responsibility does the city planner have to ensure citizens are not placed at risk? How can the practical integration of emergency planning and city planning principles be achieved? While their importance is not contested, questions such as these are not part of the contemporary planner's creed, even though the industrial hazardscape of cities and towns, in particular, is increasing. There is a compelling need for a closer integration between disaster and city planning. Planners need to consider aspects of emergency management, risk assessment and hazard vulnerability in their planning and development deliberations. An emergency management focus is particularly necessary when urban renewal and redevelopment is being considered. Of special importance is the need for planners to understand that large-scale urban and industrial projects can exacerbate the plight of existing ‘at—risk’ groups, and may even create a more hazardous social environment for both existing and future populations. These issues are examined in two articles. This first paper examines the issues in the context of emergency management and other relevant literature. In the second paper two case studies are presented to demonstrate how these issues translate into practice.
Societal Response to Revised Earthquake Probabilities in the San Francisco Bay Area
Authors: Mileti Dennis S. , Darlington JoAnne DeRouen
Published: January 2023

Using data collected on the general public, health, safety and welfare agencies and organizations, and businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area we describe what people thought and did in response to receiving an informational newspaper insert about revised probabilities for the next damaging Bay Area earthquake. Our findings suggest that the insert was relatively successful in reaching all groups, that Bay Area residents are making earthquakes a permanent part of local culture, and sufficient knowledge may be in-hand with which to effectively and productively manage public earthquake predictions.