Variables and Relationships Understanding Catastrophe Causes, Consequences and Coordination David McEntire, PhD 1 Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Catastrophes Take place when hazards interact with vulnerability A hazard is an agent that may cause human harm Examples include natural, technological and human-caused hazards 2Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Hazards Can be impressively severe  Arizona meteor crater  Great Sumatra earthquake  China earthquake  Hurricane Katrina  Spanish Flu  Bhopal  9/11  Future threats 3Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Rethinking Hazards We have very little control over hazards Focusing on hazards downplays the human element Scholars suggest we reconsider the “naturalness” of disasters We need to concentrate more on human activities that exacerbate disasters 4Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

The Role of People Environmental Degradation  Tropical diseases may spread  Desertification may occur  Sea levels may rise  Abrupt ice age may result  Storms may increase in frequency and intensity 5Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

The Role of People (cont.) Population Growth  May encourage people to move to hazard-prone areas  May force people to live in densely populated areas 6Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

The Role of People (cont.) Resource Depletion  Watersheds and forests may be lost  Wetlands are in jeopardy  Water is becoming scarce  Food security is in question  Petroleum based economics may collapse 7Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

The Role of People (cont.) Spread of Diseases  Antibiotics may result in mutations  Transportation may spread pathogens 8Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

The Role of People (cont.) Changes in warfare  Terrorists continue to threaten and attack  They target civilians  Their weapons have evolved 9Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Vulnerability Is the dependent variable in catastrophes Refers to proneness and limited capabilities Has two schools of thought: social vulnerability and holistic vulnerability 10Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Social Vulnerability Social relationships (political and economic) are to blame for disasters Law, employment, classes, industry, education, and networks have an impact The vulnerable include the poor, minorities, women, children, the elderly, the disabled, prisoners, etc. 11Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Holistic Vulnerability Accepts premise of social vulnerability school Recognizes other causes: choice of location, engineering, environmental degradation, warning failures, operational mistakes, evacuation decisions, planning, EOC management, apathy, urbanization, diet/exercise, technology, religious beliefs, education, coordination and other factors. 12Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Group Project Divide into groups (of 5 people each) Answer the question “what are other potential causes of vulnerability and catastrophe?” Invite a student from each group to report 13Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Variable Interaction Events are much more complex than initially understood Some events are not sudden A single hazard may trigger other hazards and interact in dynamic ways Examples  Drought, hurricane, earthquake … 14Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Catastrophes are Complicated Mileti’s work on the physical, social and built environments The East Bay Hills Fire 15Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

A Model of Catastrophes External and internal hazards Interaction with vulnerability Production of disasters Resulting increase in vulnerability Model includes physical and social environments as well as liabilities and capabilities 16Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Your Model? Develop your own model of catastrophes Draw your model Discuss it in 2-3 pages and explain its central features 17Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Catastrophes and Society Are non-routine social problems They are unusual They create new and unforeseen challenges Examples  Destroyed homes, no water or utilities … 18Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Impact Medical care becomes problematic Sheltering is difficult Public information is nearly impossible Clean up and debris removal is almost insurmountable Rebuilding is a lengthy process Outside involvement is required 19Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Power Point Presentation Select one catastrophe Identify causes Discuss primary, secondary and tertiary consequences Should last no more than 10 minutes 20Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Intervention Points Mitigation  Serious and thorough risk assessments  Environmental protection  Construction standards  Regulations  Health status and medical capacity  Terrorism prevention 21Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Intervention Points (cont.) Preparedness  All pre-disaster functions (community education, training, grant management, exercises)  All post-disaster functions (particularly evacuation, sheltering, communications and resource management) 22Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Intervention Points (cont.) Response  Vulnerable populations  Damage and impact assessments  Flexible deployment of rescue personnel  Inter-state and international mutual aid compacts  Coordination 23Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Intervention Points (cont.) Recovery  Well-crafted plans  Debris management  Disaster assistance programs  Rebuilding 24Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Writing Assignment 8-10 page paper Addressing a single intervention point in detail Focusing on catastrophes Including lessons learned Illustrating difference to disasters Must provide concrete recommendations 25Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Coordination Models Bureaucratic Model  Centralized  Top down  Rigid  Self-serving individuals 26Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Coordination Models (cont.) Problem Solving Model  Decentralized  Bottom-up  Flexible  Altruistic individuals 27Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Strengths and Implications The Bureaucratic Model The Problem Solving Model The need for inclusion and integration 28Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Class Activity Guest speakers  Fire fighter  Emergency manager Questions about coordination models 29Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course

Conclusion Catastrophes result from hazards and vulnerability Many variables are involved and in complicated ways Impacts of catastrophes are significant Special measures are required Two models can help us manage catastrophes 30Session 3: Catastrophe Readiness and Response Course