Support Disaster Response Research Articles

Dynamic formulation for humanitarian response operations incorporating multiple organisations

Disasters represent a significant challenge for countries globally. Balancing human and material resources during these situations is not a trivial issue, and that is further complicated by the participation of several actors at multiple periods. However, there is an absence of articles considering the importance of deploying only the required organisations for response activities depending on the conditions and the stage of the disaster. This research proposes a dynamic model to support disaster response which incorporates human and material resources from multiple organisations. The multi-modal, multi-commodity optimisation model supports resource allocation and relief distribution decisions through the maximisation of the level of service provided to disaster victims and the minimisation of cost. The model is the first dynamic formulation in the literature with the ability to optimise the number, type and stage of deployment of organisations required according to the circumstances of the emergency. The model has been applied to two major floods that have occurred in Mexico in recent years. Each case was tested using three different scenarios to investigate the ability of the model to handle different conditions. The results of both cases were compared to scenarios with independent participation from each organisation and an instance capturing the real decisions made by Mexican authorities. The results showed the inefficiency stemming from independent decision-making, an excess of actors involved in the real instances of both cases, the applicability of the model to different circumstances, and the value of the ability to modify the number of organisations involved per stage.

Lessons Learned from Community Health Providers in Posthurricane Receiving Communities

Abstract There is an accumulating body of research on behavioral health, temporary displacement, and social connectedness after disasters; however, less is known about perceptions of providers regarding services and the effectiveness of the services that are offered. The purpose of this study is to provide an in-depth analysis of reflections from providers who worked immediately after Hurricane Katrina in the Greater Baton Rouge area, which was one of the largest receiving communities. This study provides a response legacy framework with findings that emphasize collaboration, improved understanding of cultural differences, disaster planning and readiness, improved understanding of trauma informed care, self-care, and policy changes. The study also provides ways to support disaster response professionals in their efforts toward increasing social justice and fostering of community resilience. Our study found that providers were satisfied with their postdisaster work and feel that evidence informed changes t...

Normalizing shadows in multi-temporal aerial frame imagery using relative radiometric adjustments to support near-real-time change detection

This study addresses the problem of shadows in multi-temporal imagery, which is a key issue with change detection approaches based on image comparison. We apply image-to-image radiometric normalizations including histogram matching (HM), mean-variance (MV) equalization, linear regression based on pseudo-invariant features (PIF-LR), and radiometric control sets (RCS) representing high- and low-reflectance extrema, for the novel purpose of normalizing brightness of transient shadows in high spatial resolution, bi-temporal, aerial frame image sets. Efficient shadow normalization is integral to remote sensing procedures that support disaster response efforts in a near-real-time fashion, including repeat station image (RSI) capture, wireless data transfer, shadow detection (as precursor to shadow normalization), and change detection based on image differencing and visual interpretation. We apply the normalization techniques to imagery of suburban scenes containing shadowed materials of varied spectral reflectance characteristics, whereby intensity (average of red, green, and blue spectral band values) under fully illuminated conditions is known from counterpart reference images (time-1 versus time-2). We evaluate the normalization results using stratified random pixel samples within transient shadows, considering central tendency and variance of differences in intensity relative to the unnormalized images. Overall, MV equalization yielded superior results in our tests, reducing the radiometric effects of shadowing by more than 85 percent. The HM and PIF-LR approaches showed slightly lower performance than MV, while the RCS approach proved unreliable among scenes and among stratified intensity levels. We qualitatively evaluate a shadow normalization based on MV equalization, describing its utility and limitations when applied in change detection. Application of image-to-image radiometric normalization for brightening shadowed areas in multi-temporal imagery in this study proved efficient and effective to support change detection.

Sensitivity analysis of automatic landslide mapping: numerical experiments towards the best solution

The automatic detection of landslides after major events is a crucial issue for public agencies to support disaster response. Pixel-based approaches (PBAs) are widely used in the literature for various applications. However, the accuracy of PBAs in the case of automatic landslide mapping (ALM) is affected by several issues. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of ALM using PBA through digital terrain models (DTMs). The analysis, carried out in a study area of Poland, consisted of the following steps: (1) testing the influence of selected DTM resolutions for ALM, (2) assessing the relevance of diverse landslide morphological indicators for ALM, and (3) assessing the sensitivity to landslide features for a selected size of moving window (kernel) calculations for ALM. Ultimately, we assessed the performance of three classification methods: maximum likelihood (ML), feed-forward neural network (FFNN), and support vector machine (SVM). This broad analysis, as combination of grid cell resolution, surface derivatives calculation, and performance classification methods, is the challenging aspect of the research. The results of almost 500 experimental tests provide valuable guidelines for experts performing ALM. The most important findings indicate that feature sensitivity in the case of kernel size increases with coarser DTM resolution; however, the peak of the optimal feature performance for the selected study area and landslide type was demonstrated for a resolution of 20 m. Another finding indicated that in combining a set of topographic variables, the optimal performance was acquired for a DTM resolution of 30 m and the support vector machine classification. Moreover, the best performance of the identification is represented for SVM classification.

Application of Portable Gasification Stove in Supporting Disaster Response

<p><em>The application of micro-gasification stove technology for outdoor and disaster response activities is one of the renewal efforts in the utilization of biomass waste to energy. This study uses a portable micro-gasification stove type of natural draft which consists of three important compartments, namely the equalizer chamber, reactor chamber, and chimney. The unique ventilation of the reactor and chimney in this furnace will form a vertically spiraled air flow. This air flow will help complete combustion throughout the reactor chamber and accelerate the process of heating and gasification. Empirical test on this stove has been done by using a naturally dried twig and some kind of processed biomass (briquette/pellets). The peak temperature of the fire was not much different, ranging from 700 °C to 900 °C. With a total mass about 250 grams for each fuel (dry twigs, wood powder briquettes, and paper waste pellets), the duration of the flame occurs between 15 to 30 minutes depending on the fuel variant. In this experiment, the resulting fire was able to boil water with a volume of 500 ml in less than 7 minutes. While the remaining combustion, the live coals in the reactor is still able to warm water with the same volume from room temperature, about 28 °C to 80°C without any addition of fuel. Considering the performance and ease of procurement, storage, and distribution of fuel, the portable micro gasification stove is feasible to serve as a tool for disaster response support.</em></p>

Effects and Issues of Information Sharing System for Disaster Response

In disaster response, wherein many organizations undertake activities simultaneously and in parallel, it is important to unify the overall recognition of the situation through information sharing. Furthermore, each organization must respond appropriately by utilizing this information. In this study, we developed the Shared Information Platform for Disaster Management (SIP4D), targeted at government offices, ministries, and agencies, to carry out information sharing by intermediating between various information systems. We also developed a prototype of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED) Crisis Response Site (NIED-CRS), which provides the obtained information on the web. We applied these systems to support disaster response efforts in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes and other natural disasters. We analyzed the effects of and issues experienced with the information sharing systems. As effects, we found 1) the realization of increased overall efficiency, 2) validity of sharing alternative information, and 3) possibility of using the system as a basis for information integration. As future issues, we highlight the needs for 1) advance loading of data, 2) machine readability of top-down data, and 3) identifying the common minimum required items and standardization of bottom-top data.

Integration of energy analytics and smart energy microgrid into mobile medicine operations for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

Disasters create major strain on energy infrastructure in affected communities. Advances in microgrid technology offer the potential to improve "off-grid" mobile disaster medical response capabilities beyond traditional diesel generation. The Carolinas Medical Center's mobile emergency medical unit (MED-1) Green Project (M1G) is a multi-phase project designed to demonstrate the benefits of integrating distributive generation (DG), high-efficiency batteries, and "smart" energy utilization in support of major out-of-hospital medical response operations. Carolinas MED-1 is a mobile medical facility composed of a fleet of vehicles and trailers that provides comprehensive medical care capacities to support disaster response and special-event operations. The M1G project partnered with local energy companies to deploy energy analytics and an energy microgrid in support of mobile clinical operations for the 2012 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Charlotte, North Carolina (USA). Energy use data recorded throughout the DNC were analyzed to create energy utilization models that integrate advanced battery technology, solar photovoltaic (PV), and energy conservation measures (ECM) to improve future disaster response operations. The generators that supply power for MED-1 have a minimum loading ratio (MLR) of 30 kVA. This means that loads below 30 kW lead to diesel fuel consumption at the same rate as a 30 kW load. Data gathered from the two DNC training and support deployments showed the maximum load of MED-1 to be around 20 kW. This discrepancy in MLR versus actual load leads to significant energy waste. The lack of an energy storage system reduces generator efficiency and limits integration of alternative energy generation strategies. A storage system would also allow for alternative generation sources, such as PV, to be incorporated. Modeling with a 450 kWh battery bank and 13.5 kW PV array showed a 2-fold increase in potential deployment times using the same amount of fuel versus the current conventional system. The M1G Project demonstrated that the incorporation of a microgrid energy management system and a modern battery system maximize the MED-1 generators' output. Using a 450 kWh battery bank and 13.5 kW PV array, deployment operations time could be more than doubled before refueling. This marks a dramatic increase in patient care capabilities and has significant public health implications. The results highlight the value of smart-microgrid technology in developing energy independent mobile medical capabilities and expanding cost-effective, high-quality medical response.

Legitimation Work Within a Cross-Sector Social Partnership

This study illuminates how a cross-sector social partnership legitimizes itself toward multiple internal and external stakeholders. Within a single-case study design, we collected retrospective and real time data on the partnership between Deutsche Post DHL and The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Within this partnership, Deutsche Post DHL provides corporate volunteers that support disaster response after natural disasters on a pro bono basis. The main objects that needed legitimacy as well as the audiences from which legitimacy was mainly sought changed over time. In addition, we identified legitimation work as occurring across objects, audiences, and time. Thus, we introduce legitimation work as the purposeful effort of the legitimacy seeker to avoid certain issues while ensuring other issues that are of importance to the conferrer of legitimacy. These findings contribute to micro-level considerations within institutional theory which view legitimacy as socially constructed between legitimacy seeker and conferrer. Hence, we add another perspective on legitimation to the previously existing conceptualizations of legitimacy as a deterministic consequence of institutionalization.

Nongovernmental Resources to Support Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery

Although recent emergencies or disasters have underscored the vital role of nongovernmental (NGO) resources, they remain not well understood or leveraged. We intended to develop an assets framework that identifies relevant NGO resources for disaster preparedness and response that can be used to assess their availability at state and local levels. We conducted a search of peer-reviewed publications to identify existing asset frameworks, and reviewed policy documents and gray literature to identify roles of NGOs in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. A standardized data abstraction form was used to organize the results by NGO sector. We organized NGO assets into 5 categories: competencies, money, infrastructure or equipment, services, relationships, and data for each of the 11 sectors designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the 2011 preparedness capabilities. Our findings showed that the capacity of each sector to capture data on each asset type needs strengthening so that data can be merged for just-in-time analysis to indicate where additional relief is needed.

Legitimation Work within a Cross-Sector Social Partnership

This study illuminates how a cross-sector social partnership legitimizes itself towards multiple internal and external stakeholders. Within a single-case study design, I use retrospective and real time data on the partnership between Deutsche Post DHL and The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Within this partnership, Deutsche Post DHL provides corporate volunteers that support disaster response after natural disasters on a pro bono basis. My analysis shows that the main objects that needed legitimacy as well as the audiences from which legitimacy was mainly sought changed over time. In addition, I have identified legitimation work as occurring across objects, audiences and time. Thus, I introduce legitimation work as the purposeful effort of the legitimacy seeker to avoid certain issues while ensuring other issues that are of importance to the conferrer of legitimacy. These findings contribute to micro-level considerations within institutional theory which view legitimacy as socially constructed between legitimacy seeker and conferrer. Hence, I add another perspective on legitimation to the previously existing conceptualizations of legitimacy as a deterministic consequence of institutionalization.

Lessons Learned from Data Management Activities after the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011

This paper summarizes our effort towards managing the multi-disciplinary disaster-related data from the Great East Japan Earthquake, which happened on March 11, 2011 off the coast of Northeast Japan. This earthquake caused the largest tsunami in the recorded history of Japan, killed many people along the coast, and caused a nuclear disaster in Fukushima, which continues to affect a large area of Japan. Just after the earthquake, we started crisis response data management activities to provide useful information for supporting disaster response and recovery. This paper introduces the various types of datasets we made from the viewpoint of data management processing and draws lessons from our post-disaster activities.

Using Service-Based GIS to Support Earthquake Research and Disaster Response

Service-based geographic information system (GIS) technologies can enable an open-architecture cyberinfrastructure to provide standards-compliant data products and computing services for both earthquake research and disaster planning and response. Here, a service-based GIS framework is evaluated using examples from two earthquake science projects: QuakeSim and E-Decider.

Application of Near Real-Time and Multiscale Three Dimensional Earth Observation Platforms in Disaster Prevention

Taiwan frequently experiences natural disasters such as typhoons, floods, landslides, debris flows, and earthquakes. Therefore, the instant acquisition of high-definition images and topographic or spatial data of affected areas as disasters occur is crucial for disaster response teams and making emergency aid decisions. The National Applied Research Laboratories has implemented the project “development of near real-time, high-resolution, global earth observation 3D platform for applications to environmental monitoring and disaster mitigation.” This developmental project integrates earth observation techniques, data warehousing, high-performance visualization displays, grids, and disaster prevention technology to establish a near real-time high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) disaster prevention earth observation application platform for Taiwan. The main functions of this platform include (1) integration of observation information, such as Formosat-2 satellite remote sensing, aerial photography, and 3D photography of disaster sites, to provide multidimensional information of the conditions at the affected sites; (2) disaster prevention application technologies, such as large-sized high-resolution 3D projection system, medium-sized active stereo projection systems, and small-sized personal computers with multiscale 3D display systems; (3) a 3D geographical information network platform that integrates data warehousing and cloud services, complies with the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) international standard for image data exchange and release processes, and includes image overlaying and added-value analysis of disasters; and (4) near real-time and automated simulation of image processing procedures, which accelerates orthophoto processing once raw data are received from satellites and provides appropriate images for disaster prevention decision-making within 3 to 6 h. This study uses the 88 Flood event of Typhoon Morakot in 2009, Typhoon Fanapi in 2011, and the 311 Earthquake of Japan in 2011 as examples to dissert the applications, functions and features of this platform for supporting disaster response and disaster recovery decision-making.

What if Hurricane Katrina Hit in 2020? The Need for Strategic Management of Disasters

What would another Hurricane Katrina bring in 2020? Is government at all levels ready for such an event? This essay argues that learning to manage actions supporting disaster response and recovery operations consistently and effectively requires strategic, not reactive, thinking. It adopts a framework based in issues focused thinking, externally focused management, and opportunity‐seeking behavior to examine the complex mix of individuals, organizations, and actions involved in response and recovery. The authors conclude that strides have been made since Katrina, but the development of greater strategic capacity is a necessary prerequisite to effective disaster management in the future. Wise and fortunate indeed is that community that has so analyzed its problems and needs, and has so prepared to make use of catastrophe should it come by plans for carrying out programs of improvements, that the aftermath of tragedy finds its victims as well cared for as humanly possible and in addition some tangible new advance in the equipment and life of the community. —John Gaus, 1947

Last Mile Vehicle Supply Chain in the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

We study the last mile vehicle supply chain in the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The IFRC is one of the benchmark humanitarian organizations working in disaster response and development programs. We analyze the IFRC “better, faster and cheaper” last mile vehicle supply chain using Lee’s Triple-A framework of agility, adaptability and alignment. We identify the objective functions and main trade-offs for this supply chain. The objective of the last mile vehicle supply chain supporting disaster response is agility. The extra cost to achieve agility in disaster response programs is compensated with the objective of cost effectiveness in the last mile vehicle supply chain supporting development programs. Cost effectiveness is obtained sacrificing speed. We also identify challenges to the IFRC last mile vehicle supply chain. We suggest areas where operations research and management science can reduce costs which translates into increasing IFRC’s investment in social welfare of populations in need.

Supporting disaster response and recovery through improved situation awareness

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss how a high level of situation awareness (SA) has the potential to enhance first responders' performance and manage work demand resulting from distributed, dynamic, and chaotic situations resulting from a disaster in modern urban environments. It also aims to present a theoretical framework to address needs of an effective disaster response, enhanced collaboration and improved SA. The purpose of this is to help better understand current disaster response schemes in terms of SA, based on the understanding, find a way to improve the disaster response effectiveness, and quantitatively evaluate existing and future disaster response processes. The paper seeks to characterize current disaster response operations by various shortcomings, including inability to access information, lack of coordination, and poor communications. All this makes it difficult to deal with dynamic work demand resulting from disasters.Design/methodology/approachA response framework, integrating IT and Civil Engineering components is presented highlighting the relationship between situation awareness, collaboration and performance. Also, the implementation approach is discussed.FindingsThe paper finds that SA is very relevant to ensuring how much a current disaster response system is effective cognitively and physically, and in understanding how well disaster response systems support the responders at both strategic and operational levels.Practical implicationsSupport of Civil Engineers and IT components can increase the response performance by facilitating collaboration through improved SA.Originality/valueThe paper presents a comprehensive framework and implementation approach to ensure effectiveness of disaster response operations. The framework ensures high situation awareness while supporting collaboration among first responders, including improved civil engineers' roles and exploiting IT components to collect, analyze, and share information.

Disaster and Emergency Management: Canadian Nurses' Perceptions of Preparedness on Hospital Front Lines

Three years following the global outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), a national, Web-based survey of Canadian nurses was conducted to assess perceptions of preparedness for disasters and access to support mechanisms, particularly for nurses in emergency and critical care units. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) nurses' sense of preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks and naturally occurring disasters will be higher than for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN)-type disasters associated with terrorist attacks; (2) perceptions of preparedness will vary according to previous outbreak experience; and (3) perceptions of personal preparedness will be related to perceived institutional preparedness. Nurses from emergency departments and intensive care units across Canada were recruited via flyer mailouts and e-mail notices to complete a 30-minute online survey. A total of 1,543 nurses completed the survey (90% female; 10% male). The results indicate that nurses feel unprepared to respond to large-scale disasters/attacks. The sense of preparedness varied according to the outbreak/disaster scenario with nurses feeling least prepared to respond to a CBRN event. A variety of socio-demographic factors, notably gender, previous outbreak experience (particularly with SARS), full-time vs. part-time job status, and region of employment also were related to perceptions of risk. Approximately 40% of respondents were unaware if their hospital had an emergency plan for a large-scale outbreak. Nurses reported inadequate access to resources to support disaster response capacity and expressed a low degree of confidence in the preparedness of Canadian healthcare institutions for future outbreaks. Canadian nurses have indicated that considerably more training and information are needed to enhance preparedness for frontline healthcare workers as important members of the response community.

Information System Supporting Disaster Response of a Local Government in the 2005 Hurricane Katrina Disaster

Information System Supporting Disaster Response of a Local Government in the 2005 Hurricane Katrina Disaster