81. WPI Fire Protection Engineering: News Cultural Tolerance for Fire disasters. Comments presented to the Special It is curious how outraged we are after a fire disaster but how tolerant we are http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/Fire/News/nfpatestimony.html

Cultural Tolerance for Fire Disasters Comments presented to the Special Meeting of the NFPA Technical Committee on Assembly Occupancies at the World Trade Center Boston by David A. Lucht, P.E. Professor and Director Center for Firesafety Studies Worcester Polytechnic Institute March 13, 2003 It is curious how outraged we are after a fire disaster but how tolerant we are of buildings that are disasters waiting to happen. Experts will not be surprised if there are few new lessons to be learned from the Rhode Island nightclub incident that killed nearly 100 on February 20, 2003. The sad fact is that many have not learned the old lessons that have been repeated time and time again dating back at least as far as the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire in Boston. People continue to die needlessly. This is not rocket science. We know how to build and operate buildings that are not programmed for disaster. The Station nightclub clearly had all the elements needed for catastrophe to happen. It was just waiting for the needed source of heat to set the event into motion. The tragedy is that so many innocent people entered this facility with no knowledge whatsoever that the space they occupied could turn into a deadly, blazing inferno in two or three minutes. Why do we tolerate buildings like this in the first place? The American culture is soft on unsafe buildings and structural safety law enforcement. For comparison, look at how we deal with traffic safety enforcement. Most people know that if they are caught speeding they will be pulled over and held accountable for their unsafe behavior. The driver will have a sick feeling in the pit of the stomach when the blue police cruiser lights are spotted flashing in the rear view mirror. The police officer will likely issue a summons, which will accompany a fine and possible court appearance. And the next time it happens, the same accountability will apply, often at a more stringent level if the driver is a repeat offender. And, if the offender is found to be driving while under the influence of alcohol, the penalty will be far more severe. Our culture has shifted over the last few decades and become more intolerant of drunk drivers thanks to grass roots organizations like MADD.

82. Risk Analyses And Risk Inventories In several fire disasters more than half of those who have died have done so Examples of fire disasters that have occurred during recent years are the http://www.hope.be/07publi/leaflet/disaster/03-analy.htm

Risk analyses and risk inventories Potential risks and threats Potential risks and threats vary continuously. New risks arise in the form of ionised radiation, emissions of chemical and biological poisons, threats of sabotage and terrorism. Major sports and music events with related risks are also increasingly common and make new demands on the preparedness of the medical services to meet emergencies. At the same time it is difficult to assess the risks and consequences of serious disruptions in Western society due to the growing dependence on technology. This was particularly apparent prior to the new millennium. The predominant risks for emergencies in Europe are associated with accidents in communications (ferries, trains, and aircraft), fires, chemical accidents and accidents due to severe weather conditions (landslides, avalanches and storms). Each year several hundred million tons of inflammable chemical and/or toxic substances are transported by road or rail through Sweden and many hundred million people travel on ferries to and from the European countries. A number of major accidents have occurred as well as several serious near-accidents in which the risk of a disaster has been imminent. Major accidents and disasters Each disaster is unique in its character. This is related to when and where it occurs. The factor that triggers off the disaster is also of great importance since it can lead to special types of injuries and special problems in the rescue operations.

83. Hartford History: Circus Fire The circus fire remains the worst disaster in city history. The Great HartfordCircus Fire Creative Settlement of Mass disasters, legal scholarship http://www.hartfordhistory.net/circusfire.html

Photo: Corbis. Hartford History The Circus Fire The list of resources below probably isn't exhaustive. To suggest additions, contact Kevin@HartfordHistory.net. Those with personal recollections of the disaster are invited to post them on the site's Bulletin Board Special note: The Hartford Circus Fire Memorial Foundation Inc. has been founded to raise money for building a permanent, outdoor memorial to the victims and witnesses of the fire. Plans call for building the memorial on the site of the fire, as a gift to the city. Kathleen E. Palm, the city's treasurer, wrote about the memorial recently in her role as capital campaign chairwoman of the foundation: "It is intended to be contemplative, elegiac and thoughtful - a tribute to the spirit both of the people who endured the tragedy and the community that came together on that terrible day in response." Her words appeared as an op-ed article in the Feb. 8, 2004, editions of The Hartford Courant. The article, along with an artist's rendering of the memorial, can be viewed by clicking here , though registration may be required. To make a contribution to the foundation, send it to:

84. Disasters - A History Of New Zealand's House Of Representatives Disasterproofing. A few potentially serious outbreaks of fire in the nineteenthcentury finally led to fire-fighting equipment being installed in the http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/parlt-hist/builds-dis-asters.html

The House New Zealand's House of Representatives 1854-2004 Skip navigation NZHistory.net.nz ... The House Subjects Quick History Parliament MPs Staff and spectators ... The Library Disasters Grounds Special topics The first sitting, 1854 Parliament in te reo Parliament in postcards Parliament in poetry ... Bad language Resources Useful terms Milestones Biographies Links Multimedia Panoramas Films Sounds Disasters Crowds watch from Sydney Street (East) as Parliament Buildings burn down, 1907. See more detail Fire and earthquake have been a major threat to New Zealand's parliamentary buildings. Fire was the worst danger, because wood was used in the buildings for a good part of their history. Earthquakes have not substantially damaged the buildings, but Wellington's location on a fault line worried engineers, and several times recommendations were made to demolish parts of the parliamentary complex because of the earthquake risk. The great fire of 1907 At 2 a.m. on 11 December 1907 Parliament's nightwatchman made his regular check of the buildings and returned to his office for a hot cup of cocoa. He thought he heard rain on the roof, but when he went to check, he found a substantial blaze had broken out. He sounded the alarm, threw open the gate for the fire brigade and tackled the fire with a hose ― which soon burned right through. Contemporary postcard of the 1907 fire.

85. EXPLORIT SCIENCE CENTER: Science Facts What are some specific examples of naturalfire disasters? Caused by the April18, 1906 San Andreas Fault earthquake, a fire in San Francisco destroyed http://www.explorit.org/science/disasters.html

HOME ABOUT CALENDAR NEWS ... EXPANSION Some of the science behind some NATURAL DISASTERS Introduction It is very important for us to be aware of the effect that civilization has on our natural world but we need also to understand some of the ways in which natural forces - out of our control - affect that same world. Natural disasters are those caused as a result of extreme examples of natural phenomena. These include ferocious winds, extraordinary amounts of water, devastating fire, massive earth movements, or the excessive behavior of animals, plants, or micro-organisms. The disasters described on this page vary in intensity and effect but all are particularly damaging in their own way. We have addressed four types of biological disasters. These involve a) rabbits , b) an insect , c) a bacterium , and d) a virus . Currently we have only introduced one cause of physical disaster and that is fire DISASTER CAUSED BY RABBITS 1. Is it possible for rabbits to cause a natural disaster? Yes, if they occur in extreme numbers. In Australia in the 1950s rabbits, with few natural enemies, had multiplied dramatically. They are herbivores (they eat plants) and in some areas had picked the land so bare that erosion set in and the land could no longer be farmed.

86. UNEP/GRID-Arendal - Press Releases UNEP report highlights environmental impact of recent fire disasters. 2 February1999 Fire also produces large amounts of particulate matter. http://www.grida.no/newsroom.cfm?pressReleaseItemID=470

87. @LA Emergencies/Disasters In Southern California: Los Angeles County, Orange Cou @LA Emergencies/disasters in Southern California/Greater Los Angeles. and LongBeach Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) http://www.at-la.com/@la-em.htm

Emergencies/Disasters New Lower Prices on all our Security Products, Home alarm systems and Video surveillance cameras Click Here whole words only All Counties Los Angeles County Orange County Riverside County San Bernardino County Ventura County www. .la Airplane Crashes Blackouts CERT Programs Communications Networks ... Weather Featured Hot Links Southern California Earthquake Center Data Center is a treasure-trove of maps, data, forecasts, facts and analysis about LA's #1 nemesis. What you don't know can't hurt you? ... maybe you shouldn't visit this site. Index General CERT Programs Communications Networks Information Preparedness Organizations ... Relief Organizations Information California OES Current Information Emergency Digital Information Service (EDIS) Long Beach Disaster Information Resources Update LA Emergency Preparedness/Response Organizations Government Agencies BICEPP - The Business and Industry Council for Emergency Plannning and Preparedness , Van Nuys California Emergency Services Association (CESA), Southern Chapter Community Preparedness Website Project Emergency Network Los Angeles (ENLA) Emergency Network Los Angeles/LAVOAD ... Los Angeles Chapter Association of Contingency Planners , Marina del Rey S.E.C.U.R.E. Program

88. Oil Vandalisationinduced fire disasters destroy economic crops such as cocoa, coffee,palm trees, rubber among others, which are sources of income to their http://www.nigerdeltacongress.com/oarticles/oil.htm

Oil-Pipeline Vandalization In The Niger Delta: The Way Out By Fred Brume In spite of these security measures, statistics on oil pipeline vandalization remain staggering. In 1999, there were 524 cases of oil pipeline rupture, 27 of which were due to natural causes, namely, wear and tear arising mainly from corrosion, while the rest, 497, were due to vandalization. In the first six months of this year, 400 oil pipeline ruptures had occurred, 382 of which were due to wilful vandalization. By the end of the year, according to PPMC projections, cases of oil pipeline vandalization in the Niger Delta area are expected to be as high as 764. The recent pipeline rupture at Atlas Cove, Lagos, indicates that forecasts and spread of the ruptures may even be ahead of PPMC projections. What are the factors responsible for this state of affairs? CAUSES OF OIL PIPELINE VANDALIZATION. The cause of oil pipeline vandalization which started in the Niger Delta can be traced to the long history of neglect, marginalization and repression of the people of the Niger Delta by successive Governments since the First Republic. The cumulative effect of all this has been lack of development and widespread poverty, and discontent among the people of the Niger Delta. The immediate cause of the growing vandalization is general discontent of the Niger Delta peoples, which has given vent to this unlawful method of recovering or "scooping" what is seen by many as their oil wealth that is being unfairly carted away to Abuja and other places, while they wallow in abject poverty and unemployment.

89. Alexandra Renewal Project: Updates: Publications: "Tounship News" Vol.9, Dec.200 Let s work together to bring fire disasters under control. Charles Mnisi. Head ofthe newly established Disaster Management Committee (DMC). http://www.alexandra.co.za/2004_publications/tn09_fire_control.htm

Overview About Alex The Team Community Focus Areas Updates Downloads Search Site Map Submit Comments Subscribe ... Home Volume 9 Keeping you informed about i-kasi...! Let's work together to bring fire disasters under control Charles Mnisi Head of the newly established Disaster Management Committee (DMC). William Mazibuko is puzzled at the escalating cases of shack fires, which he descrides as “a vicious circle that needs special attention before its too late”. According to Mazibuko, the committee has been formed to specifically attend to the growing fire disasters in the township and proper coordination of different agencies involved in disaster management. The committee which is composed of representatives from region 7, SAPS, ARP, Joburg City Emergencies Services is expected to facilitate coordination between the community Liaison Officers (CLO’s) councilors, fire Department, Police, and NGO’s in disaster situations. “The recent shack fires in London Road has exposed us to the reality of poor coordination and need of disaster awareness campaigns,” he explained. In response to this challenge the committee conducted two workshops on disaster management. The first workshop was held on the 22 October at Sandton with stakeholders, and the second followed on the 4th November at the Alexandra Transit Village (AVT) for the benefit of the Community Liaison Officers. ARP Safety and security Coordinator, Adriel Van Driel says the purpose of the workshop with the CLO’S was to clarify their roles and responsibilities in disaster situations.

90. Disasters (Harpers.org) Wellmeaning citizens created a small disaster by overwhelming rescue workers with Aug 3, More than 300 people died in a supermarket fire in Paraguay. http://www.harpers.org/Disaster.html

Disasters Sources Events Related To Disasters Week of Aug 1 A special federal review panel led by Senator John Danforth cleared the U.S. Justice Department disaster Week of Aug 15 Oak trees were dying of a mysterious fungus in California Week of Jan 23 A small earthquake was detected in New York City Week of Mar 13 Anarchists claimed responsibility for last week's earthquake in the Pacific Northwest. Week of Jul 24 A natural-gas well exploded near Waco, Texas killing two Halliburton Company workers. Week of Sep 11 One million British schoolchildren jumped in unison for a minute in a failed attempt to create a minor earthquake Thousands of volunteers rushed to lower Manhattan . Well-meaning citizens created a small disaster by overwhelming rescue workers with truckloads of socks , T-shirts, food . Much was simply thrown away. Week of Oct 30 New York was shaken by a 2.6-magnitude earthquake Jun 7 A small airplane dropped from the sky over Los Angeles and landed on an apartment building. [New York Times] Nov 5 President Bush , who has refused to comment directly on the daily casualties in Iraq and has not attended a single funeral for a soldier killed there, traveled to

91. NAFI |Media Release, Carr forest deals threaten more fire disasters. 10 Feb 2003 She also warnedthat until new standards for fire management and necessary funding were set, http://www.nafi.com.au/media/view.php3?id=171

92. FIRE DISASTERS IN CYPRUS IN THE LAST DECADE - MANAGEMENT AND CONSEQUENCES This article reports on the incidence and severity of fire disasters in Cyprus, 9Distribution of fire disasters 19931999 by place of occourence. http://www.medbc.com/annals/review/vol_14/num_4/text/vol14n4p200.asp

Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XIV - n. 4 - December 2001 FIRE DISASTERS IN CYPRUS IN THE LAST DECADE - MANAGEMENT AND CONSEQUENCES Mantas N. Apollonion Private Hospital, Strovolos, Cyprus SUMMARY. This article reports on the incidence and severity of fire disasters in Cyprus, the third largest island in the Mediterranean, in the last decade. Various aspects are considered: the location of forest fires, their frequency, fire-fighting facilities, burn centres, etc. The medical service in Cyprus is equipped to handle all burn victims, even in cases of mass burns. The aim of this article is to present the incidence and severity of fire disasters in Cyprus. Plastic surgeons in general are aware of the dramatic consequences of burn injury and they have the ability to inform people and authorities about them. Our interest in fire disaster statistics will help us to understand how these disasters happen and will contribute to public efforts to introduce prevention programmes. Burn prevention is a must and should be the first step in burn management. AREA 9300 km POPULATION Fig 1 - Cyprus - statistic.

93. FIRE DISASTERS: THE WHO-UNEP-WMO HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR VEGETATION FIRE EVENTS Annals of Burns and Fire disasters vol. XIV - n. 4 - December 2001. FIRE disastersTHE WHO-UNEP-WMO HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR VEGETATION FIRE EVENTS http://www.medbc.com/annals/review/vol_14/num_4/text/vol14n4p197.asp

Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters - vol. XIV - n. 4 - December 2001 FIRE DISASTERS: THE WHO-UNEP-WMO HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR VEGETATION FIRE EVENTS Schwela D. Department of Protection of the Human Environment, Occupational and Environmental Health Programme, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland SUMMARY. The causes of vegetarian fires are reviewed and their potential risk is documented. Strategies for reducing the risks are listed. The specific health risks of vegetation fires are also analysed. High concentrations of inhalable particulate matter are found in smoke from vegetation fires, constituting a health risk. Suspended particulate matter has been associated with increased mortality, and morbidity. Asthmatics are particularly at risk. A series of health guidelines for vegetation fire events is presented. Introduction Vegetation fires, whether man-made or natural as a consequence of extreme drought, occur in many parts of the world. Fires are caused by slash and burn land clearing, by clearing of plantations following logging operations, and by natural events such as lightning or extreme drought. During dry seasons, fires usually reach a peak and can present a transboundary problem when prevailing winds disperse the smoke to other countries. It can happen that extensive fire fighting activities do not help to extinguish the fires, especially when peat soil is burning. The smoke from vegetation fires seriously affects exposed populations. Examples in case are the concentrations of PM10 as monitored in Malaysia and Singapore during the outbreak of the vegetation fires in Indonesia from July to October 1997 which substantially exceeded the air quality guidelines recommended previously by WHO and national air quality standards. Increased numbers of incidences of respiratory diseases and hospital admissions were reported. Contingency plans harmonized between countries to the utmost extent possible would help to mitigate the air pollutant burden suffered by the general public.

94. Fire Safety Links to fire safety information on the web. Fire Challenge Kidszone (Hampshire,UK Fire Rescue Service); Fire disasters What Have We Learned? http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/links/fire.htm

Fire Safety Hazardous Materials Hazard Communications Safety Training ... Online Safety Library Fire Safety Articles and Information Fire Safety (Collection from OSHA's SLC Technical Site) OSHA Fire Safety Advisor (OSHA interactive software) OSHA's Final Rule on Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans and Fire Prevention Plans Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems (NFPA) Carbon Monoxide Campus Fire Safety (US Fire Admin.) Candle Fires (NASFM) Candle Safety (NFPA Fact Sheet) Children and Smoke Detectors (Thomas Cunningham, USNAFD) Chimney Fires (Chimney Safety Institute) College Fire Safety 101 (Carter-Burgess) Dorm/Fraternity/Sorority House Fires (NFPA Fact Sheet) Dorm Room Safety 101 (Underwriters Laboratories) Employee Fire and Emergency Prevention Plan (Lab Safety Supply) Everything You Wanted to Know About Fire Safety (OUDPS) Facts About Fire Prevention Codes and Christmas Trees (ICC) Fire and Burn Prevention (Collection from CPSC) Fire Challenge: Kidszone Fire Disasters: What Have We Learned?

95. NFPA :: Learning :: Public Education Risk Watch® Unintentional Injuries, Risk Watch® Natural disasters, The MississippiProject, Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, Talking About disasters http://www.nfpa.org/displayContent.asp?categoryID=196

96. American Red Cross Home English Services Disaster Services Wild fires Teach children aboutfire safety. Keep matches out of their reach. http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_594_,00.html

For News, Safety Tips and Disaster Updates Blackouts Chemical Emergencies Drought Earthquakes ... Winter Storms Find Your Local Red Cross Enter Zip Code Here: Or Browse Through A List of Chapters! Circle of Humanitarians Look Who's Helping ... Disaster Services Wildfire (PDF File) More and more people are making their homes in woodland settings in or near forests, rural areas, or remote mountain sites. There, homeowners enjoy the beauty of the environment but face the very real danger of wildfire. Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do and where to go if wildfires threaten your area. Follow the steps listed below to protect your family, home, and property. Practice Wildfire Safety People start most wildfires . . . find out how you can promote and practice wildfire safety. Contact your local fire department, health department, or forestry office for information on fire laws. Make sure that fire vehicles can get to your home. Clearly mark all driveway entrances and display your name and address. Report hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire.

97. New York Extension Disaster Education Network (NY EDEN) and property damage resulting from Natural disasters, Severe Weather, Fire, Resources for fire safety professionals cover arson, counterterrorism, http://emergencypreparedness.cce.cornell.edu/topics/?code=fire

98. The Fire This Time - Fall 2000 of the current disaster. Right now, big fires are the story of the moment.Next month, it’s another disaster story. But fire is not just a natural http://chicagowildernessmag.org/issues/fall2000/fire.html

"Fire is not just a natural hazard but an important cultural issue." Stephen Pyne Fall 2000 by Debra Shore Compare this Midwest analog with the TV images of raging conifer fires. Here our ground fires invigorate the oaks, drive out invasive species, and restore health to plant and animal communities. Photo by Joe Nowak. Today, there is no dispute among experts that fire is an essential part of many ecosystems, including most of the natural communities of Chicago Wilderness. But that fact is hardly common knowledge, neither to the average person nor to the average news writer. Photo by Kim Karpeles/Life Through the Lens. "Unquestionably we should learn from the experiences out West," says Jim Anderson, natural resource manager for the Lake County Forest Preserves and co-chair of the Chicago Wilderness burn task force. "One lesson is that if you suppress fire, you have more of a problem than if you manage it wisely. We have a 30-year record in the region of land management agencies conducting controlled burns without a significant problem."

99. Western Wildfires By mail ELCA DOMESTIC Disaster Response Western fires PO Box 71764 Get the ELCA Domestic Disaster Response logo that you can save and paste in http://www.elca.org/dcs/disaster/westfire.html

Back to list of current disasters WESTERN WILDFIRES Full Report Other Domestic Disaster Response Ideas and Items July 11, 2002 Dear friends in Christ, Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR; a cooperative ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ) continues its response to the major western fires. ARIZONA Lutheran Social Ministry of the Southwest (LSM-SW; Lynn Baker, president) has named Traci Gruenberger the LDR coordinator to manage efforts in response to Arizona fires. LSM-SW is a new disaster-responding agency with LDR. Presently, needs are being assessed, and LSM-SW is working to coordinate its efforts with the state VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) and Church World Service Response and Recovery Liaison Peter Van Hook. Arizona fire statistics as of July 10: Fires reported: 1,551 Acres burned: 619,688 Homes destroyed: 426 Current situation: Rodeo/Chediski Complex fires are contained.

100. Science Blog -- Study Shows Smoking Is A Leading Cause Of Fire Disaster And Deat Study shows smoking is a leading cause of fire disaster and death worldwide,costing over $27 billion yearly. (SACRAMENTO, CA) Based on a worldwide study http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2000/E/200004043.html

From: University of California, Davis - Medical Center Study shows smoking is a leading cause of fire disaster and death worldwide, costing over $27 billion yearly (SACRAMENTO, CA) - Based on a worldwide study of smoking-related fire and disaster data, UC Davis epidemiologists show smoking is a leading cause of fires and death from fires globally, resulting in an estimated cost of nearly $7 billion in the United States and $27.2 billion worldwide in 1998. The study is published in the August issue of Preventive Medicine. Fires cause 1 percent of the global burden of disease and 300,000 deaths per year worldwide. Fire disasters destroy cities, families, workplaces, workers and wildlands and have an enormous impact on human health, the environment and society. Smoking causes an estimated 30 percent of fire deaths in the United States and 10 percent of fire deaths worldwide. Each year, over one billion smokers throughout the world light over 6 trillion cigarettes, creating a potential source of ignition from cigarette butts and from cigarette lighters and matches that fall into the hands of young children. In France, a single lighted cigarette thrown from a moving car in 1999 ignited a fire in the Mont Blanc Tunnel, a major thoroughfare between France and Italy, causing 39 deaths and over $1 billion in losses to the region. The Oakland Hills fire in California, in which a lit cigarette remains a suspected cause, left 10,000 homeless, destroyed nearly 4,000 dwellings and cost more than $1.5 billion. And in Texas City, Texas, the Federal Bureau of Investigation blamed a cigarette for probably igniting an ammonium nitrate explosion in 1947, causing the worst industrial disaster death toll and fire disasters in U.S. history. The explosion caused nearly 600 deaths, 380 hospitalizations longer than two months, 4,100 casualties, and damage to more than 90 percent of the city's buildings at a cost of more than $4 billion.

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