Dong Keun Yoon

Assessment of social vulnerability to natural disasters: a comparative study

The purpose of this study is to examine and compare the methodologies being developed in assessing social vulnerability to natural disasters. Existing vulnerability literature shows that two methods have been used in developing social vulnerability indexes: (1) a deductive approach based on a theoretical understanding of relationships and (2) an inductive approach based on statistical relationships (Adger et al. in New indicators of vulnerability and adaptive capacity. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norwich, 2004). Two techniques were also utilized in aggregating social vulnerability indicators: (1) a deductive approach using standardization techniques such as z scores or linear scaling (Wu et al. in Clim Res 22:255–270, 2002; Chakraborty et al. in Nat Hazards Rev 6(1):23–33, 2005) and (2) an inductive approach using data-reduction techniques such as factor analysis (Clark et al. in Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 3(1):59–82, 1998; Cutter et al. Soc Sci Quart 84(2):242–261, 2003). This study empirically compares deductive and inductive index development and indicator aggregation methods in assessing social vulnerability to natural disasters in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coastal areas. The aggregated social vulnerability index is used to examine a relationship with disaster losses in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coastal areas. The results show that coastal counties with more vulnerability in terms of social achieved status are positively associated with disaster damages, while variations in the development of the index using deductive and inductive measurement approaches produce different outcomes.

Identifying Critical Sources of Bridge Deterioration in Cold Regions through the Constructed Bridges in North Dakota

This paper presents the performance of constructed bridges in cold regions through examining the bridges in North Dakota that is one of the coldest regions in the United States. Unique approach of a combined multiple regression and geographic information system technology is employed to evaluate the performance and to identify the critical sources affecting deterioration of the 5,289 bridges sampled from the National Bridge Inventory database inspected between 2006 and 2007. Typical parameters examined include physical, material, and environmental factors associated with the existing bridges. The importance of maintenance and repair is highlighted. Traffic volume significantly influences the level of deterioration of the bridge decks. Year built is the most significant contribution to the structural deficiency of the bridges, followed by structural characteristics and traffic volumes. The presence of water particularly influences the deterioration. Concrete bridges are more durable than steel bridges. Tru...

Volunteer fire department perceptions of ICS and NIMS

A mail survey designed to explore perceptions of the Incident Command System (ICS) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) was sent to volunteer fire fighters and department chiefs in Spring of 2008. The data demonstrated that both ICS and NIMS were not well perceived among responding volunteer fire chiefs and volunteer fire fighters in North Dakota. Rather than indicating issues with the ICS or NIMS systems themselves, respondents’ comments revealed concerns with the systems to be rooted in their status as volunteers and their residence in rural areas.

Disaster Policies and Emergency Management in Korea

This chapter examines the impact of natural disasters on disaster management systems and policy in Korea. This chapter also examines how disaster management systems and policies have been changed and adapted to increase communities’ capacity to cope with disasters and to reduce disaster risk over time. This chapter compares natural disaster policies in terms of the disaster mitigation perspective in Korea and discusses challenges and issues relating to current disaster management in practice to increase a community’s capacity to deal effectively with future disasters. In addition, this chapter discusses the cause and effect relationship between disasters and development through a case example of the 2011 Seoul flood. The concluding part of this chapter suggests some recommendations for improving disaster management to build a disaster resilient community.

Volunteer fire chiefs' perceptions of retention and recruitment challenges in rural fire departments: The case of North Dakota, USA

Abstract Many rural volunteer fire departments in the US are contending with decreasing numbers of volunteers. General social change and changes specific to firefighting have created retention and recruitment challenges for rural fire departments across the nation. The present study examines volunteer fire chiefs’ perceptions of these challenges in a state where there has been a long-term decline in the state’s rural population. The study draws on data collected from a statewide survey of volunteer fire department chiefs in North Dakota. This study found that chiefs did not see turnover as a major problem, but chiefs did report the need for many more volunteer firefighters and much more training to improve their departments. Consistent with national studies, chiefs identified age, time demands, government mandates, and personality conflicts as turnover triggers. In contrast with national studies, chiefs did not report loss of interest as a significant trigger. Finally, the study examines the sizable gap reported by chiefs between the number of active and inactive volunteers on department rosters and suggests how inactive volunteers might be utilized to recruit.

Factors contributing to business actions in response to climate change in Korea

Climate change is a growing problem and has been highlighted as a global issue. Empirical evidence increasingly indicates its obvious potential risks to humans and society. As members of this society, business organizations face greatly diverse climate change-related risks that they must recognize and respond to. However, gaps exist between scientific evidence and the actions of business organizations. Few empirical studies have examined the business organizations’ actions taken in response to climate change in Korea. This paper addresses this critical gap in the climate change literature by examining business organizations’ behaviors and identifying the factors influencing their actions. We employ statistical models to compare corporate climate change actions, and we explain their variations using survey data. The results indicate that despite increasing concerns about climate change, businesses have implemented very limited precautionary mitigation and adaptation actions. In addition, the concerns of the businesses about future climate change impact, organizational capacity (leadership, staff capacity, existence of a relevant division or department), and business size are significant factors with respect to the implementation of climate change actions.

An Examination of the Functions and Usages of Mobile Applications for Disaster and Safety Management in Korea

우리나라는 매년 태풍, 호우, 대설, 산사태와 같은 자연재난 으로 인하여 많은 피해가 발생하고 있으며, 이로 인한 사회적, 경제적 손실이 적지 않다. 국가재난통계포털에 의하면 우리나 라는 연평균(2002-2012년) 68명의 인명피해와 1조 6,000억 원에 달하는 재산피해가 발생하고 있다(National Disaster Information Center, 2013). 재난과 같은 위기상황에 있어서 정확한 재난정보를 신속하 게 수집하고 전달하는 것은 재난으로부터 피해를 최소화하고 위험을 줄이는데 있어서 중요한 역할을 한다(Lindsay, 2011). 또한 필요한 재난안전정보를 보다 빠르고 신속하게 수집하고 대중에게 전달하는데 있어서 스마트폰과 같은 모바일 기기의 앱(Applications)은 중요한 툴(tool)로서 개발되어지고 있으며 그 사용이 늘어나고 있는 추세이다. 무선인터넷과 위성위치확인시스템(GPS, Global Positioning Systems)을 활용한 위치기반 서비스(Location Based Systems, LBS)를 이용하여 각종 뉴스나 SNS, 모바일 메신저 앱 등을 통해 실시간으로 정확한 정보를 획득하고 전달하는 기능을 가진 스마트폰은 2013년 상반기 기준으로 전국 가입자 수가 3천5백만 명을 넘어 대중화 되어가고 있다. 이러한 스마트폰 보급률과 그 활용도에 힘입어 우리나라에서는 최근 정부 및 Abstract

Examining Factors Contributing to the Development of FEMA-Approved Hazard Mitigation Plans

Abstract The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires local governments to complete pre-disaster mitigation plans, approved by FEMA, in order to be eligible for certain types of federal funding. Even with this requirement in place, many local jurisdictions in the U.S. have yet to adopt a FEMA-approved multi-hazard mitigation plan. Consequently, the percentage of a state’s population covered by such plans varies substantially from state to state. This study examined staff resources, financial resources, and disaster experience of local governments by state as factors contributing to the development of FEMA-Approved Hazard Mitigation Plans. Indicators of these measures were gleaned from multiple nationwide data sets and each measure’s relative importance was assessed via multiple regression analysis. Two measures of staff resources failed to affect the likelihood of completing approved hazard mitigation plans, while one measure of financial resources (Pre-Disaster Mitigation planning dollars per capita by state) and one measure of disaster experience (number of Presidential Disaster Declaration incidents per capita by state) had significant effects on the percentage of a state’s population covered by approved plans. Implications for promoting the development of local governments’ hazard mitigation plans are discussed.