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Item Digging through disaster rubble in search of the determinants of organizational mitigation and preparedness(DOI: 10.2202/1944-4079.1005, 2010-07) Sadiq, Abdul-AkeemDisaster researchers have established the determinants of mitigation and preparedness at the household level of analysis. However, at the organizational level, there is limited research and no theory to guide research on the determinants of mitigation and preparedness. The research question is “what are the determinants of mitigation and preparedness at the organizational level?” The data come from a survey of 227 organizations in Memphis, Tennessee. This study uses Tobit regression technique to identify the determinants and finds that organizational size and concern over disaster impact are strong positive determinants of mitigation and preparedness in organizations. In addition, there is a significant and nonlinear relationship between organizational obstacle and mitigation and preparedness activities. This study concludes with policy implications and recommendations for future studies.Item Emergency preparedness is a healthcare issue: COVID-19 pandemic's influence on attitudes and behaviors among a national sample of parents(Elsevier, 2023) Glauberman, Gary; Zimet, Gregory; Michel, Alexandra; Fontenot, Holly B.; Pediatrics, School of MedicineBackground: Improving household emergency preparedness (EP) is a public health priority, yet little is known about what influence the COVID-19 pandemic had on families' EP. This study aimed to explore current EP attitudes and behaviors. Methods: We conducted online focus groups in Winter 2022 with a nationwide sample of parents of adolescents. We held six 90-min focus groups of 9-15 participants using a semi-structured interview script that elicited parental knowledge and attitudes related to household EP. Two researchers conducted qualitative content analysis on focus group transcripts. First-level coding within and across scripts was used to identify broad categories or themes regarding EP. The process was reviewed continuously to verify data and coding procedures. Three investigators independently verified the final themes that emerged. Results: Participants (N = 64) were mostly female (n = 54, 84.3%), white (n = 46, 71.9%), and college-educated (n = 49, 76.6%). Major themes included: 1) Expanded awareness and behavioral change related to EP due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2) Reconceptualization of planning for family health as part of EP, 3) Changing perspectives related to vaccination as a component of EP, and 4) Perspectives related to discussing EP with their health care provider. Conclusions: EP was described as a healthcare issue and healthcare providers were identified as trusted sources of EP information. Interventions to support providers' ability to assist with individual EP health action plans, including discussing vaccination as part of preparedness are needed.Item FEMA versus local governments: Influence and reliance in disaster preparedness(Springer, 2016) Sadiq, Abdul-Akeem; Tharp, Kevin; Graham, John D.; School of Public and Environmental Affairs, IUPUIThis study uses an experimental approach to examine whether disaster information sourced to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) influences intentions to adopt hazard adjustments. Survey questions are also used to determine whether individuals rely more on FEMA or local governments when preparing for disasters. Using an online sample of 2008 US employees, the results indicate that information sourced to FEMA is no more influential than information sourced to local governments and that individuals rely less on FEMA than on local agencies during disaster preparedness. These results have significant implications for practice and future research on natural hazard preparedness.Item Fukushima after the Great East Japan Earthquake: lessons for developing responsive and resilient health systems(Edinburgh University Global Health Society, 2017-06) Fukuma, Shingo; Ahmed, Shahira; Goto, Rei; Inui, Thomas S.; Atun, Rifat; Fukuhara, Shunichi; Medicine, School of MedicineBACKGROUND: On 11 March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake, followed by a tsunami and nuclear-reactor meltdowns, produced one of the most severe disasters in the history of Japan. The adverse impact of this 'triple disaster' on the health of local populations and the health system was substantial. In this study we examine population-level health indicator changes that accompanied the disaster, and discuss options for re-designing Fukushima's health system, and by extension that of Japan, to enhance its responsiveness and resilience to current and future shocks. METHODS: We used country-level (Japan-average) or prefecture-level data (2005-2014) available from the portal site of Official Statistics of Japan for Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate, the prefectures that were most affected by the disaster, to compare trends before (2005-2010) and after (2011-2014) the 'disaster'. We made time-trend line plots to describe changes over time in age-adjusted cause-specific mortality rates in each prefecture. FINDINGS: All three prefectures, and in particular Fukushima, had lower socio-economic indicators, an older population, lower productivity and gross domestic product per capita, and less higher-level industry than the Japan average. All three prefectures were 'medically underserved', with fewer physicians, nurses, ambulance calls and clinics per 100 000 residents than the Japan average. Even before the disaster, age-adjusted all-cause mortality in Fukushima was in general higher than the national rates. After the triple disaster we found that the mortality rate due to myocardial infarction increased substantially in Fukushima while it decreased nationwide. Compared to Japan average, spikes in mortality due to lung disease (all three prefectures), stroke (Iwate and Miyagi), and all-cause mortality (Miyagi and Fukushima) were also observed post-disaster. The cause-specific mortality rate from cancer followed similar trends in all three prefectures to those in Japan as a whole. Although we found a sharp rise in ambulance calls in Iwate and Miyagi, we did not see such a rise in Fukushima: a finding which may indicate limited responsiveness to acute demand because of pre-existing restricted capacity in emergency ambulance services. CONCLUSIONS: We analyze changes in indicators of health and health systems infrastructure in Fukushima before and five years following the disaster, and explored health systems' strengths and vulnerabilities. Spikes in mortality rates for selected non-infectious conditions common among older individuals were observed compared to the national trends. The results suggest that poorer reserves in the health care delivery system in Fukushima limited its capacity to effectively meet sudden unexpected increases in demand generated by the disaster.Item Haiti’s Emergency Management: A Case of Regional Support, Challenges, Opportunities, and Recommendations for the Future(FEMA, U.S. Department of Homeland Security: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/CompEmMgmtBookProject.asp, 2012) Fordyce, Erin; Sadiq, Abdul-Akeem; Chikoto, Grace L.As one of the poorest nations in the Western Hemisphere (with over 70 percent of the population living on less than $2 a day) (Grunewald et al. 2010), one wonders about the state of the Haitian Emergency Management System prior to the 2010 earthquake. Clearly, Haiti has been an economically-challenged nation for decades and its protracted poverty level further increases its vulnerability to disasters (PAHO 1994) and impacts its ability to respond and recover effectively when disasters occur. In addition, political instabilities have led to poor economic development opportunities and increased risks. In spite of Haiti’s economic and political challenges, it is possible to gain insight into what the country’s emergency management system looked like before the 2010 earthquake. Haiti had a fledgling national emergency management system in place - one that was heavily supported by both regional and international bodies. The earthquake of January 12, 2010, however, underscores the need for a better disaster reduction and response program, one that would address the underlying and protracted vulnerabilities of Haiti, while ushering in new winds of change that would pump fresh blood into the veins of the emergency management system. This chapter reviews the history of Haiti, including its demography and geography, and examines the hazards and factors contributing to the nation’s vulnerability to disasters. Furthermore, this chapter discusses some past disasters, Haiti’s emergency management system as well as the opportunities and the challenges confronting the system. We conclude by offering some recommendations for improving Haiti’s abilities to deal with disasters.Item A Look at Nigeria’s Bourgeoning Emergency Management System: Challenges, Opportunities, and Recommendations for Improvement(FEMA, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 2012. Available from: http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/CompEmMgmtBookProject.asp, 2012) Sadiq, Abdul-AkeemEmergency management in Nigeria, a country once known as the Giant of Africa, is in its infancy. Although organized responses to disasters date back to the early 1900s when the Fire Brigade was in charge of putting out fires, protecting properties, and helping communities respond to disasters, a comprehensive approach to emergency management only began in 1999. However, since then, Nigeria’s emergency management system has undergone tremendous changes. These include better organizational structure, more funding, curriculum development in emergency management education programs, increased training of emergency personnel, and more collaboration with other countries on emergency management issues. Nevertheless, this bourgeoning disaster management system still has a long way to go and faces innumerable challenges, including poverty, lack of funding for emergency management programs, and marginalization, among many others. This chapter examines the history of Nigeria, including its demography and geography, and takes a look at the factors contributing to vulnerability to disasters and hazards in Nigeria. In addition, this chapter discusses some past disasters as well as the opportunities and the challenges facing Nigeria’s emergency management system. This chapter concludes with recommendations for improving Nigeria’s emergency management system.Item Obstacles and disaster risk reduction: Survey of Memphis organizations(http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)NH.1527-6996.0000016, 2010-08) Sadiq, Abdul-Akeem; Weible, Christopher M.The disaster management literature is replete with surveys at the community and household levels. However, few exist at the organizational level. This study attempts to fill this void by examining the effect of organizational obstacles on disaster risk reduction. The data come from a survey of 227 organizations in Memphis, Tennessee. This study investigates three obstacles to disaster risk reduction: lack of organizational support, lack of information, and lack of financial resources. The findings show that organizations are more likely to engage in low-effort activities indirectly related to risk reduction and are less likely to engage in high-effort activities directly related to risk reduction. The most important obstacle is lack of information about the frequency of disasters, magnitude of disasters, or organizational benefits of reducing disaster risks. Lack of financial resources and lack of organizational support are sometimes positively associated with risk-reducing activities, suggesting that, when organizations engage in risk-reducing activities, some obstacles become more apparent. The study concludes with implications, limitations, and future research strategies.Item Organizational Risk Perception of Disasters: Do Risk Managers Matter?(Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, 2014-03-20) Sadiq, Abdul-Akeem; Graham, John D.Previous research on risk perception suggests that individual neglect of disasters is likely due to an inability to process information about low-probability, high-consequence threats and moral hazard. As a result, it is important to study the quality of organizational responses to disasters, since they may be crucial to compensating for the frailty of individual choice. Preliminary evidence suggests that an organizational risk manager is important in disaster planning, but there is no empirical evidence (to our knowledge) that having a designated risk manager leads to the adoption of risk-reducing measures in organizations. Additionally, there is limited research on the relationship between risk perception and the adoption of risk-reducing measures at the organizational level. The goal of this study is to empirically answer two questions. (1) “Does having a risk manager in an organization predict the adoption of risk-reducing measures?” (2) “What is the relationship between risk perception and the adoption of risk-reducing measures at the organizational level?” Using data collected from a sample of public, private, and non-profit organizations in the Memphis/Shelby County area, Tennessee in 2006, we find that organizations with risk managers adopted more risk-reducing measures than organizations without risk managers and that risk perception is a significant predictor of risk-reducing measures. This study builds on a small, but growing literature on how organizations perceive risks and respond to them.Item Plastic Surgery Innovation through War, Disaster, and Pandemic(Wolters Kluwer, 2022) Clodfelter, Kayla L.; Mailey, Brian; Hassanein, Aladdin H.; Surgery, School of MedicineItem Zimbabwe’s Emergency Management System: A Promising Development(FEMA, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/edu/CompEmMgmtBookProject.asp, 2012) Chikoto, Grace L.; Sadiq, Abdul-AkeemZimbabwe’s encounter with droughts, in particular, combined with economic and political challenges, has denigrated the country’s former status as the “breadbasket of Southern Africa” (Hunter-Gault 2006; Maphosa 1994; Swarns 2002). Zimbabwe is particularly prone to a number of natural and man-made hazards such as droughts, floods, veld fires, storms (PreventionWeb 2012), and HIV/AIDS (United Nations Development Programme 2010) among other epidemics. Between 1980 and 2010, PreventionWeb (2012) documented 35 natural disaster events, which resulted in 6,448 deaths, averaging 208 deaths from disasters annually. Of the 35 natural disasters, 6 were drought occurrences, 7 were floods, 2 were storms, and 20 were epidemic occurrences. Chikoto (2004) 1 also counted the number of public transportation disasters that plagued Zimbabwe between 1982 and 2003, which claimed over 700 lives and injured over 400 people. To mitigate and prepare for these and other hazards facing Zimbabwe, the Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) created the Department of Civil Protection and charged it with the onus of coordinating and managing disasters and reducing hazards. This chapter traces the history of Zimbabwe’s emergency management system, with a focus on the factors contributing to the nation’s vulnerability to disasters and hazards. In addition to tracing the impact of past disasters, the chapter also discusses some of the opportunities and challenges confronting the country’s emergency management system. The chapter concludes with recommendations for improving this system.