Natural Hazard Observer Nov 2005

• Year: 2005
• Title: Natural Hazards Observer
• Author: Natural Hazards Center University of Colorado at Boulder
• Description: November 2005
• Publications - Doc Type: Other

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USAID Announces Launch of Indian Ocean
Tsunami Warning System Program
In August, the U.S. Agency for International Devel-
opment (USAID) announced the launch of the U.S. gov-
ernment's Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System
(IOTWS) program in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean
tsunami. This two -year, $16.6 million effort will contrib-
ute to the development of integrated early warning and
mitigation systems that allow countries in the Indian
Ocean region to detect and prepare for tsunamis and re-
lated coastal hazards.
The program involves a number of key U.S. agen-
cies, each contributing specialized expertise in tsunami
warning and disaster management. USAID's Regional
Development Mission for Asia in Bangkok, Thailand, will
lead the U.S. effort, with technical support from the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S.
Geological Survey, U.S. Trade and Development Agency,
and U.S. Forest Service. USAID also recently contracted
with a joint venture between the International Resources
Group (IRG) and Tetra Tech, Inc. to provide overall sup-
port to the U.S. program as its "lead program integrator"
contractor. IRG -Tetra Tech's principal subcontractor, the
Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, will contribute addi-
tional on- the - ground technical resources.
The U.S. program involves close collaboration with
the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)
of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cul-
tural Organization. The IOC has the lead responsibility
for developing the Indian Ocean's regional warning capa-
bilities. Working with the international community, the
U.S. program will provide technical assistance using an
end -to -end approach that addresses all levels of early
warning capabilities from community-level disaster readi-
ness to national and regional -level tsunami and earthquake
detection and warning communications systems. The U.S.
approach also promotes multihazard solutions that
strengthen capabilities in the Indian Ocean to respond not
only to tsunamis, but to other serious coastal hazards,
such as cyclones, sea swells, and floods, as well as earth-
quakes. Until a regional system can operate autono-
mously, the U.S. program will provide interim support
for detecting earthquakes and possible tsunami conditions
in the Indian Ocean through the Pacific Tsunami Warning
Center in Hawaii and the National Earthquake Information
Center in Colorado.
For more information, read the press release at
http:llwww.usaid.gov/Press/releases/2OO5/PrO5O8l7html
or contact Tim Beans at the USAID Regional Development
Mission /Asia at [phone].
EPA Emergency Consequence
Assessment Tool
The Environmental Protection Agency's National
Homeland Security Research Center Threat and Conse-
quence Assessment Division is developing an Emergency
Consequence Assessment Tool (SCAT) to enhance the
ability of risk managers to respond to p otential terrorist
attacks more quickly and efficiently. ECAT functions as a
"defensive playbook" that allows risk managers to prepare
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for emergency responses using information developed
from a series of priority threat scenarios. It combines the
decision - making processes of the emergency response
paradigm and the risk assessment paradigm into a tool that
provides for rapid communication and informed risk man-
agement of chemical and biological warfare agents.
The capabilities of ECAT include quantification of
chemical hazards and biological risks; support to emer-
gency responders by providing health -based information
and recommendations for personal protective equipment
(PPE), standard operating procedures, site controls, and
decontamination procedures; and support to risk managers
by providing target cleanup levels and techniques for
clearance sampling, remediation, and restoration. ECAT
also provides computer links to decontamination methods,
risk mitigation methods, and information related to toxic
agents, site controls, and PPE.
Targeted ECAT users include emergency planners
and trainers, emergency responders, risk assessors, and
on -site coordinators. For more information, visit http : //
www.epa.gov /nhsrc/ or contact Kevin Garrahan at (202)
546- 3336,• e- mail: garrahan.kevin @epa.gov.
DHS Inspector General Initiates Special
Office for Hurricane Katrina Oversight
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
inspector general has announced the establishment of an
Office for Hurricane Katrina Oversight. The office will
focus on preventing problems through a proactive pro-
gram of internal control reviews and contract audits to
ensure disaster assistance funds are being spent wisely.
Matthew Jadacki has been tasked with leading the ef-
fort on a detail assignment from the National Weather
Service. Prior to joining the National Weather Service,
Jadacki was the acting chief financial officer for the Fed-
eral Emergency Management Agency, responsible for
managing all financial management and budget activities,
including overseeing the agency's $12 billion budget.
More details are available on the Office for Hurricane
Katrina Oversight Web site at http : / /www.dhs.gov /d`hspub
lic/interapp /editorial /Copy_(2)_of editorial 0602.xml.
Natural Hazards Observer November 2005