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The Role of Colleges and Universities in Disaster Reduction

The Role of Colleges and Universities in Disaster Reduction. Kocaeli ’99 Emergency Management Conference Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul Turkey 16-17 January 2003 B.Wayne Blanchard, Ph.D., CEM Emergency Management Higher Education Project Manager Federal Emergency Management Agency

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The Role of Colleges and Universities in Disaster Reduction

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  1. The Role of Colleges and Universities in Disaster Reduction Kocaeli ’99 Emergency Management Conference Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul Turkey 16-17 January 2003 B.Wayne Blanchard, Ph.D., CEM Emergency Management Higher Education Project Manager Federal Emergency Management Agency National Emergency Training Center, Emergency Management Institute Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727 wayne.blanchard@fema.gov http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/edu

  2. Disasters And The U.S. • Large and Growing Range of Hazards • Disaster Losses Are Enormous • Significantly Escalating Last Four Decades • Projected to Become Worse • U.S. Becoming More Vulnerable • No Light At The End Of The Tunnel

  3. “The Time Has Come For A New National Approach To Natural Hazards” (Congressional Natural Hazards Caucus, Jan 2001)

  4. Implications • Hazards Produce Disaster Experience • Disaster Experience = Lessons Learned • Lessons Learned = Prescriptions • We Basically Know What To Do • Losses Nonetheless Escalating • Current Hazard Approaches Inadequate • Need Redesigned Approach

  5. Framework ForRole of Colleges and Universities In Disaster Reduction • Generate New Knowledge • Transfer Knowledge • Advocacy • Community Service • Setting Positive Example

  6. Generate Knowledge • Conduct Research • Organize and Systematize Knowledge • Provide Critique, Evaluation, Analysis • Reach Out to Broad Range of Disciplines, i.e., Break Out of Disciplinary Straightjackets • Redefine Scholarship to Include Both Basic and Applied Research and Professional Service

  7. Conduct Research • Hazard/Disaster Technology • Risk Assessment • Risk Management • Cost-Effective Mitigation Measures • Communication of Disaster Risk • Hazards Public Policy Implementation

  8. Transfer Knowledge(Audiences) • Emergency/Disaster Managers • Hazard/Disaster Communities • Key Professions and Disciplines • Policy and Decision-Makers • The Public • K-12 • College Students (Grad and Undergrad)

  9. Emergency Management College Programs by Year UC-Berk------ Project Begins-------- RIT------- UNT------- TESC------- Wisc-------

  10. EM Degree Programs 2003 • 83 College Emergency Mgmt. Programs • 35 Certificates, Minors or Diplomas • 11 Associate Degrees • 8 Bachelor Degrees • 22 Masters Programs • 7 Doctoral-Level Programs

  11. Projected Collegiate Program Growth • ~100 Programs Under Investigation • 36 at Associate Degree Level • 38 at Bachelor Level • 22 at Graduate Level

  12. Transfer Knowledge (Tools) • Educational Courses and Programs • Training • Workshops • Conferences • Presentations • Consulting • Publications (Other Than Academic/Technical) • Internet • I.e., Become a Hazards Knowledge Hub – Venue for Reliable and Accessible Scientific Information

  13. Advocacy • Leader in Disaster Prevention Culture • Foster Change -- Create Infrastructure/Culture Necessary for Engagement • Develop Courses that Promote Engagement • Lend Credibility to Hazard Reduction Measures • Bring Practitioners and Researchers Together • Find Effective Ways to Phrase the Message • New Ways to Reach Policy/Decision Makers • Cultivate “Savvy” Media

  14. Community Service • Be Proactive Local, Regional, National, International Citizen • Partner and Network with Stakeholders • Engage With Local Community • Plan, Train and Exercise Together • Citizen Emergency Response Teams • Create Student Service Learning Opportunities • Develop Systems of Accountability for Engagement Activities

  15. Set Positive Example • Walk The Talk – Do What Is Advocated • Coordinate, Partner, Collaborate, Network, Share • Become a Disaster Resistant University • Conduct University Risk Assessment • Develop Hazards Risk Management Program • Network, Coordinate and Communicate • Disaster Resistant New Construction • Retrofit of Existing Structures • Soft (Non-Structural) Mitigation

  16. Results? • Enhanced Understanding of Hazards and Relationship to Political, Social, Cultural, Economic Environments • Enhanced Disaster Response and Management • Recognition that Disaster Reduction is Feasible • Enhanced Ability to Communicate Risk Effectively • Enhanced Commitment to Disaster Reduction • Reinforced Political Will • Disaster Reduction Integrated and Mainstreamed • Movement from Reactive Response to Proactive Prevention • Creation of Culture of Disaster Prevention

  17. Education is Key • “…although knowledge does not guarantee power over natural catastrophe, it is a prime requisite of disaster prevention.” (Alexander 2000, 249) • “Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.” (H.G. Wells)

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