Rapid-onset Disasters Research Articles

Effective Response to Large-Scale Disasters: The Need for High-reliability Preparedness Networks

A continuing preparedness challenge concerns leading, managing, and coordinating multi-agency disaster prevention and response efforts. Effective disaster prevention and response requires a network of preparedness agencies and organizations that functions as a single, high-reliability organization (HRO). High-reliability organizations have been studied extensively; however, the lessons learned in managing HROs have not been systematically applied to the management and operations of multi-agency and private sector organization networks required to respond to large-scale disasters. This paper develops and recommends a leadership and management model for creating and leading high-reliability preparedness networks (HRPNs). The paper demonstrates that the HRPN is key to effectively preparing for and responding to rapid onset disasters such as hurricanes, tsunamis, and mass casualty terrorist events as well as evolving disasters such as infectious disease outbreaks, famines, drought, insect infestations, social system failure, and economic depression.

Epidemiologic features of pet evacuation failure in a rapid-onset disaster.

To describe epidemiologic features of pet evacuation failure after a hazardous chemical spill in which residents had no warning and only a few hours notice to evacuate. Cross-sectional study. Pet-owning households that evacuated from a hazardous chemical spill with (n = 119) or without (122) their pets. Procedures-Evacuees were surveyed by mail. 261 of 433 (60.3%) dogs and cats in 241 households were not evacuated. Of the 241 households, 119 (49.4%) evacuated with their pets, 98 (40.7%) evacuated without them but later attempted to rescue them, and 24 (10.0%) neither evacuated their pets nor attempted to rescue them. Pet evacuation failure was most common in households that thought the evacuated area was safe for pets. Risk of pet evacuation failure increased in households with many animals, low pet attachment and commitment scores, and low levels of preparedness. Cat evacuation failure was associated with not having cat carriers. Nearly 80% of households that evacuated with their pets found accommodation with friends and family. Pet evacuation failure was common and jeopardized pets' health and well-being. Logistical challenges to transporting pets were substantial contributors to pet evacuation failure, whereas not knowing where to house a pet was only a minor concern. Most pet owners seemed self-reliant and acted appropriately towards their pets. Such self-reliant behavior by pet owners should be encouraged prior to disasters as part of an evacuation plan for households.

Initial Behavioral Response to a Rapid Onset Disaster: A Case Study of the October 1, 1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake

This paper examines the immediate response behavior of Los Angeles County residents to the October 1, 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. Drawing on both social science disaster research literature and occupant behavior studies, the authors consider various situational, demographic and socioeconomic variables as potential correlates of actions taken by individuals and families in response to the earthquake which measured 5.9 in magnitude. Survey data were obtained from 690 residents of the county, 191 in a pre-designated high impact area which included the City of Whittier and the immediate area and 499 persons selected at random from the remainder of the county. It was discovered that taking cover in a doorway, hall or under furniture was the modal response for people who were at home or work as was pulling to the side of the road and stopping for those driving on a road or highway. Among those who were at home at 7:42 a.m. when the earthquake struck, fear, the presence and identity of other people and gender were found to be associated with response actions. At work, response behavior was related to fear, ethnicity and the presence of others. The impact of fear on the propensity to take cover both at work and at home appeared to be amplified by several vuriables some of which had no significant bivariate relationship with taking cover. The authors conclude that the findings of this study are consistent with the generalization from the literature that behavior in a rapid onset disaster is controlled, rational and adaptive.