Disaster Response Capabilities Research Articles

Multi-Hazard Assessment for Flood and Landslide Risk in Kalimantan and Sumatra: Implications for Nusantara, Indonesia's New Capital

Situated within the Ring of Fire and characterized by a tropical climate and high seismic activity, Indonesia is uniquely vulnerable to natural disasters such as floods and landslides. These events pose significant threats to both the population and infrastructure. This study predicts areas exposed to flood and landslide risk by considering various environmental factors related to climate, topography, and land use. The predictive performance of three machine learning models—naïve Bayes, k-nearest neighbors, and random forest (RF)—was evaluated by comparing the AUC, RMSE, and R2 values of each model. Ultimately, the RF model, which demonstrated the highest accuracy, was used to prioritize disaster impact factors and generate hazard maps. The results identified the interaction of rainfall, land use, and slope aspect as the most critical determinants of hazard occurrence. The predicted hazard maps revealed that approximately 26.7% of the study area was vulnerable to either floods or landslides, with 16.8% of the area experiencing both. The new capital of Nusantara showed a relatively higher multi-hazard risk than did the overall study area and protected zones, with 22.1% of the hazard area vulnerable to both flooding and landslides. In single hazard zones, areas classified as at risk for floods had a higher mean probability of experiencing both hazards (43%), as compared to areas classified as at risk for landslides (22%). As a result, urban planners and relevant stakeholders can now utilize the hazard maps developed in this study to prioritize infrastructure reinforcement and disaster risk areas, integrating land use planning with risk assessment to mitigate the impact of disasters. By employing these strategies, Indonesia and other countries facing similar challenges can now enhance their disaster preparedness and response capabilities in new capital regions and other areas, ultimately planning for more sustainable urban development.

Optimising disaster response: opportunities and challenges with Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) technology in response to the 2020 Labour Day wildfires in Oregon, USA

Background The expanding use of Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) technology in disaster response shows its immense potential to enhance emergency management. However, there is limited documentation on the challenges and data management procedures related to UAS operation. Aims This manuscript documents and analyses the operational, technical, political, and social challenges encountered during the deployment of UAS, providing insights into the complexities of using these technologies in disaster situations. Methods This manuscript documents and analyses the operational, technical, political, and social challenges encountered during the deployment of UAS, providing insights into the complexities of using these technologies in disaster situations. Key results UAS technology plays a significant role in search and rescue, reconnaissance, mapping, and damage assessment, alongside notable challenges such as extreme flying conditions, data processing difficulties, and airspace authorisation complexities. Conclusions The study concludes with the need for updated infrastructure standards, streamlined policies, and better coordination between technological advancements and political processes, emphasising the necessity for reform to enhance disaster response capabilities. Implications The findings of this study inform future guidelines for the effective and safe use of UAS in disaster situations, advocating for a bridge between state-of-the-art UAS research and its practical application in emergency response.

Trajectories of quality of life among disaster victims: A national longitudinal study.

This study categorized quality-of-life trajectories among disaster victims in South Korea and identified the characteristics and predictors of each trajectory. Disaster victims experience tremendous physical and mental distress, which has a long-term impact on their quality of life. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data obtained from the fourth Long-term Survey on the Change of Life of Disaster Victims conducted from 2017 to 2019. The study included 257 participants who experienced a typhoon, earthquake, or fire and completed the three-year follow-up. Latent transition analysis was used to identify the potential class of quality-of-life trajectories among disaster victims. Independent t tests, χ2 tests, and logistic regression were used to identify the predictors of quality-of-life trajectories. Two latent quality-of-life classes were identified: persistent low-level and persistent high-level. Factors associated with the persistent high-level trajectory included higher education level, no injury/disease from the disaster, better subjective health status, higher social support, and lower social maladjustment. Quality of life early after a disaster is maintained throughout subsequent years; early and active support following disasters is essential to promote its rapid improvement. Targeted educational programs in disaster-prone areas are recommended to bolster resilience among individuals with lower education. Moreover, governmental and institutional efforts are needed to support victims who lack resources for disaster recovery. There is a need to establish community-based social support systems and enhance nurses' disaster response capabilities to support vulnerable groups, with such interventions tailored to reflect disaster-affected victims' unique characteristics and needs, along with ongoing research and evaluation for continuous improvements to nursing practice and disaster response.

The Use of Weather, Water, Ice, and Climate (WWIC) Information in the Polar Regions: What Is Known after the Decadelong Polar Prediction Project?

Abstract The polar regions are facing a wide range of compounding challenges, from climate change to increased human activity. Infrastructure, rescue services, and disaster response capabilities are limited in these remote environments. Relevant and usable weather, water, ice, and climate (WWIC) information is vital for safety, activity success, adaptation, and environmental protection. This has been a key focus for the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) Polar Prediction Project (PPP), and in particular its “Societal and Economic Research and Applications” (PPP-SERA) Task Team, which together over a decade have sought to understand polar WWIC information use in relation to operational needs, constraints, and decision contexts to inform the development of relevant services. To understand research progress and gaps on WWIC information use during the PPP (2013–23), we undertook a systematic bibliometric review of aligned scholarly peer-reviewed journal articles (n = 43), examining collaborations, topics, methods, and regional differences. Themes to emerge included activity and context, human factors, information needs, situational awareness, experience, local and Indigenous knowledge, and sharing of information. We observed an uneven representation of disciplinary backgrounds, geographic locations, research topics, and sectoral foci. Our review signifies an overall lack of Antarctic WWIC services research and a dominant focus on Arctic sea ice operations and risks. We noted with concern a mismatch between user needs and services provided. Our findings can help to improve WWIC services’ dissemination, communication effectiveness, and actionable knowledge provision for users and guide future research as the critical need for salient weather services across the polar regions remains beyond the PPP. Significance Statement Every day, people in the Arctic and Antarctic use weather, water, ice, and climate information to plan and carry out outdoor activities and operations in a safe way. Despite advances in numerical weather prediction, technology, and product development, barriers to accessing and effectively communicating high-quality usable observations, forecasts, and actionable knowledge remain. Poorer services, prediction accuracy, and interpretation are exacerbated by a lack of integrated social science research on relevant topics and a mismatch between the services provided and user needs. As a result, continued user engagement, research focusing on information use, risk communication, decision-making processes, and the application of science for services remain highly relevant to reducing risks and improving safety for people living, visiting, and working in the polar regions.

Three-Dimensional Geological Modelling in Earth Science Research: An In-Depth Review and Perspective Analysis

This study examines the development trajectory and current trends of three-dimensional (3D) geological modelling. In recent years, due to the rising global energy demand and the increasing frequency of regional geological disasters, significant progress has been made in this field. The purpose of this study is to clarify the potential complexity of 3D geological modelling, identify persistent challenges, and propose potential avenues for improvement. The main objectives include simplifying the modelling process, improving model accuracy, integrating different data sources, and quantitatively evaluating model parameters. This study integrates global research in this field, focusing on the latest breakthroughs and applications in mineral exploration, engineering geology, geological disaster assessment, and military geosciences. For example, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) tilt photography technology, multisource data fusion, 3D geological modelling method based on machine learning, etc. By identifying areas for improvement and making recommendations, this work aims to provide valuable insights to guide the future development of geological modelling toward a more comprehensive and accurate “Transparent Earth”. This review underscores the global applications of 3D geological modelling, highlighting its crucial role across various sectors such as mineral exploration, the oil and gas industry, urban planning, geological hazard assessment, and geoscientific research. The review emphasizes the sector-specific importance of this technology in enhancing modelling accuracy and efficiency, optimizing resource management, driving technological innovation, and improving disaster response capabilities. These insights provide a comprehensive understanding of how 3D geological modelling can significantly impact and benefit multiple industries worldwide.

A novel sea-land segmentation network for enhanced coastline extraction using satellite remote sensing images

The extraction of coastlines from remote sensing images is vital for promoting sustainable development in coastal areas, conserving marine environments, strengthening disaster response capabilities, and supporting scientific research. However, current coastline detection approaches using remote sensing face challenges related to resolution, terrain, boundary, and data, requiring accurate solutions for reliability. Here, we introduce the Collaborative Supervision and Attention Fusion (CSAFNet) model for pixel-level sea-land segmentation, with a primary goal of improving the accuracy of coastline extraction. The model integrates the Edge Deep Supervision (EDS) module to enhance coastline edge detail fitting. Additionally, the Collaborative Semantic Deep Supervision (CSDS) module and Attention Fusion Module (AFM) collaborate to bridge the semantic gap between different hierarchical features, resulting in a more precise and detailed delineation of coastlines. Experimental validation on the publicly available SLSD 11The dataset was initially labeled as ”sea-land segmentation data” by the authors. For ease of discussion, we will adopt the practice of using the initial letters of each word as an abbreviation. dataset has demonstrated superiority over various advanced methods, with an impressive mIoU value of 96.72%. Through simple optimization, detailed and rich coastlines can be extracted, validating the feasibility of coastline extraction.

Research on the coupling test and organizational collaboration relationship between emergency plans and emergency responses—Based on the social network analysis method

Emergency plan is the action guide of emergency response, and the high coupling level and smooth organizational collaboration between emergency plan and emergency response are the necessary conditions for successful response to emergencies. Based on the case of “4–18″ fire accident in Beijing Changfeng Hospital, use social network analysis to quantify and visualize the coupling level and organizational collaboration relationship between emergency plan and emergency response from the overall network and individual central network. The results of the study found that in the overall network, the emergency plan and emergency response organization collaborative relationship network, has a high level of coupling and organizational collaboration. In the individual central network, the network of emergency plan and emergency response organization collaborative relationship has a low level of coupling and organizational collaboration. The results of this study reveal a noteworthy finding that the function of media organizations is unusually prominent in the network of emergency response organization collaboration, while it is not found in the network of emergency plan organization collaboration. As global risks continue to evolve, the results of the study provide valuable insights for other countries and regions seeking to establish emergency plan networks and emergency response networks with high levels of coupling and organizational collaboration, which are essential for enhancing global disaster prevention, mitigation, and response capabilities.

AI Enabled Drone for Automatic Detection of Human Movements in Disaster Situation

The concept of an innovative drone system designed to revolutionize search and rescue operations in disaster scenarios. This system aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) for automatic human detection, alongside advanced technologies such as cameras, processors, and payload mechanisms. By integrating these components, the drone system will autonomously survey disaster areas, identifying individuals in need of assistance with precision and speed. Upon detection, the system will generate alarms to alert rescue teams promptly. Furthermore, the drone will be equipped with efficient payload dropping mechanisms, enabling it to deliver essential supplies to remote or inaccessible locations within the disaster zone. Through the seamless integration of AI and advanced technologies, this drone system represents a significant advancement in disaster response capabilities, with the potential to save lives and mitigate the impact of disasters on affected communities.

Automated aerial assessment for seamless adaptive adhoc restoration in partially collapsed network

Disasters often result in widespread infrastructure failures, leading to network blackouts that impede critical information dissemination and hamper search-and-rescue operations. This paper presents a novel methodology for expedited assessment and restoration of network connectivity in disaster-affected regions. While existing approaches have made significant contributions, they still face either one or a combination of challenges such as time-consuming procedures, limited coverage, integration complexities, and inaccessibility in certain areas. To address these challenges, we propose two innovative contributions: (1) a novel automated aerial assessment technique for remote identification of network blackouts, offering enhanced accessibility, reduced response times, and heightened reliability; (2) a pioneering automated approach utilizing personal mobile devices (PMDs) to establish alternate multi-hop ad hoc routes from affected regions, enabling auxiliary network formation and seamless integration with surviving networks. The proposed route setup, activated upon detection of network blackouts, facilitates self-managed network maintenance, which adapts to gradual restoration processes, thereby optimizing efficiency, connectivity span, stability, and energy conservation. Both methodologies are rigorously evaluated through simulations and test-bed experiments, demonstrating substantial advancements over existing methodologies. This research contributes to the field by significantly enhancing disaster response capabilities through improved network resilience and rapid connectivity restoration strategies.

Developing an innovative disaster resilience framework with universities as key agents – the value of consolidating international expertise

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the higher education sector has seen an expansion of universities’ expertise from being providers of education, research and knowledge transfer to providers of crisis response capacity for partners and stakeholders. Prior to that, nascent approaches towards delivering disaster mitigation and response capability through community training and volunteering were seen across universities located in areas prone to natural disasters. This leads to the purpose of the paper, which is to address initiatives required to enhance the role of the higher education sector in disaster resilience. Specifically, in relation to driving national policy-making and disaster management activities at the local level, high levels of decentralization prevent effective interventions by central government bodies. Based on an inductive approach, the methods used were informed by an initial fact-finding exercise and a series of roundtable discussions involving senior higher education and disaster resilience experts from across Indonesia and Europe. Building on the four theoretical perspectives, expert opinions then informed the conceptual development of an innovative and scalable disaster resilience framework. Within the higher education sector, this integrates conventional streams of university activity, such as curriculum development, research, innovation, knowledge transfer and networking, with a contextually adapted and appropriate disaster mitigation and response capability.

Experience Sharing in Participating in the Environmental Safety Consultation Program—Tainan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare

<p>本文分享財團法人醫院評鑑暨醫療品質策進會推動「環境安全諮詢計畫」，由兩位國內專家輔導委員及一位國外ACHSI輔導委員以緊急應變計畫、建築與設備、管理機制三大方面進入輔導過程，本文大致分享以國內醫療機構面臨機構建築設備老舊維護困難，在既有建築物空間規劃設計上，防災及疏散因應措施相較薄弱，如何以合宜的因應措施及編列合理改善預算，提升環境安全及災害應變能力，保障人員安全與健康，維持醫療正常營運及財產損害控管。</p> <p> </p><p>This manuscript shares the experience of participating in the “Environmental Safety Consultation Program” promoted by the Joint Commission of Taiwan. The program was guided by two domestic expert advisors and one international advisor from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International, focusing on three major aspects: emergency response plans, architecture and facilities, and management mechanisms. This manuscript broadly discusses how healthcare institutions in Taiwan, facing challenges with the maintenance of outdated buildings and facilities, and weak disaster prevention and evacuation measures due to existing architectural and spatial planning, can implement suitable response measures and allocate reasonable budgets for improvements. The goals are to enhance environmental safety and disaster response capabilities, ensure the safety and health of personnel, maintain normal medical operations, and manage property damage.</p> <p> </p>

Navigating Interoperability in Disaster Management: Insights of Current Trends and Challenges in Saudi Arabia

In this rapid review, we critically scrutinize the disaster management infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, illuminating pivotal issues of interoperability, global cooperation, established procedures, community readiness, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies. Our exploration uncovers a significant convergence with international benchmarks, while pinpointing areas primed for enhancement. We recognize that continual commitments to infrastructural progression and technology adoption are indispensable. Moreover, we underscore the value of robust community involvement and cross-border collaborations as key factors in bolstering disaster response capabilities. Importantly, we spotlight the transformative influence of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, in elevating the effectiveness of disaster management strategies. Our review champions in all-encompassing approach to disaster management, which entails harnessing innovative technologies, nurturing resilient communities, and promoting comprehensive disaster management strategies, encapsulating planning, preparedness, response, and recovery. As a result of our analysis, we provide actionable recommendations to advance Saudi Arabia’s disaster management framework. Our insights are timely and crucial, considering the escalating global focus on disaster response in the face of increasing disaster and humanitarian events.

간호대학생의 재난대응 자기효능감에 영향을 미치는 요인

This study aimed to assess the disaster preparedness, disaster awareness, and disaster response self-efficacy among nursing students who need to act as field responders in the medical disaster, and to identify the factors influencing disaster response self-efficacy. Based on this research, we sought to identify key factors that could improve nursing students' disaster response self-efficacy and provide essential information for the development of programs to strengthen disaster response capabilities.
 A descriptive research design was used with a convenience sample of 400 nursing students. Data for this study were collected from nursing students in four universities located in the Gyeonggi, Jeolla, and Gyeongsang province of South Korea. A survey was conducted from May 1 to June 30, 2019 using a structured questionnaire. A total 336 questionnaires were used for analysis, excluding those with incomplete responses. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were conducted using IBM SPSS/WIN Statistics 21.0. In the multiple regression analysis, statistically significant variables were input in a stepwise manner through difference testing and correlation analysis between general characteristics and disaster response self-efficacy, and nominal variables were recoded as dummy variables.
 As a result of the analysis, the averages of disaster preparedness, disaster awareness, and disaster response self-efficacy were 2.95±2.81, 3.68±0.48, and 2.97±0.51. disaster response self-efficacy was significantly correlated with age(r=-.16, p=.004) and disaster awareness(r=.22, p<.001). The factors influencing disaster response self-efficacy were grade(4th grade)(β=-.588, p=<.001), area of residence(Jeolla-do)(β=-.206, p=.001), area of residence(Gyeongsang-do)(β=.486 p=<.001), size of residence(city)(β=.153, p=.021), experience with disaster nursing education(yes)(β=.151, p=.002) and disaster awareness(β=.216, p<.001), which explained 28.7% of the variances.
 These findings suggest that disaster response self-efficacy may vary based on exposure to disaster-related information or education. Therefore, disaster education should be continuously provided through regular or non-regular courses. Additionally, as disaster response self-efficacy may differ based on the residence area and its size, it is important to consider individual characteristics related to students' homes, schools, and local communities when developing or implementing disaster response programs. Consequently, various educational media and intervention programs should be utilized to enhance nursing college students' disaster preparedness, disaster awareness, and disaster response self-efficacy.

Inter-organizational collaboration after institutional reform in China: A perspective based on the revision of the emergency plan

In an era marked by increasingly complex risks and extreme disasters, nations are progressively leaning towards inter-organizational collaboration as a means to adapt and respond effectively. Guided by the principles of holistic governance and comprehensive emergency management, the establishment of comprehensive coordination institutions has emerged as a vital strategy for enhancing a country’s emergency response capabilities. Nevertheless, the transformation of inter-organizational cooperation networks following institutional reform remains shrouded in ambiguity. This research, employing a blend of quantitative and qualitative analyses within a network theory framework, delves into the shifts within inter-organizational cooperation networks subsequent to institutional reform. By scrutinizing the evolution of emergency plan networks at provincial, municipal, and county levels before and after China’s institutional reform and drawing insights from emergency plan revision personnel, this study unveils a noteworthy trend. Specifically, the inter-organizational collaboration network in China’s emergency management sector has gravitated towards a unified command model, fostering heightened cross-functional cooperation and optimizing network structure. The findings of this study not only shed light on the post-reform dynamics of inter-organizational cooperation networks in China but also offer valuable insights for other countries and regions seeking to develop effective emergency management systems. As the global landscape continues to evolve, understanding and adapting to these changes in network dynamics becomes imperative for bolstering disaster response capabilities worldwide.

Development and update of hospital disaster preparedness and response plan of 25 hub hospitals of Nepal – process documentation

Hospital disaster preparation involves creating systems and processes to enhance a hospital's readiness for emergencies. The first step in crisis management is having a disaster management strategy, mandated by international agreements like the Sendai Framework. The 2015 Nepal earthquake highlighted hospitals' capacity concerns, leading to the inclusion of hub and satellite hospitals in disaster plans. Later, infectious disease management and lessons from COVID-19 were incorporated. The disaster plans for Nepal's 25 hub hospitals, collaborating with Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) and Provincial Health Emergency Center (PHEOC), were updated. Workshops aimed to empower participants to own hospital plans. The Hospital Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan (HDPRP) addresses preparedness, response, and recovery, including COVID-19 management. Developed through testing, the HDPRP, along with workshops and engagement strategies, bolsters hospitals' disaster response capabilities.

Learnings from rapid response efforts to remotely detect landslides triggered by the August 2021 Nippes earthquake and Tropical Storm Grace in Haiti

AbstractOn August 14, 2021, a Mw 7.2 earthquake struck the Tiburon Peninsula of western Haiti triggering thousands of landslides. Three days after the earthquake on August 17, 2021, Tropical Storm Grace crossed shallow waters offshore of southern Haiti triggering more landslides worsening the situation. In the aftermath of these events, several organizations with disaster response capabilities or programs activated to provide information on the location of landslides to first responders on the ground. Utilizing remote sensing to support rapid response, one organization manually mapped initiation point of landslides and three automatically detected landslides. The 2021 Haiti event also provided a unique opportunity to test different automated landslide detection methods that utilized both SAR and optical data in a rapid response scenario where rapid situational awareness was critical. As the methods used are highly replicable, the main goal of this study is to summarize the landslide rapid response products released by the organizations, detection methods, quantify accuracy and provide guidelines on how some of the shortcomings encountered in this effort might be addressed in the future. To support this validation, a manually mapped polygon-based landslide inventory covering the entire affected area was created and is also released through this effort.

Identification of issues in disaster response to flooding, focusing on the time continuity between residents’ evacuation and rescue activities

Recently, there has been a growing concern regarding the severity of flood inundation, and the role of disaster response has become increasingly complex. As the number of problems to be addressed has been on the rise, the limits of individual disaster response capabilities have also been suggested. Therefore, disaster-response activities, whose contents change with time, should be regarded as a series of time-connected processes, and the issues of prolonged disaster responses should be reexamined. This study focused on the relationship between the evacuation of residents at the time of flooding and the subsequent rescue activities. Based on a flooding scenario in a real urban area, simulations were used to examine how different evacuation choices of residents may affect the subsequent rescue activities in the flooded area. The results show that the behavioral models desired in conventional studies of evacuation behavior do not necessarily lead to equally good outcomes throughout the entire disaster response. As a contribution of this study, a dilemma structure was found in which choosing risky evacuation behavior in the short term can ultimately improve the rescue situation. In addition, when residents themselves select their own evacuation behavior, it was found that the evacuation awareness of each resident affects the safety of other residents in the community and that the personal safety of a person is affected by the evacuation awareness of all community residents. It was suggested that not only the response of the government but also the attitude change of individual residents is important to solve this social dilemma.

Hospital-Level Implementation Barriers, Facilitators, and Willingness to Use a New Regional Disaster Teleconsultation System: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

The Region 1 Disaster Health Response System project is developing new telehealth capabilities to provide rapid, temporary access to clinical experts across US jurisdictions to support regional disaster health response. To guide future implementation, we identified hospital-level barriers, facilitators, and willingness to use a novel regional peer-to-peer disaster teleconsultation system for disaster health response. We used the National Emergency Department Inventory-USA database to identify all 189 hospital-based and freestanding emergency departments (EDs) in New England states. We digitally or telephonically surveyed emergency managers regarding notification systems used for large-scale no-notice emergency events, access to consultants in 6 disaster-relevant specialties, disaster credentialing requirements before system use, reliability and redundancy of internet or cellular service, and willingness to use a disaster teleconsultation system. We examined state-wise hospital and ED disaster response capability. Overall, 164 (87%) hospitals and EDs responded-126 (77%) completed telephone surveys. Most (n=148, 90%) receive emergency notifications from state-based systems. Forty (24%) hospitals and EDs lacked access to burn specialists; toxicologists, 30 (18%); radiation specialists, 25 (15%); and trauma specialists, 20 (12%). Among critical access hospitals (CAHs) or EDs with <10,000 annual visits (n=36), 92% received routine nondisaster telehealth services but lacked toxicologist (25%), burn (22%), and radiation (17%) specialist access. Most hospitals and EDs (n=115, 70%) require disaster credentialing of teleconsultants before system use. Among 113 hospitals and EDs with written disaster credentialing procedures, 28% expected completing disaster credentialing within 24 hours, and 55% within 25-72 hours, which varied by state. Most (n=154, 94%) reported adequate internet or cellular service for video-streaming; 81% maintained cellular service despite internet disruption. Fewer rural hospitals and EDs reported reliable internet or cellular service (19/22, 86% vs 135/142, 95%) and ability to maintain cellular service with internet disruption (11/19, 58% vs 113/135, 84%) than urban hospitals and EDs. Overall, 133 (81%) were somewhat or very likely to use a regional disaster teleconsultation system. Large-volume EDs (annual visits ≥40,000) were less likely to use the service than smaller ones; all CAHs and nearly all rural hospitals or freestanding EDs were likely to use disaster consultation services. Among hospitals and EDs somewhat or very unlikely to use the system (n=26), sufficient consultant access (69%) and reluctance to use new technology or systems (27%) were common barriers. Potential delays (19%), liability (19%), privacy (15%), and hospital information system security restrictions (15%) were infrequent concerns. Most New England hospitals and EDs have access to state emergency notification systems, telecommunication infrastructure, and willingness to use a new regional disaster teleconsultation system. System developers should focus on ways to improve telecommunication redundancy in rural areas and use low-bandwidth technology to maintain service availability to CAHs and rural hospitals and EDs. Policies and procedures to accelerate and standardize disaster credentialing are needed for implementation across jurisdictions.

Constructing an adaptability evaluation framework for community-based disaster management using an earthquake event

A community's disaster resilience and response capabilities are highly related to citizens' participation in disaster prevention planning and management. Therefore, community-based disaster management (CBDM) systems should integrate citizen participation and community capital under the category of community resilience, which has been recognized as a key aspect of disaster management. Using an earthquake event as a case, this study proposes an adaptability evaluation framework for CBDM integrating community resilience and capital. Based on interviews with stakeholders and a choice experiment method, we estimate a resident preference model under the CBDM framework. This study also measures resident preference heterogeneity using demographic data and prevention attitudes and estimates the welfare effects of CBDM. Finally, we evaluate residents' willingness to participate in different CBDM scenarios in an earthquake event. The results confirm that residents prefer holding regular disaster prevention drills, the organization of cooperative drills with local governments, the provision of disaster prevention training, and the channeling of both non-government organizations and government resources in response to a disaster. Significantly, in terms of disaster prevention measures, the integrated community disaster management framework garnered the highest willingness to participate among all scenarios, followed by enhancing residents' adaptive ability and focusing on residents' awareness and perceptions. These findings provide valuable insights into the theoretical design and construction of CBDM systems for earthquake events and related policymaking.

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION MANAGEMENT CAPABILITIES OF STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN ILOLO: BASIS OF DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

This research was conducted to determine the disaster risk reduction management capabilities of the State Universities and Colleges and Local Government Units in the Province of Iloilo and formulate a development program based on the result. A total of 160 respondents were involved in this study. In gathering the needed data, a valid and reliable researcher-made instrument in the form of a questionnaire checklist was utilized considering all the variables included in the study. The data gathered were analyzed using the mean, the-Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney set at a .05 alpha level of significance. The findings revealed that the disaster preparedness, disaster response, prevention and mitigation, and rehabilitation and recovery of the four State Universities and Colleges as a whole and classified as an institution was “very satisfactory” while the Local Government Units as a whole and classified as to location was “excellent.”&#x0D; Significant differences existed in the disaster preparedness, disaster response, prevention, mitigation, and rehabilitation and recovery capability levels of the SUCs classified as to institution and LGUs classified as to location. The State Universities and Colleges and Local Government Units’ capability levels in disaster preparedness and disaster response were significantly different while no significant differences in prevention and mitigation and rehabilitation and recovery were found. The challenges encountered by residents during disasters were inadequate.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords:&#x0D; DRRM, Universities, Colleges, LGU