A cross-cutting research project combining the elements of computer and information engineering, decision and information sciences and the social sciences has been designated ALERTAR. It is an integrated emergency information network that will serve to direct disaster personnel towards available resources, allowing them to communicate and assisting in monitoring emergencies as they develop. Modeled in part on the Center of Excellence¹s Pacific Disaster Information Management Network (COE/PDMIN) and with links to their CENTAUR system, Alertar will ultimately apply advanced telecommunications technology to each participating agency and nation with a mobile, autonomous, high-speed data transfer link . The network will foster information exchange and sharing among organizations tied into it. It will also be capable of operating under the harsh conditions that usually prevail in disasters. Much of the applied research currently underway is tied to testing various elements of technology that will ultimately be provided as part of the "Alertar" system

A model for best practices identification and dissemination

The basis of knowledge generation in the field of disaster research is underdeveloped in comparison with many areas of knowledge for a variety of reasons cited in this proposal. The purpose of this activity is to develop a best practices identification and dissemination model that can serve as a tool for improving the quality and effectiveness of best practices research. The model will utilize Delphi, case study, and meta-analysis techniques. Hurricanes Mitch/George will serve as the example for which a CDROM will be developed as one of the CDMHA’s products. 
A second aspect of this research will focus on improving field data capture for the empirical assessment of best practices. A field capture tool kit will be developed, and a field protocol developed to collect problem and program data for the identification of best practices. 

Responsible Personnel:  Nancy Mock (lead), Alex Coles

Research programs, policies and procedures in both the public and private sectors which address repetitive disaster losses 

Once a human settlement has been affected by a disaster, feedback mechanisms should come into action to either mitigate the effects of the hazard (building codes) or cause avoidance altogether (relocation). These feedback mechanisms can exist in either or both the public or private sectors. An example of this can be seen in the NFIP in the United States. This study would look at the existence of such mechanisms in the target 35 nations and explore the establishment or improvement of such mechanisms.

Responsible Personnel:  Oliver Davidson and Nick Colmenares

The role of the private sector in disaster response

This activity will first conduct research and then facilitate the effective mobilization of the private commercial sector in disaster response, recovery, mitigation and preparedness. Initial research will document the scope of private sector involvement, the impact of disasters on the private sectors and the receptiveness of companies to involvement in this problem area. Subsequently, a steering committee of senior executives will be recruited as a first step in disseminating research results, advocacy, and initiation of a public-private sector dialogue to enhance effective participation of the private sector..

Responsible Personnel: Oliver Davidson

Social science research, comparative case study research on lessons learned from response and mitigation efforts related to Hurricanes George/Mitch

The hurricane season of 1998 was particularly devastating, resulting in a wake-up call to the vulnerabilities of the LAC region to hurricanes. The range of countries affected, interventions implemented and actors involved in response and mitigation efforts resulted in dramatic variability in the impacts and cost effectiveness of interventions. There have been a variety of lessons learned exercises undertaken by different agencies involved in managing these disasters. However, a systematic and comparative analysis of the effects and cost-effectiveness of interventions has not been done. This research will develop a conceptual framework for comparative case study research on the impacts/cost effectiveness of interventions and will apply this methodology to the particular cases of countries affected by Georges/Mitch. Results of these findings will be targeted directly towards improved military doctrine.

Responsible Personnel: Jeanine Coreil

Assessment of Helminth Infections in Military and Civilian Relief Workers Involved in Humanitarian Assistance Efforts

The purpose of this project is to study military and civilian relief personnel sent on overseas peace keeping and humanitarian assistance efforts in order to determine the severity of helminth, or worm, burdens, as well as to make recommendations such as the use of broad spectrum antihelminthics and health education to prevent acquiring these infections in the future. As reported in a recent meeting organized by US Southern Command on "Emerging Infections: Challenges for the 21st Century", the increasing shift of worldwide military operations to low intensity peace keeping missions, as well as humanitarian assistance efforts, has resulted in the transnational crossover of emerging infectious diseases. Additionally, civilian organizations (such as non-governmental, international and private volunteer organizations) are also becoming increasingly involved in all aspects of disaster management and humanitarian relief. Like their military counterparts, workers from these organizations may also have an increase potential to introduce novel pathogens as well as acquire a number of foreign infections. Whereas there has been emphasis in research on diseases such as malaria, dengue and influenza, the burden of helminth infections in the wake of natural disasters have been largely neglected. The goals of this research will then be to (1) establish the baseline profiles and prevalence rates of helminth infections in the most typical countries of the Caribbean, Central and South America, (2) assess initial and acquired helminth infections of relief workers through the systematic pre- and post-screening of military and civilian personnel assisting in relief missions and (3) determine the benefits of preventive measures in the protection against helminth infections.

Responsible Personnel: Dr. Kwa (lead), Ann di Baldo

Health status after disasters is not simply related to the physical dimensions of hazards, but also influenced by socioeconomic characteristics, age, race, ethnicity, and even rural-urban differences. Furthermore, there exists an extensive scientific literature focusing directly on hazards and health that comes from a variety of disciplinary approaches. However, little attention has focused on how these models can be applied cross-culturally, and in particular to countries in the Caribbean and Latin America. Equally problematic is the lack of clear understanding of the precise roles played by women in determining the health of household members. The purpose of this research is to apply knowledge gained from the extant exploratory models developed in non Caribbean and Latin American countries, and adapt them to a study of gender roles and health in mitigation of post-disaster environments. This will be accomplished by (1) reviewing the literature in order to refine various models pertaining to health and hazards, (2) interviewing public health decision-makers in the countries of Ecuador and the Dominican Republic in order to document their understanding of disaster mitigation, the local laws and programs related to disaster mitigation, and to understand their perspective on the role of women and how the health system operates in the community, (3) the development and use of a survey questionnaire to determine the prevailing and changing health conditions of hazard prone residents, which will entail the personal interview and observation of over 200 women and men who have personal experience of disaster. The goal will then be to develop a model of health and the role of women in hazardous environments. 

Responsible Personnel: Dr. Linda Whiteford (lead), Dr. Graham Tobin

A comprehensive GIS-based project to map and analyze the vulnerability status and disaster potential of high-risk population in Central America and The Caribbean

A region-wide GIS-based applied research project to map and analyze spatial vulnerability and the potential for disaster in high-risk areas of Central America and The Caribbean, with Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic serving as countries where pilot projects will be implemented. This project will enhance national and regional emergency preparedness and response plans

Responsible Personnel: Alex Coles , W. Bertrand

Continuation of epidemic forecasting research

During year 1, ONR funded a sub-study on epidemic forecasting, using environmental, epidemiological, socioeconomic and climatic data. The first phase of funding involves review/synthesis of the literature as well as developing predictive models for a limited number of diseases and countries. Year 2 funding will extend this research to a larger subset of diseases and broader geographic coverage. Year 2 will also result in the transition of epidemic forecasting to early warning systems in a subset of LAC countries, through workshops, training and specific country projects to enhance early warning and response planning.

Responsible Personnel: Nancy Mock

A Comparative Study of Trauma Survivors: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, South Florida

The intent of this project is to determine the readjustment experiences of survivors of natural or human-induced disasters. The research will be conducted in three venues: Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and South Florida. The goal is to interview 1000 individuals in each venue who have lost their home, other physical property, and/or a loved one through a natural or human-induced disaster. Trained personnel using a standardized interview protocol, standardized research and data entry protocols, and established communications and information systems will conduct the interviews. The end product will be a survivor-informed information base regarding readjustment experiences following a traumatic even. The research will include a determination of the nature of the disastrous event for each participant, the ascertainment of a pre-event coping history and the administration of a post-event inventory to determine the current level of coping. Evaluation of collected data as well as technical assistance in the outcome evaluations will be provided by a consultant specialized in Educational Measurements and Research. It is anticipated that this research will lead to a better understanding of the human response to disasters and to a more efficient allocation of resources following such an event.

Responsible Personnel: Dr. Michael Rank (lead), Linda Rodriguez, Aurora Sanchez

Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation of an International “Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management” Educational Curriculum via Distance Learning Technology

Currently there are no programs offered that will train an individual from an undergraduate to a graduate degree in emergency preparedness and disaster management, and are culturally appropriate for Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. By building upon research, the intent of this project will be to study an epidemiologically defined sample of students to accomplish the following aims: (1) assess existing emergency preparedness and disaster management educational programs available to the Americas, (2) plan a comprehensive program that will build on existing programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as on those from George Washington University, the University of Missouri, the University of South Florida, Tulane University, the University of the Andes, the University of Puerto Rico and Florida International University, (3) implement programs using distance learning technology (web-based, cd-rom, satellite) and (4) to evaluate and develop a report on the program to assure that it is meeting the goals and objectives of the course content for the target audience. The goals of this proposal will be met by the collaborative partnership of the universities noted above, each acting as a consultant on specific objectives. Courses currently being taught will be reviewed and rewritten to be cultural and language appropriate for Latin America and the Caribbean Basin. 

Responsible Personnel: Wayne Westhoff (lead), Jeanine Coreil, George Buck

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Personality Inventory and Performance Rating

Over the past 50 years, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality inventory has become one of the most widely used assessment instruments in leadership and management development programs, team-building, communications training, and career enhancement programs as well as other organizational development training. The MBTI personality assessment inventory was designed in order to assess how respondents ranked on the Jungian (Carl Jung) psychological profile scale. The MBTI has also been used for both personal and counseling purposes throughout the United States and around the world. The military and the chaplain corps are currently using the MBTI extensively in their training and education of the military officers as well as enlisted personnel (Macdaid et al, 1991). Furthermore, results from a study conducted on veterans from the Veterans Administration indicate that there is a significant relationship between the MBTI type and psychological well-being (Otis and Louks, 1997; Myers et al 1999). Based upon an expressed concern about the psychological well being of 500 Marines who are being sent home from their peacekeeping mission service in Haiti the CDMHA has initiated an exploratory research project which examines the potential to further explore the applicability of MBTI in Marine training and after-service assistance. Thus, this research is designed to explore the relationship between the MBTI, performance, and general well-being among those who served in Haiti. Two instruments will be administered with this survey, the self-reporting performance survey and the MBTI. The self-reporting performance survey elicits information on individual demographic characteristics, self-reporting performance rating, and psychological general well-being. The MBTI will assist in identifying individual personality (learning style) types. This survey will be administered only on a voluntary basis. All participants will be assured of confidentiality and requested to complete an informed consent  form.

Responsible Personnel - Dr. W. Bertrand, Ms. P. Pham, Ms. J. Frick

Completion of Information and Training Needs Assessment 

The core question is what data is needed to manage and allocate resources in a disaster situation. General Wilhelm commented during an advisory board meeting that if "Mitch" were to happen again he was concerned that the same mistakes would be made. CDMHA and USSOUTHCOM specialists will continue to undertake specialized research into what data is actually utilized at the moment of a disaster and how it is utilized in actual real time disaster situations. The purpose is to empirically assess the information-decision loop in an effort to improve decisions and to identify what knowledge, skills, and resultant competencies are needed among field staff to improve the efficacy and efficiency of disaster response. The assessment will expand to include cooperating and collaborating entities in the USSOUTHCOM AOR, such as other military groups and civil society organizations as are judged relevant. Results of the assessment will be incorporated into a data base for the design of decision analysis tools and targeted performance support training packges that will make up the Alertar system. Once a systematic assessment of information and training needs is completed, , an evaluation of gaps comparing existing information/training tools with needs will serve as the basis for the design of ALERTAR. This applied research activity is unique in the field of disaster research and will help to rationalize the application of information technologies and training to disaster management.. To do that ,we will review information on past disaster management experiences as the basis for identifying best practices and developing tools for decision support and just-in-time learning. Throughout the hemisphere, a great deal of information has been gathered and filed, by PAHO, OFDA, International Red Cross, CARE, CARITAS, the UN Development Program, and myriad other actors. PAHO's disaster relief executives have recently undertaken a compilation of all their materials-studies, training units, plans, after-action reports, collaborative efforts, and so forth-in CD-ROM format. This initiative consists of two parts: In part one the data compilation effort will be extended to include other principal players in the disaster scenario, such as local NGOs, churches, government, and utilities, so that a comprehensive, coordinated, systematic approach can be developed for the management of disasters. Part two of this initiative will be directed toward an analysis of the principal tools and methods used today in responding to these events and an inventory of technologies, skills, and competencies judged useful and effective in the field. This data-driven and field-validated set of performance criteria will then serve as the basis for developing systems of technology, training, and support to augment decision-making in the field for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. 

The methodology to be applied for the completion of the needs assessment is as follows: step one focuses on critical information needs and will be completed by an "elite study" of senior executives who are making major resource allocations in recent disaster settings. This element of the study focuses on decision analysis. This aspect of the study will identify critical decisions in disaster response, key information desired by decision-makers to reach these decisions, what information was actually used, and the criteria driving final decisions.

Part two of the study will focus on a systematic assessment of competencies required for effective disaster response among the key players in disaster relief. These will be assessed for the various elements of the disaster response system including the US military and other USG agencies, international private voluntary organizations, local public and private sector agencies, and communities. The aspect of the study will include a desk review of the grey literature as well as interviews with training staff, program officers, and recently engaged field staff. 

Responsible Personnel: William E. Bertrand (lead), Alfredo Ocampo, Maria Trujillo, Melinda Hofstetter

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