Federal Emergency Management Agency Guidelines Research Articles

Extreme Weather Disruptions and Emergency Preparedness Among Older Adults in Ohio: An Eight-County Assessment

The disproportionate risks and impacts of climate change and extreme weather on older adults are increasingly evident. While especially true in disaster-prone areas, human-caused climate change introduces an element of uncertainty even in previously identified “safe” regions such as the Midwestern United States. Using a cumulative disadvantage and vulnerability-informed framework and descriptive statistics from multiple data sources, this article provides an overview of climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and county-level characteristics, focusing on older adults living in Central Ohio. A comparative multiple-case study methodology was used to triangulate regionally representative primary and secondary data sources to examine state and county-level measures of vulnerability, emergency preparedness, and disruptions caused by extreme weather among older adults across eight counties in Central Ohio. Seventy-eight percent of older adults in the sample reported being prepared for emergencies per Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines. Older adults in Union County reported the highest rates of preparedness, while those in Fayette County reported the lowest. County-level rates of disruption of life activities by extreme weather ranged widely. Among the most rural in the region, Fayette County emerged as uniquely disadvantaged, with the lowest median income, the most vulnerable across multiple social vulnerability dimensions, and the most reported disruptions to life activities from extreme weather. County profiles offer a snapshot of existing vulnerabilities, socioeconomic conditions, special needs, preparedness, and current disruptions among older adults in the region and can inform resource mobilization across community and policy contexts.

Household Food and Water Emergency Preparedness Practices Across the United States.

To evaluate food and water storage practices in the United States, including the extent that government emergency preparedness guidelines were followed. Qualtrics panelists (n = 572) completed a 142-item online survey in August 2014. Cognitive interviews (n = 5) and pilot data (n = 14) informed survey development. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. Open-ended responses related to water storage preparation were classified into 5 categories. Many respondents reported being somewhat or well prepared to provide food and water for their households during a large-scale disaster or emergency. Only 53% met Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines to have water last at least 3 days. Based on respondents' self-report, it appeared that those who prepared personally-filled containers for water did not carefully follow FEMA instructions. Most respondents had non-perishable foods available, with 96% meeting the FEMA guidelines of at least 3 days of storage. Households were generally prepared to provide food and, to a lesser extent, water in emergency situations, but were not consistently following FEMA guidelines. Additional easy-to-follow, evidence-based information may better help citizens accurately implement food and water storage emergency preparedness guidelines.

Earthquake vulnerability of city regions based on building typology: rapid assessment survey

India positions among the top five nations which have been hit by the most number of catastrophic events in the preceding decade. The current study is focussed on seismic vulnerability assessment of buildings by FEMA (Federal emergency management agency) guidelines (HAZUS methodology) in selected regions of a Tier II city of south India–Coimbatore (falling in Zone III as per BIS 1893–2016). For the present study, an earthquake event with a moment magnitude (Mw) 5.4 is considered, which is the Maximum considered event (MCE) for Coimbatore. The predominant typologies of existing buildings of the selected city regions (designated as Corporation wards) are determined by Rapid Visual Screening (RVS methodology). Six model building types were predominant and their peak building response was obtained with the intersection of the capacity curve and demand spectra. Peak building response is utilized for determining the damage probability states viz., slight, moderate, extensive and complete for the building types. The vulnerability index of model building type was obtained by taking a weighted average of damage probability. The distribution of buildings in each ward is incorporated with model building damage probabilities to identify wards of higher seismic vulnerability. The significant variation in the ward wise vulnerability index of selected wards highlights the influence of building typology their distribution pattern across the different regions of the city.

Stormtools Design Elevation (SDE) Maps: Including Impact of Sea Level Rise

Many coastal communities in the US use base flood elevation (BFE) maps for the 100-year return period, specified on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), to design structures and infrastructure. The FIRMs are increasingly known to have serious problems in accurately specifying the risk coastal communities face, as most recently evidenced during hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017 and Florence and Michael in 2018. The FIRM BFE maps also do not include the impact of sea level rise, which clearly needs to be considered in the design of coastal structures over the next several decades given recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sea level rise (SLR) projections. Here, we generate alternative BFE maps (STORMTOOLS Design Elevation (SDE) maps) for coastal waters of Rhode Island (RI) using surge predictions from tropical and extratropical storms of the coupled surge-wave models from the US Army Corp of Engineers, North Atlantic Comprehensive Coast Study (NACCS). Wave predictions are based on application of a steady state, spectral wave model (STWAVE), while impacts of coastal erosion/accretion and changes of geomorphology are modeled using XBeach. The high-resolution application of XBeach to the southern RI shoreline has dramatically increased the ability to represent the details of dune erosion and overtopping and the associated development of surge channels and over-wash fans and the resulting landward impact on inundation and waves. All methods used were consistent with FEMA guidelines for the study area and used FEMA-approved models. Maps were generated for 0, 2 ft (0.6 m), 5 ft (1.5 m), 7 ft (2.1 m), and 10 ft (3.1 m) of sea level rise, reflecting NOAA high estimates at various times for the study area through 2100. Results of the simulations are shown for both the southern RI shoreline (South Coast) and Narragansett Bay, to facilitate communication of projected BFEs to the general public. The maps are hosted on the STORMTOOLS ESRI Hub to facilitate access to the data. They are also now part of the RI Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) risk-based permitting system. The user interface allows access to all supporting data including grade elevation, inundation depth, and wave crest heights as well as corresponding FEMA FIRM BFEs and associated zones.

COASTAL STORM INDUCED EROSION PREDICTIONS FOR FEMA FIS COASTAL HAZARD RISK MAPPING

Flood Insurance Studies (FISs) produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) per the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations and guidelines adopt storm-induced erosion criteria often called the “540 rule”. The methods used in the erosion analysis have been in place since the 1980s. The method requires dunes to be classified as fully eroded, or “removed”, when their cross-sectional reservoir is smaller than 540 square feet. Since the rule’s first application, additional data and recent evidence have become available leading FEMA to identify this approach as an area of the program in need of updating and improvement. Experts involved in conducting coastal hazard analyses for FEMA studies recommend exploring opportunities to improve FEMA guidelines for erosion criterion and revise NFIP regulations and guidance, as needed, to ensure that storm-related erosion hazards are appropriately evaluated and mapped along US coastlines.

Evaluating relief center designs for disaster relief distribution

PurposeRelief item distribution to victims is a key activity during disaster response. Currently many humanitarian organizations follow simple guidelines based on experience to assess need and distribute relief supplies. However, the interviews with practitioners suggest a problem in efficiency in relief distribution efforts. The purpose of this paper is to develop a model and solution methodology that can estimate relief center (RC) performance, measured by waiting time for victims and throughput, for any RC design and analyze the impact of key design decisions on these performance measures.Design/methodology/approachInterviews with practitioners and current practice guidelines are used to understand relief distribution and a queuing network model is used to represent the relief distribution. Finally, the model is applied to data from the 2015 Nepal earthquake.FindingsThe findings identify that dissipating congestion created by crowds, varying item assignment decisions to points of distribution, limiting the physical RC capacity to control congestion and using triage queue to balance distribution times, are effective strategies that can improve RC performance.Research limitations/implicationsThis research bases the RC designs on Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines and assumes a certain area and volunteer availability.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to humanitarian logistics by discussing useful insights that can impact how relief agencies set up and operate RCs. It also contributes to the queuing literature by deriving analytic solutions for the steady state probabilities of finite capacity, state dependent queues with blocking.

Application of State of the Art Modeling Techniques to Predict Flooding and Waves for a Coastal Area within a Protected Bay

Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide guidance in establishing the risk to structures and infrastructure from storm surge sand associated waves in the coastal zone. The maps are used by state agencies and municipalities to help guide coastal planning and establish the minimum elevation and construction standards for new or substantially improved structures. A summary of the methods used and a comparison with the results of 2013 FIRM mapping are presented for Warwick, Rhode Island (RI), a coastal community located within Narragansett Bay. Because of its location, Warwick is protected from significant coastal erosion and wave attacks, but is subject to surge amplification. Concerns surrounding the FEMA methods used in the 2013 FIRM analysis are put in context with the National Research Council’s (NRC) 2009 review of the FEMA coastal mapping program. New mapping is then performed using state of the art, fully coupled surge and wave modeling, and data analysis methods, to address the NRC concerns. The new maps and methodologies are in compliance with FEMA regulations and guidelines. This new approach makes extensive use of the numerical modeling results from the recent US Army Corp of Engineers, North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS, 2015). Revised flooding maps are presented and compared to the 2013 FIRM maps, to provide insight into the differences. The new maps highlight the importance of developing better estimates of surge dynamics and the advancement in nearshore mapping of waves in flood inundated areas by the use of state of the art, two-dimensional, wave transformation models.

Application of State of Art Modeling Techniques to Predict Flooding and Waves for an Exposed Coastal Area

Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide guidance in establishing the risk to structures and infrastructure in the coastal zone from storm surge and coincidental waves. The maps are used by state agencies and municipalities to help guide coastal planning and establish the minimum elevation standard for new or substantially improved structures. A summary of the methods used and results of 2012 FIRM mapping are presented for Charlestown, RI; a coastal community located along the exposed, southern shoreline of the state. Concerns with the methods used in the 2012 analysis are put in context with the National Research Council’s (NRC) 2009 review of the FEMA coastal mapping program. New mapping is then performed using state of the art, fully coupled surge and wave modeling and data analysis methods to address the concerns in the NRC review. The new maps and methodologies are in compliance with FEMA regulations and guidelines. The approach makes extensive use of the numerical modeling results from the recent US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS 2015). Revised flood maps are presented and compared with the 2012 FIRM map to provide insight into the differences. The new maps highlight the importance of developing better estimates of offshore surge dynamics and its coupling to waves, dune erosion based on local observations, and the advancement in nearshore mapping of waves in flood inundated areas by the use of state of the art, two-dimensional wave transformation models.

Continuity of operations planning in college athletic programs: The case for incorporating Federal Emergency Management Guidelines.

College athletic departments have a responsibility to provide a safe environment for student-athletes; however, most colleges do not have a crisis management plan that includes procedures for displaced student-athletes or alternate facilities to perform athletic events. Continuity of operations planning ensures athletic programs are equipped to maintain essential functions during, or shortly after, a disruption of operations due to possible hazards. Previous studies have identified a lack of emergency preparedness and continuity planning in college athletic departments. The purpose of this article is to illustrate in detail one approach to disaster planning for college athletic departments, namely the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continuity of operations framework. By adhering to FEMA guidelines and promoting a best practices model, athletic programs can effectively plan to address potential hazards, as well as protect the organization's brand, image, and financial sustainability after a crisis event.

An evolutionary multi-objective optimization approach to disaster waste management: A case study of Istanbul, Turkey

Disasters can lead to a high risk of casualties and structural damages. Destructive disasters, such as earthquakes, may cause a great amount of disaster waste to be controlled. Reusing and recycling materials in the debris can decrease the need for re-construction resources. These reusable or recyclable materials can be processed in temporary storage sites like the ones suggested by the United Nations and the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines on disaster waste management. The objective of this paper is to build a framework for determining the locations of temporary storage facilities, and includes planning for the collection and transportation of disaster waste in order to manage it in an environmentally sustainable way. In this study, a multi-objective optimization model is developed and solved with an evolutionary elitist multi-objective optimization algorithm (NSGA-II). As a city prone to high earthquake damage, Istanbul has been selected for the illustration of the proposed framework. The objectives of the model are cost minimization and minimization of risk from hazardous waste exposure. The study integrates disaster loss estimation methods with post-disaster waste management.

Enhancing Community Disaster Resilience Through Mass Sporting Events

Disaster response requires rapid, complex action by multiple agencies that may rarely interact during nondisaster periods. Failures in communication and coordination between agencies have been pitfalls in the advancement of disaster preparedness. Recommendations of the Federal Emergency Management Agency address these needs and demonstrate commitment to successful disaster management, but they are challenging for communities to ensure. In this article we describe the application of Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines to the 2008 and 2009 Chicago Marathon and discuss the details of our implementation strategy with a focus on optimizing communication. We believe that it is possible to enhance community disaster preparedness through practical application during mass sporting events.

Evacuation Mapping: The Utility of Guidelines

Maps provided to the public for preventive and protective evacuations should be an integral part of emergency plans. The map design criteria contained in the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) guidelines for nuclear power plants were examined and compared with the content and design of evacuation maps found in the public information publications of thirteen United States nuclear power plants. Results indicated that the graphic and descriptive content of these maps varied considerably. Four characteristics related chiefly to the FEMA guidelines capture some of the findings from this study: 1) failure to comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRQ/FEMA suggestions; 2) failure to comply with FEMA guidelines for map elements; 3) weaknesses present in the FEMA guidelines themselves; and 4) significant omissions in those guidelines.

The design of siren systems for evacuation notification

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued in 1980 a requirement that all operating nuclear power plants must have an alerting system to notify the population with a 10 mile radius of any plant emergency. This paper describes an approach for designing large scale siren systems for public alerting utilizing a sound propagation computer model to aid in siren placement. Siren audibility is a function of siren sound power output and frequency, atmospheric propagation, ambient sound levels, and dwelling insertion loss. Siren audibility criteria are selected for a site based upon measured exterior sound levels, expected interior sound levels and FEMA guidelines. Historical weather records of the site are analyzed to determine temperature, humidity, and wind conditions to input to a computer model. The computer model is then used to predict siren sound level contours taking into consideration site topography from USGS tapes, hemispherical divergence, atmospheric absorption, wind shadows, ground reflections, and vegetation. The results of a typical siren system design will be presented and discussed.