Volume 5: Issue 2 - March 2009
The March issue of Crisis Respone Journal covers a wide range of intenational disasters and emergency responses, with articles written by leading authorities in their fields of expertise
Incident Reports
Ignoring fire safety?
Following the fire in a Bangkok nightclub on New Years’ Eve, which killed 66 people, Tony Oliver reports on the accusations of flouted fire safety rules and inadequate licensing permits surrounding the circumstances of this tragedy
Mumbai terror attacks
Although terrorist attacks in the Indian capital are sadly not unfamiliar, it was the militaristic execution of the attacks in November 2008 which made these incidents stand out. Brett Lovegrove reflects on the lessons that can be learned following his recent trip to Mumbai
Mumbai attacks: Instinctive resilience
When Richard Bingley visited the site of November’s terror attacks, he found a community of strong and resilient workers, preparing to spread the motto ‘enough is enough’
New media’s moment in Mumbai
The perpetrators of November’s terrorist attacks were operating on the same technology as everyday people: Chris Battle argues that it is now time for national and homeland security to face up to this new world of opportunity in media to fully utilise its important communication functions
Features
South Africa’s cross-border disaster response
In an interview with the head of Rescue South Africa, Ian Scher, Hilary Phillips looks at a successful training programme for emergency services taking part in Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
Maritime economic terrorism
John Astbury outlines the growing need for a global answer to tackling piracy. Where increasingly violent hijackings need a reasoned reaction from the international community if the safety of mariners and the security of the maritime economy are to be protected
Commanding crises in Russia
Exploring the role of EMERCOM of Russia, Lina Kolesnikova looks at the Russian National Crisis Management Centre and its many operations
Climate change
Adapting to Europe’s changing climate
After their report into the effects of climate change, the European Environment Agency (EEA) give CRJ a preview of the picture: one of a world with more intense extremes of climate which may prove irreversible
The deadly dozen: Climate change and disease
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has released a report listing 12 pathogens that could spread into new regions as a result of climate change, where they are likely to hit hardest, and also how those affected should be ready
Emergency management
Tales from Oz
Ever thought that the symbolism in the infamous tale, the Wizard of Oz could have indicators and lessons to draw parallels with emergency management? Well, Adam Crowe has as he explains that perhaps we too will find that "there's no place like home"
Changing approaches to emergency management
How we manage emergencies will very much depend upon our resources and understanding of the sociological issues affecting the community, says Christine Jessup: describing what she calls ‘wicked problems’
A resilience infrastructure profile
Andy Marshall updates us on the progress of Staffordshire’s Civil Contingencies Unit, and how the unit has integrateed the lessons within the Civil Contingencies Act and Pitt Review, as well as a number of institutional developments
Leading community self-preparedness for 20 years
Speaking to Bernard Sacquepee, the Mayor of French town Wickerschwihr, Francois Maurer finds out about the innovative emergency plans he has implemented in his 20 years in charge
In depth
Emergency evacuation
Part two of this series picks up on the idea of adequate notice for emergency events, as the specialists webcast between Arn Howitt, Ellis Stanley, Mike Montgomery and Andrew Valesquez III continues
Looking backwards: In the aftermath of death
Denial, happiness, emotional breakdown and outrage are just some of the many reactions that follow the news of a loved one’s death. Jay Levinson looks into the importance of identification and the need to handle those grieving carefully
Emergency response: The success paradox
Dr Isaac Ashkenazi, Dr Leonard Marcus and Dr Barry Dorn have all seen evidence of emergency response that have rested on a false set of ‘success’ parameters. The failure of leadership to look beyond immediate results can often mean the overall considered failure of an operation
CBRNE-E: Setting response standards
For the first in his series of CBRN-E devoted articles, Andy Oppenheimer unravels the case of the poisoning of Russian dissident, Alexander Litvinenko with the unexpected use of polonium 210 radioisotope
Wildland fires: Baltic region
Usually an area of temperate climate conditions, Johann G Goldammer assesses the Baltic region’s protection methods to increased incidents of wildfire, threat to landscape habitats and biodiversity, with the added complication of unexploded ordnance
Regular sections
Books
Crisis Response Journal has ten copies of Holmatro’s new Emergency Shoring and Lifting Techniques to give away. We also take a look at titles on the IRA and The Unthinkable
Events
Emily Kendrick takes a look at the successful December 2008 debut conference, and gives a run down of what delegates can expect from the next instalment, June 10, 2009, along with events across the globe taking place in 2009
From the unknown
In a new feature, ‘from the unknown’, we invite unfamiliar faces to the pages of CRJ to share their experiences and advice for disaster preparedness. In this issue, Jerome Cazes of Coface Holding explains how his company are looking further ahead to the next financial crisis
European civil protection
The response mounted by the EU to the Mumbai terrorist attacks included the use of civilian passenger aircraft as medical assistance, which was a significant aid to the over-burdened Indian medical services
Lessons learned
Jennifer Smither looks at how response can be improved with careful planning and records of the places requiring attention, using examples from Los Angeles and New York