@article {bnh-6839, title = {A case study of disaster decision-making in the presence of anomalies and absence of recognition}, journal = {Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management}, year = {2020}, month = {04/2020}, abstract = {

This paper provides an insight into the complexities of decision-making during an unprecedented disaster. We used the critical decision method to explore a series of decision points that were made for a low probability yet high consequence decision that was made by the commander of the Australian Urban Search and Rescue team deployed to Fukushima in 2011. The findings identified that in a situation with no similarities to previous experiences, the commander used a process of anomaly detection to trigger a situational assessment, following this with mental simulation and consultation of his actions. In this unparalleled case study, hazard-specific expertise also supported the decision-making process. The paper offers practitioners and academia an example of high consequence decision-making in a unique situation as well as the opportunity to reflect on the models of decision-making previously identified as useful in these operational environments.

}, keywords = {crisis management, Decision making, Disaster management, hazards}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/1468-5973.12290}, url = {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1468-5973.12290}, author = {Steve Curnin and Brooks, B and Owen, Christine} } @mastersthesis {bnh-8096, title = {Measuring the social, environmental and economic consequences of bridge failure due to natural disasters}, volume = {Doctor of Philosophy}, year = {2020}, month = {01/2020}, pages = {250}, school = {RMIT University}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

With an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in recent times, the vulnerability of infrastructure assets to such events is a major concern for governments and communities worldwide. The last decade has seen an increase in the number of hydro-meteorological disasters, which have caused major social, economic and environmental impacts on the regions affected. Road bridges tend to be one of the most vulnerable infrastructure assets to hydro-meteorological events, as they are designed to cross water-ways and are built across the natural flow of water. As bridges play a vital role in the recovery of a community after a disaster by providing access to the disaster zone, the reconstruction of damaged bridges is a significant aspect of post-disaster recovery.

The prioritisation and reconstruction of bridges tend to be carried out based on financial and engineering assessments, with very limited focus on the wider social, environmental and economic impacts of the decisions made. This thesis argues that a holistic approach in assessing and prioritising bridge reconstruction will increase the sustainability and resilience of the wider infrastructure system. The ensuing research project, part of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre, has explored the importance of a more holistic approach to assessing post-disaster reconstruction impacts and has developed a framework that could be followed by academics and practitioners for this purpose.

The research used a mixed-methods approach; it relied on both quantitative and qualitative data in a single study. As one of the main objectives of the PhD was developing a framework that could be used to assess wider impacts, an iterative process was adopted, which helped in continuously improving the framework with the new knowledge that was gathered throughout the course of the candidature. The review of literature revealed that the majority of post-disaster assessments and subsequent decision-making processes tend to pay less attention to the wider social, environmental and economic impacts of road infrastructure failure. The literature that incorporated wider aspects tends to be focussed on specific impact categories, with none of the studies capturing a comprehensive set of impacts. The literature review also provided the opportunity to analyse the different techniques used by scholars to assess wider impacts, in order to select the most appropriate techniques for the purpose of the study.

Potential end-users of the framework were interviewed to understand how decision making in relation to post-disaster infrastructure reconstruction takes place in a practical sense. The interviews helped the researcher to identify how decision making could be optimised in a resource and time constrained post-disaster setting. The practical requirements of the decision makers were considered to develop a more suitable framework, thus increasing its potential adoption among road reconstruction authorities.

The developed framework was applied to a real life disaster situation - a flood - in which two bridges were damaged, and the resulting social, environmental and economic impacts were assessed. As part of the research project, a toolkit based on the framework was developed in order to carry out this assessment. To the best of the author{\textquoteright}s knowledge, this was the first instance where a comprehensive set of sustainability related impacts of the failure of rural road bridges were assessed. Results showed that the total sustainability related impacts vary based on where the bridge is located, and impacts could range between 25-30\% of the total impacts.

The framework and toolkit were validated through a series of interviews with practitioners and academics working in the areas of infrastructure reconstruction and sustainability. The interviews helped in refining the toolkit to better suit practical applications, without compromising the required theoretical and academic rigour. The reliability of the results obtained through its application in the case studies was tested with a follow-up questionnaire survey to residents in the area and interviews with decision makers working in the region. A further sensitivity analysis of the results was conducted in order to understand how changes in the input values and external variables affect the results. It was found that the socio-economic impacts could be reduced significantly by allowing restricted volumes of traffic to use a bridge rather than being completely closed off during the reconstruction period. A Cost-Benefit Analysis using the developed toolkit could be performed to identify the optimal intervention techniques.

The outcomes of this PhD research can be used by both academics and practitioners in assessing the wider socio-economic and environmental consequences of road infrastructure damage. The toolkit developed through this research is planned to be further modified for use by disaster management and road agencies through a CRC Utilisation Project. The outcomes of this thesis can thus be used by infrastructure engineers to optimise their decision making processes, thereby driving increased sustainability of infrastructure systems and resilience to future disaster events.

}, keywords = {Bridge reconstruction, Disaster management, Infrastructure Engineering and Asset Management, Infrastructure failure, Post-disaster decision making, socio-economic impacts, Sustainability assessment}, url = {https://researchrepository.rmit.edu.au/esploro/outputs/doctoral/Measuring-the-social-environmental-and-economic-consequences-of-bridge-failure-due-to-natural-disasters/9921892204801341$\#$details}, author = {Akvan Gajanayake} } @article {bnh-5480, title = {Cost-effective mitigation strategy development for building related earthquake risk: progress report on economic loss modelling }, number = {472}, year = {2019}, month = {03/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The CRC Project A9 entitled {\textquotedblleft}Cost-Effective Mitigation Strategy Development for Building Related Earthquake Risk{\textquotedblright} is seeking to address the need for an evidence base to inform decision making on the mitigation of the earthquake risk posed by vulnerable Australian buildings.\  It aims to develop information related to more vulnerable Australian building types in the following areas:-

This report describes progress made against the last component which is directed at economic loss modelling.\  The work has been guided by, and is consistent with, the project team consensus achieved at a single day workshop convened at Swinburne University on the 23rd October 2015.

The economic loss modelling approach aims to encompass the information needs of a range of decision makers.\  These view benefits through different {\textquotedblleft}lenses{\textquotedblright} and at differing scales.\  For this research they include:-

In this report a background is provided on the motivations for this project.\  The current findings of an ongoing literature survey are presented, and the economic modelling frameworks proposed by the project team are described.\  This report corresponds with the Geoscience Australia component of the 30 June 2016 project milestone deliverable {\textquotedblleft}Progress Report on Economic and Damage Loss Models{\textquotedblright}.

}, keywords = {cost-effective, Disaster management, earthquake modelling}, author = {Itismita Mohanty and Mark Edwards and Hyeuk Ryu and Martin Wehner} } @article {bnh-5493, title = {Managing animals in disasters (MAiD) - improving preparedness, response and resilience through individual and organisational collaboration: Final Report 2017}, number = {476}, year = {2019}, month = {04/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

The Managing Animals in Disasters (MAiD) project was a three-year research project focusing on the challenges for end users, stakeholders, and community members in preparing for, planning for, and responding to the needs of animals in emergencies. The aim of the project was to identify and build best practice approaches to animal emergency management (AEM) to enable engagement with animal owners and other stakeholders in disasters and emergencies.

}, keywords = {animals, Disaster management, Fire, Natural hazards}, author = {Mel Taylor} } @article {bnh-5763, title = {Older adults in disaster and emergency management: What are the priority research areas in Australia?}, journal = {International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction}, volume = {39}, year = {2019}, month = {07/2019}, abstract = {

In Australia, the proportion of people aged over 65 years is increasing and the frequency and severity of natural hazard events are also increasing. Older adults are often identified as a vulnerable group in natural hazard events, but there has been relatively little research that focuses specifically on older adults and their capacities and needs. This paper describes stakeholder consultation undertaken to identify research priorities related to older adults and natural hazards in Australia, and compares this to current research literature on this topic identified in an initial scoping review. A two-phase modified Delphi study was undertaken with stakeholder organisations within Australia, including older adults{\textquoteright} representative organisations, community services, and emergency services. Stakeholders (n = 112) first identified priority research areas and 649 distinct topics were suggested; thematic analysis was used to refine these to 19 research topic areas that were then rated and ranked for importance by stakeholders during phase two. The top five topic areas identified were {\textquoteleft}Communication and warnings,{\textquoteright} {\textquoteleft}Preparedness,{\textquoteright} {\textquoteleft}Awareness, behaviour and decision-making,{\textquoteright} {\textquoteleft}Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities,{\textquoteright} and {\textquoteleft}Community services and organisations{\textquoteright}. While these topics are covered in some Australian literature, further research {\textendash} particularly in relation to CALD communities, and community services/organisations {\textendash} is needed. This study demonstrates the value of stakeholder engagement and the Delphi approach for identifying research priorities that can best address issues and concerns amongst diverse stakeholders. It also highlights that there is a need for further research with older adults, communities, and stakeholders to support preparedness, risk reduction, and resilience.

}, keywords = {CALD, Disaster management, Emergency management, Natural hazards, Older adults, Stakeholder engagement}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2019.101248}, url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420919301736?dgcid=coauthor}, author = {Lisa Fountain and Matalena Tofa and Katharine Haynes and Mel Taylor and Susan Ferguson} } @conference {bnh-6330, title = {Post-Disaster Decision Making in Road Infrastructure Recovery Projects - An Interview Study with Practitioners in Queensland}, booktitle = {Australian \& New Zealand Disaster \& Emergency Management Conference}, year = {2019}, month = {06/2019}, abstract = {

The repair and reconstruction of road infrastructure plays a vital role in the recovery process after a disaster event and will be affected by the decision-making processes adopted by asset owners. The objective of this study is to understand how road asset owners assess and prioritise road reconstruction projects in order to identify how decision making could be improved in real-life post-disaster scenarios. This paper presents results of in-depth interviews with road infrastructure practitioners in Queensland, on decision making in a post-disaster context, using a case study based approach. A number of challenges were identified including the lack of a common decision making platform, the lack of focus on the socio-ecological impacts during decision making and the importance of community engagement during the reconstruction process.

}, keywords = {Decision making, Disaster management, Natural hazards, Reconstruction, Road infrastructure}, url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333842851_Post-Disaster_Decision_Making_in_Road_Infrastructure_Recovery_Projects_-_An_Interview_Study_with_Practitioners_in_Queensland}, author = {Akvan Gajanayake and Tehmina Khan and Kevin Zhang} } @article {bnh-6395, title = {The potential role of the commonwealth in responding to catastrophic disasters}, number = {530}, year = {2019}, month = {05/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

he research question posed, and considered in this paper, is {\textquoteleft}in the absence of legislation, what is the role in, and more importantly what power might the Commonwealth have, when responding and recovering from a catastrophic disaster? Currently the Commonwealth has no overarching or specific counter-disaster legislation.\  This paper argues that even in the absence of legislation there is Commonwealth power to respond to emergencies within the areas of Commonwealth responsibility.\  Further there is an inherent power to deal with catastrophic disasters vested in the Crown as part of the prerogative power of the Crown and now incorporated into the Executive Power of the Commonwealth.\  Exactly what constitutes a {\textquoteleft}catastrophic disaster{\textquoteright} would be open to debate and, in the absence of legislation, may be the subject of judicial challenge. It is argued that a disaster where a state government is overwhelmed so that the state itself is at risk of collapse and there is no effective state government would be a national catastrophic disaster that would justify Commonwealth intervention in the affairs of the state in order to restore effective state government.\  What disaster, short of the collapse of state government, would be sufficient for direct Commonwealth action cannot be conclusively defined.\  \ 
In the absence of legislation and a truly catastrophic event, the Commonwealth{\textquoteright}s authority to exercise national leadership and coordinate Commonwealth, state and private assets will depend on good will and cooperation.\  The extent of the Commonwealth{\textquoteright}s executive power cannot be identified until the circumstances of the particular disaster have been identified.
Failing to define, in legislation, the role and power of the Commonwealth will leave the Commonwealth to {\textquoteleft}cope ugly{\textquoteright} with any particular catastrophe.\  That may be acceptable as it will leave the Commonwealth with adaptive flexibility. It has however been a consistent recommendation of commentators that the Commonwealth should legislate to ensure that the Commonwealth is able to cope with an inevitable catastrophe.\  \ 
The absence of legislation makes it impossible to define, except in the most generic terms, what the Commonwealth{\textquoteright}s powers are.

}, keywords = {Cascading Events, Collapse, Disaster management, Emergency management, Fire, hazards}, issn = {530}, author = {Michael Eburn and Cameron Moore and Andrew Gissing} } @mastersthesis {bnh-5696, title = {The roles of pharmacists in disaster health management in natural and anthropogenic disasters}, year = {2019}, month = {06/2019}, school = {Queensland University of Technology}, address = {Brisbane}, abstract = {

This study investigated pharmacists{\textquoteright} roles in disasters and identified the acceptance and expectations of pharmacists throughout the different stages of a disaster. Taking an all-hazard and inclusive approach, this research included key stakeholders from international disaster and emergency management organisations as well as pharmacy organisations. Pharmacists{\textquoteright} skills and knowledge are typically underutilised in disasters and it was identified that their abilities extend beyond the traditional role of logistics and supply management. There are multiple practice areas in a disaster in which a pharmacist{\textquoteright}s expertise could be valuable in patient care, logistics, governance, and public health.

}, keywords = {Disaster management, disasters, Logistics, Patient care, Pharmacists, Preparedness, prevention, recovery, response, Roles}, url = {https://eprints.qut.edu.au/130757/}, author = {Kaitlyn Watson} } @article {bnh-5686, title = {UNHaRMED framework report: a co-creation approach for the development and use of decision support systems for disaster risk reduction.}, number = {484}, year = {2019}, month = {07/2019}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

This report proposes a generic approach for the development and use of decision support systems (DSSs) for disaster risk reduction (DRR). At the core of the DSS is an integrated model, consisting of a land use model and risk models for four hazards, including flooding, coastal inundation, bushfire and earthquake. The inputs to these models are affected by a number of external drivers that change over time, including demographics, climate change and economics, as well as a number of mitigation options, including spatial planning, land management, structural measures and community-based resilience efforts. The outputs from the integrated model include risk maps for the individual hazards that change over time, as well as cost-benefit, social and environmental indicators used for assessing the impact of risk reduction portfolios.

}, keywords = {DDR, decision support system, Disaster management, framework, UNHaRMED}, issn = {484}, author = {Hedwig van Delden and Graeme Riddell and Roel Vanhout and Holger Maier and Jeffrey Newman and Aaron Zecchin and Graeme Dandy} } @article {bnh-2616, title = {Emergency management perspectives on volunteered geographic information: Opportunities, challenges and change}, journal = {Computers, Environment and Urban Systems}, volume = {57}, year = {2016}, month = {05/2016}, abstract = {

Volunteered geographic information (VGI) refers to the widespread creation and sharing of geographic information by private citizens, often through platforms such as online mapping tools, social media, and smartphone applications. VGI has shifted the ways information is created, shared, used and experienced, with important implications for applications of geospatial data, including emergency management. Detailed interviews with 13 emergency management professionals from eight organisations across five Australian states provided insights into the impacts of VGI on official emergency management. Perceived opportunities presented by VGI included improved communication, acquisition of diverse local information, and increased community engagement in disaster management. Identified challenges included the digital divide, data management, misinformation, and liability concerns. Significantly, VGI disrupts the traditional top-down structure of emergency management and reflects a culture shift away from authoritative control of information. To capitalise on the opportunities of VGI, agencies need to share responsibility and be willing to remain flexible in supporting positive community practises, including VGI. Given the high accountability and inherently responsive nature of decision making in disaster management, it provides a useful lens through which to examine the impacts of VGI on official authoritative systems more broadly. This analysis of the perceptions of emergency management professionals suggests changes to traditional systems that involve decentralisation of power and increased empowerment of citizens, where value is increasingly recognised in both expert and citizen-produced information, initiatives and practises.

}, keywords = {Disaster management, Emergency management, Geospatial data, VGI, Volunteered geographic information}, doi = {10.1016/j.compenvurbsys.2016.02.009}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0198971516300175}, author = {Haworth, B} } @article {BF-4303, title = {Social Connectedness and Adaptive Team Coordination During Fire Events}, journal = {Fire Safety Journal}, volume = {59}, year = {2013}, month = {07/2013}, pages = {30-36}, chapter = {30}, abstract = {Preparing for fire-related emergencies and consequence management is considered to be dynamic and challenging in managing crises, preventing losses, and in the allocation of resources. In this study, we argue that improving plans and operations of personnel involved in managing fire-related emergencies is an important area of investigation. Here, we investigate the effects of social connectedness among different team members to manage bushfires. We further analyze response coordination by exploring variables such as participants{\textquoteright} preparedness quality, quality of incident action planning, and quality of accessibility of resources. In doing so, we also test the effects of these variables on improved adaptive behavior. Our results show high positive correlation between social connectedness for team members and coordination quality and also adaptive behavior. We also found significant relationship between coordination and adaptive behavior. Applying regression analyses, the results indicate positive significant effect of social connectedness on coordination and adaptive behavior and also the effect of coordination on adaptive behavior. By exploring the proposed model, we are able to develop a better understanding of the factors that support adaptive behavior in incident management teams responding to bushfire events.}, keywords = {Coordination quality, Disaster management, Incident management team, Participants adaptive behavior, Team connectedness}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2013.03.016}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379711213000751}, author = {Alireza Abbasi and Owen, Christine and Liaquat Hossain and Jafar Hamra} }