A weekly round-up of news, articles and surveys to make your next emergency better. Have a suggestion for the round-up? Contact me at abetteremergency@gmail.com.

New on the Disaster Front

This article on a connected network of cycleways is a great concept. Of course it takes money to build and I’m not sure that finding money at the expense of those whose property has been essentially condemned is the way to gain much support for anything. On top of the current issues they are dealing with, Warning for Kiwis, points out how the next event could be much worse.

A disturbing fact in disasters is the additional challenges it puts on women and children. Whereas state award for disaster research seems like a good start and encourages more research into answers. Raising disaster risk reduction awareness at an early age does not specifically look at gender or family violence, but perhaps a better understanding of what disaster may bring will lesson stress.

I am a strong proponent for pre-planning. It’s vital that impacted populations return to normalcy as quickly as possible else be faced with conditions like this: Families in Fukushima Prefecture still apart after nuclear disaster. It’s not hard to imagine an increase in domestic violence due to living in extremity. To emphasize how long “recovery” can be, read how people can seek compensation for 10 years after a nuclear disaster or how Spitak earthquake victims are still waiting for help 25 years on. These articles emphasize how those least able to cope with disasters seem to suffer most.

How about linking up disaster planning specialists from developed nations to help those in developing countries? Disaster dice loaded against poorest countries and Haiyan shows cities need better disaster planning. For example, the City of Vancouver’s newly released earthquake plan is undoubtedly full of common problems and issues that could be transferable to less developed countries. West coast cities may need to reassess threats after taking into account the causes of the Fukushima tsunami and how the 2011 Japan tsunami could happen again. Similar soil and ground conditions exist on our west coast which could magnify the current projected earthquake and tsunami. Definitely not good news but something we better factor into our plans.

There are some good observations and suggestions by the author of Perfecting our response to disasters; Late treatment for many PH typhoon victims – WHO backs him up on the topic.

I found this to be an interesting concept and am curious what you think about it, City buys disaster insurance for residents.

Support for emergency management agencies to have Community Managers is growing. Read lessons learned for facing the public in disaster. I have a few thoughts on the subject, as well.

This is still in the development stage, but shows promise: All-seeing eye: the throwable camera that could save victims’ lives.

New on the Medical Front

‘Substantial’ Medicare savings from avoiding ERs; new ways for primary care; trends in kids’ fast food consumption is a nice compilation of short articles that are both timely and informative.

Options for EMS transport to somewhere other than a hospital emergency department need to happen. Several articles support the idea including Affordable Care Act changing how local EMS units provide services and Options for EMS Could Save Medicare $$.

News on the what were they thinking front?

The student party that featured free alcohol, jelly wrestling and a homemade FLAMETHROWER. What could possibly go wrong? A must read.