01:04:03 PM Avagene Moore:With out any further to do -- Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum Round Table! ... 01:04:11 PM Avagene Moore:We are pleased to have everyone here today and have tried to ensure a few representatives of the international community. ... 01:05:09 PM Jan Zastrow:Russell, thanks for remembering that ... but actually Hawaii's only been a state since 1959! 01:07:10 PM Janet Dilling:Avagene, are we ready? 01:07:40 PM Amy Sebring:Go ahead Janet please. 01:07:54 PM Amy Sebring:Avagene is having connection trouble. 01:07:58 PM Janet Dilling:Thanks Amy! 01:08:06 PM Janet Dilling:Hello Everyone... Welcome! 01:08:18 PM Janet Dilling:I am hosting today's round table as the Chair of the International Association of Emergency Manager's (IAEM) International Development Committee... 01:08:32 PM Janet Dilling:Actively promoting sessions such as this is an integral part of our mission... 01:08:49 PM Janet Dilling:Before we start I would like to take a few minutes to familarize you with what our committee is about..... 01:09:02 PM Janet Dilling:We, as a committee, endeavor to do what we can to.... 01:09:11 PM Janet Dilling:Develop IAEM as an effective international organization by: 01:09:20 PM Janet Dilling:Expanding communication with the global community... 01:09:42 PM Janet Dilling:Ensuring that IAEM incorporates international perspectives throughout the organization... 01:09:54 PM Janet Dilling:Changing the perspective of what "international" means to our membership... 01:10:13 PM Janet Dilling:We also want to help provide outreach to the global Emergency Management Community by: 01:10:29 PM Janet Dilling:Expanding our network of global partnerships in Emergency Management... 01:10:43 PM Janet Dilling:..and encouraging a global perspective on emergency management issues... 01:10:58 PM Janet Dilling:Incidently, one of the ways we hope to do this is by Identifing relevant global issues in forums such as this one... 01:11:21 PM Janet Dilling:Hopefully this will help in some very small way contribute to the global community's ability to share resources and knowledge.... 01:11:39 PM Janet Dilling:..so that we can collaborate on solutions to global problems. 01:11:57 PM Janet Dilling:Speaking of global problems - are the problems that we all deal with in our jurisdictions, companies, and countries in this field, "international problems"? 01:12:41 PM Amy Sebring:(Janet, is that a rhetorical question?) 01:13:12 PM Janet Dilling:No Amy, what does everyone think? 01:13:24 PM Amy Sebring:Ok, I thought you were looking for some feedback! 01:13:32 PM Amy Sebring:We have a large group today... 01:13:45 PM Amy Sebring:I think we are going to have to use our ? mark format. 01:14:01 PM Amy Sebring:If you have a thought for Janet please enter a ? and wait to be recognized. 01:14:35 PM Jan Zastrow:? 01:14:42 PM Amy Sebring:I for one think that at the "local" level, we face common challenges around the world. 01:14:47 PM Amy Sebring:Yes Jan. 01:15:09 PM Jan Zastrow:Well, in the Pacific, the No. 1 concern is natural disasters... 01:15:23 PM Jan Zastrow:especially hurricanes. 01:15:46 PM Janet Dilling:I am wondering by what measure can we guage what is a problem for us and one that reaches beyond us? 01:15:57 PM Jan Zastrow:And El Nino is very much on emergency managers' minds 01:16:12 PM Randall Duncan:? 01:16:15 PM Jan Zastrow:and the drought it has caused this year. 01:16:17 PM Amy Sebring:Randy. 01:16:33 PM Randall Duncan:Thanks Amy, and Janet. I think there are probably several items we are all... 01:16:45 PM Randall Duncan:concerned about in EM. Most recently the issue of terrorism is on our minds... 01:16:52 PM Randall Duncan:followed closely by natural disasters... 01:17:04 PM Randall Duncan:and then to top things off, there's the issue of continuity of government / business... 01:17:22 PM Randall Duncan:and the issue of professionalism within our field. Wow! What a list -- just for starters! 01:17:41 PM Amy Sebring:Janet, regarding a guage ... 01:17:58 PM Amy Sebring:I believe the more we learn about what is faced in the international arena... 01:18:15 PM Amy Sebring:the more we will find that we share common concerns, problems, etc. 01:18:46 PM Amy Sebring:e.g. communications, warning, public education, and so on. 01:19:03 PM Janet Dilling:So, if understanding the commonalities is key - how can we better do that... 01:19:21 PM Janet Dilling:I am not sure we are doing an effective job of that in our community. 01:20:04 PM MikeStaley:? 01:20:17 PM Jan Zastrow:Janet, does your organization host an annual meeting of emergency managers from around the world... 01:20:18 PM Amy Sebring:Another question may be, why would we in US e.g. WANT to do that... 01:20:26 PM Amy Sebring:what's in it for us? 01:20:27 PM Jan Zastrow:to discuss just that? 01:20:45 PM Amy Sebring:Please respond to Jan and then Mike get ready. 01:21:27 PM Janet Dilling:Jan, we have some international members and of course encourage them to attend our meetings but we need to do a better job in finding ways to engage them. 01:21:45 PM Amy Sebring:Mike please. 01:21:48 PM MikeStaley:To what extent are we we learning to take care of ourself, to then take care of the world? 01:22:07 PM Jan Zastrow:Well, funding their involvement always helps ;) 01:22:34 PM Janet Dilling:Mike, I hear that often. But I am afraid if we wait to get our own house in order that day will never come... 01:23:12 PM Janet Dilling:I am not suggesting that any country should take care of another - just that each has something to learn from other's experiences. 01:23:42 PM Janet Dilling:Certainly, Randy's mention of terrorism is a good example - an issue that the whole world is facing, but are we truly facing it together? 01:23:59 PM MikeStaley:? 01:24:10 PM Amy Sebring:Mike pls. 01:24:35 PM MikeStaley:I was speaking of theindividual emergency manager, rescue person. A good example is easy to follow. 01:25:11 PM Janet Dilling:I'm not sure I understand Mike. 01:25:17 PM Amy Sebring:So, sharing lessons learned on a global basis could be a benefit. What else? 01:26:06 PM Janet Dilling:I curious of how we can better share what we are doing, not just lessons learned but initiatives as well. 01:26:16 PM Amy Sebring:I would suggest that the unique perspective of the "local" or field worker is not adequately represented in higher level policymaking. 01:26:39 PM Amy Sebring:Could not a stronger international alliance help transcend the politics of individual states? 01:26:53 PM Avagene Moore:I would add that the field level is rarely shared between national levels. 01:26:59 PM Janet Dilling:So how do we share that perspective, Amy? 01:27:19 PM Amy Sebring:First we have to find out what it is exactly! 01:27:20 PM Janet Dilling:Or help build that alliance? 01:27:36 PM Amy Sebring:There are some opportunities coming up right here. 01:27:44 PM Amy Sebring:Avagene, can we plug a couple? 01:28:15 PM Avagene Moore:Janet, Amy, I think the advances in this area have to be driven by those who want it to happen. Don't look for national governments to do it. 01:28:15 PM Avagene Moore:Sure. 01:28:26 PM Amy Sebring:Go ahead. 01:28:30 PM BurtWallrich:? 01:28:44 PM Amy Sebring:(while I look up references!) 01:29:00 PM Avagene Moore:I was hoping you were going to do it, Amy. My connection is so sluggish still. ... 01:29:18 PM john oakley:? 01:29:41 PM Janet Dilling:Burt, why don't go ahead. 01:29:42 PM Amy Sebring:ok, we will be sponsoring a mailing list type online conference with the OAS... 01:29:44 PM Avagene Moore:The EIIP through the Virtual Forum is trying to expand our outreach to the international community .... 01:29:54 PM BurtWallrich:At last year's conf. I met the people from Global Forum for Natu. Disaster REduction (GFNDR)... 01:30:13 PM BurtWallrich:..these are local NGOs as distinct from the Red Cross, etc. 01:30:38 PM BurtWallrich:Their concern is rebuilding communities that are devastated by disaster in poor countries... 01:31:03 PM BurtWallrich:where day-to-day functioning is difficult at best... 01:31:35 PM BurtWallrich:We are working on a grant application for developing models for post-disaster recovery in poor communiities... 01:32:00 PM BurtWallrich:that are applicable for local conditions, economics, etc. and that can be replicated. (END) 01:32:10 PM Avagene Moore:Our outreach is the result of a survey we did awhile back that told us the global EM community is small and since we are promoting technology and the Internet, it is a natural fit. 01:32:44 PM Avagene Moore:Amy, are you ready to add something else about OAS? 01:32:45 PM Amy Sebring:The OAS conference will be in October, and we will have more info shortly. 01:33:02 PM Amy Sebring:The focus is on preparedness for the educational community. 01:33:26 PM Avagene Moore:OAS=Organization of American States. 01:33:35 PM Amy Sebring:Also, we hope to do a live chat for the IDNDR World Disaster Reduction Day in October. 01:33:52 PM Janet Dilling:Those EIIP activities sound exciting - so does the model that you are proposing Burt. 01:33:55 PM Amy Sebring:We have recently created an IDNDR page which is listed under Quick Picks... 01:34:01 PM Amy Sebring:see http://www.emforum.org/vforum/idndr98.htm 01:34:31 PM Avagene Moore:I have a question of our audience .... 01:34:43 PM Janet Dilling:Amy, I think John had a question or comment 01:35:06 PM Amy Sebring:Yes, John Oakley. 01:35:14 PM Amy Sebring:Sorry, please go ahead John. 01:35:33 PM Amy Sebring:Then we will come back to Avagene. 01:35:48 PM Avagene Moore:Is the EM community, domestic and global, using technology and specifically the Internet as a tool for sharing info and experineces. 01:35:48 PM Avagene Moore:(Sorry about that.) 01:36:35 PM Amy Sebring:John, do you remember your question/comment? 01:36:48 PM john oakley:The training and education networks around the world are a good place to strart and share information, especially at the local level. 01:37:05 PM BurtWallrich:This GFNDR grant writing has all been done via internet. GFNDR is organized under the IDNDR. 01:37:23 PM Janet Dilling:You know Avagene, I think we are all trying. I wonder sometimes if time zones are not a culprit in prohibiting us from being more successful. 01:37:57 PM Jan Zastrow:? 01:37:57 PM Amy Sebring:There may be some funding opportunites through the World Bank also Burt. They are starting to take an interest in this area. 01:38:03 PM Avagene Moore:But there are ways to talk and share regardless of time zones. 01:38:05 PM Janet Dilling:What specific networks are you referring to John? 01:39:32 PM chetb:Effectiveness with Latin America should be an indicator whether time zones are a significant barrier. Personally, they aren't. 01:40:10 PM Russell Coile:? 01:40:19 PM Jan Zastrow:Yes, I wanted to say that this is a perfect example, even of synchronous discussion... 01:40:40 PM tricia wachtendorf:Sorry, I've fallen a little behind in the conversation, but I just wanted to add something. Certainly, disasters are not restricted to poiltical boudaries, however, often the way we conceptuize them is. Look at what's going on in Texas and Mexico right now. The flooding impacts both sides of the international border, but we usually just hear about what country X is doing and what country Y is doing - not how they interact or respond together. In the aftermath of the 1997 Red River Flood, the In 01:40:41 PM Jan Zastrow:how folks from all over the world can get together. 01:41:06 PM Jan Zastrow:And there's always _asynchronous_ email and listservs. 01:41:14 PM Amy Sebring:Yes, Russell please. 01:41:27 PM Russell Coile:I found the UN IDNDR internet conference "Solutions for Cities at Risk" a good 01:42:03 PM Russell Coile:format with short papers (3 pages or so) plus discussion over several days 01:42:33 PM Janet Dilling:That was a good example Tricia. 01:42:36 PM Amy Sebring:Our IDNDR page has links to previous conferences also. 01:42:51 PM tricia wachtendorf:ternaltion Joint Commmission is looking a recommedations for increased Canada/US interaction. We should be concerned about the disaster impacts.... 01:44:15 PM tricia wachtendorf:...in other part of the world not just because we want to help them (although that is also really important!!) but what impact other countries has serious political, environmental, and economic implications for the US as well. 01:44:16 PM Avagene Moore:Comment to Russell's remarks: The OAS Virtual Conference will be very similar, if not the same, as the IDNDR one. 01:44:45 PM Avagene Moore:Using Mail List to deliver discussion directly to subscribers' email. 01:45:43 PM Avagene Moore:Tricia, you certainly have hit upon the world view. We can't think that disasters don't effect the entire world because we are not in the disaster zone, state or country. 01:46:30 PM Janet Dilling:I have another example of an issue similar to what Tricia is speaking of... 01:47:01 PM Janet Dilling:that I think we need as a global community to coordinate between ourselves more - that of Y2K 01:47:12 PM Avagene Moore:Precisely, Janet. 01:47:51 PM Avagene Moore:What is everyone's thinking on Y2K? 01:47:54 PM Janet Dilling:Sometimes, I think we forget that even if we in the US and Canada get most of this problem worked out ahead of time, if the rest of the world does not, where does that leave us? 01:48:14 PM Janet Dilling:Everything is a global transaction now. 01:48:14 PM Kevin Farrell:ahead of them Janet... 01:48:38 PM Janet Dilling:Kevin! :<) 01:49:05 PM Janet Dilling:How many of you are approaching Y2K from a consequence management perspective rather than a "technical fix" perspective? 01:49:54 PM Amy Sebring:People are dying in floods and bombings. I have a hard time getting excited about it. 01:50:18 PM Avagene Moore:I may be wrong, but from the discussion we have had in the Preparedness Mail List ... 01:50:28 PM Janet Dilling:I think people could die as a result of the consequence of this as well Amy. 01:51:09 PM Avagene Moore:I fear the majority of people feel this is a big government and big networking problem and don't realize the implications for the individual agency and person. 01:51:53 PM Janet Dilling:Some of the probabilities of damage and consequences estimates are scary.. 01:52:01 PM Kevin Farrell:I fix what I have control over. For what I don't have control, I make contingency plans. 01:52:14 PM Avagene Moore:As stressed by one writer, this is a disaster we have a fixed date on -- can we prepare ahead of time? 01:52:22 PM Janet Dilling:Exactly Kevin, that is what we are getting at. 01:52:37 PM Avagene Moore:And not just handle things by the seat of our pants. 01:53:02 PM tricia wachtendorf:Joe Scanlon did some research on the Ice Storms in Ottaw - power outages were the problem, but a lot of lessons can be learned from that re: the Y2K problem........ 01:53:16 PM Amy Sebring:Janet, can we sum up with efforts you are planning with your committee? 01:53:58 PM Janet Dilling:Yes Amy. 01:54:22 PM Janet Dilling:I hope that we can particpate in more exchanges of this nature... 01:54:43 PM Avagene Moore:(Did Tricia complete her statement?) 01:54:45 PM Janet Dilling:Too, if any of you have any suggestions on other things that we can do, please let me know. 01:55:05 PM Janet Dilling:On behalf of myself and IAEM's International Development Committee let me thank everyone for their participation in today's session... 01:55:23 PM Isabel McCurdy:How Janet, email? 01:55:27 PM Janet Dilling:I hope this is just a beginning in a series of discussions we can have in this forum to emphasize the "global" nature of our field... 01:55:34 PM tricia wachtendorf:...foe example, traffic lights had be checked one by one to find out what type of malfunction was the problem. I think Janet is absolutely right, th Y2K problem could be just if not more disasterous than a flood. 01:55:56 PM Avagene Moore:(thanks, Tricia) 01:55:57 PM Janet Dilling:Yes Isabel. teamsim@usa.pipeline.com or (850) 656-1928 or 644-9961. 01:56:24 PM Amy Sebring:Thank you very much Janet. 01:56:24 PM Janet Dilling:Thanks Tricia. 01:56:37 PM Avagene Moore:Might add that we are talking with Janet about a 'Live from" session during the IAEM Conference... 01:57:09 PM Avagene Moore:with an emphasis on having more of our international peers joining in to find out about the conference happenings .... 01:57:27 PM Avagene Moore:and make them feel a part of this gathering of emergency management professionals. 01:57:56 PM Amy Sebring:Tomorrow at Noon EDT, we will be learning about a low cost GIS program, Manifold. 01:58:09 PM Amy Sebring:Hope you can join us then. 01:58:29 PM Amy Sebring:Although this is the end of our allotted time today ... 01:58:44 PM Amy Sebring:feel free to stay and discuss informally if you wish. 01:58:51 PM Russell Coile:Isabel - please send me your e-mail address - russell@coile.com 01:58:53 PM Amy Sebring:Again our appreciation to Janet. 01:58:59 PM Amy Sebring: 01:59:13 PM Janet Dilling:Happy to participate. Enjoyed the discussion. 01:59:17 PM Jan Zastrow:Thank you, Janet. Very interesting topic! 01:59:27 PM Avagene Moore:Thanks, Janet. Great job. 02:00:48 PM Isabel McCurdy:I'd like to remind everyone to update your user profile. 02:00:49 PM Michel Milot:Thank you for allowing me to share this unique experience. There was exiting subjext tike the Ice Storm or the Red river Flood I was involve. Thank you, next time I will be more active 02:00:54 PM Janet Dilling:Goodbye everyone... I'll stick around for a while if anyone has anything to recommend. 02:01:13 PM Ashley Streetman:Thank you, Janet! 02:01:14 PM Avagene Moore:Thanks Jan Zastrow for getting up so early to join us from Honolulu. Back to an earlier comment: I know that technically Honolulu is not 'international' but Jan has so many contacts in her work with the Pacific Rim. She is international to me. 02:01:25 PM Avagene Moore:Bye, Janet. Thanks again. 02:01:37 PM Janet Dilling:Bye Avagene. 02:02:01 PM Jan Zastrow:Thanks, Avagene! It was worth getting up early for ;> 02:02:13 PM Avagene Moore:Michel Milot is from Canada. Glad to see you here today, Michel. Michel will lead a discussion in the Round Table Sept 15 on Industry Canada. 02:02:32 PM Avagene Moore:Hope so, Jan. Go back to bed now. 02:03:06 PM Avagene Moore:Anyone else from Canada, besides Michel and Isabel? 02:03:22 PM Isabel McCurdy:Sheena is. 02:03:33 PM Sheena Vivian:Yes I am 02:03:47 PM Isabel McCurdy:John Oakley was. 02:03:49 PM Avagene Moore:Great, Sheena, glad you are here. Think I noticed someone else too. Not sure now. 02:03:53 PM BurtWallrich:Goodby, everyone. It was a good "meeting" 02:04:06 PM Avagene Moore:Yes, John Oakley. Great! Thank you Burt.