12:59:43 PM Avagene Moore:Welcome to the EIIP Virtual Forum and the Round Table! ... 12:59:56 PM Avagene Moore:Today we are happy to have David Butler with us to lead our Round Table discussion. David is Editor of the Natural Hazards Observer and a Partner in the EIIP. ... 01:00:27 PM Avagene Moore:After David tells us about his experience in Poland... 01:00:53 PM Avagene Moore:where he was recently involved in ... 01:01:14 PM Avagene Moore:the development of a "Flood Aid Information System" --- we will open the floor for Q&A and have instructions for that part of our session. ... 01:01:27 PM Avagene Moore:As a reminder, background information about the entire OFDA/AID-funded project is available from ... 01:01:38 PM Avagene Moore:http://www.Colorado.EDU/hazards/o/septo98/septo98a.htm 01:01:52 PM Avagene Moore:Since flooding is an all too frequent problem domestically and internationally, David's experience will be of interest to all of us. ... 01:02:01 PM Avagene Moore:David, thanks for joining us today. I now turn the floor over to you. 01:02:06 PM david butler: First, let me give you some additional background material about this project . . . 01:02:27 PM david butler: In July 1997 southern Poland, the northern Czech Republic, and eastern Germany suffered unprecedented flooding - in some areas possibly a 500-year (or greater) event. Reinsurance companies in Europe have described the event as the most expensive disaster worldwide of that year. . . 01:02:52 PM david butler: In response, the U.S. Agency for International Development, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance sponsored a flood recovery program conducted by the Urban Institute office in Warsaw. That program involved several elements, including the organization and operation of "Flood Fairs" in two cities in Poland and the establishment of a "Flood Information System" for flood victims. . . 01:03:14 PM david butler: As most of you are aware, information management is one of the key problems encountered after any disaster, including floods. It is a problem during the immediate response, as well as during short-term recovery and long-term reconstruction. . . 01:03:38 PM david butler:During recovery, the issues include information acquisition/gathering by responsible agencies, information sharing among various organizations and institutions involved in the recovery and reconstruction process, and, in particular, access by flood victims (farmers, homeowners, small business owners, local government officials, and other individuals and groups) to the information they need to rebuild their lives. . . 01:03:57 PM david butler: Flood victims repeatedly cited information as an issue at the first USAID-sponsored Flood Aid Fair held in Raciborz, Poland, in January 1998, and the Urban Institute's Gmina Assistance and Reconstruction Program (GARP) subsequently identified the need to clarify and deal with this problem as a primary goal. . . 01:04:18 PM david butler: That First Flood Aid Fair clearly demonstrated that reconstruction remained a major issue for flood victims many months after the unprecedented July '97 floods and that a coherent information system - a comprehensive source of information about flood recovery available to all those in need of or interested in flood relief/reconstruction issues - would be a tremendous aid to those who suffered significant losses during the floods. . . 01:04:42 PM david butler: As a first step toward achieving this goal, a "Flood Aid Round Table" was organized by the government's Ministry of Floods, TRATWA - a nongovernmental organization that served as an nformation center for other NGOs ["tratwa" is the Polish word for raft] - and the Urban Institute . . . 01:05:02 PM david butler:Held in early April of this year, the goal of the meeting was to determine consensus among government and nongovernment agencies regarding the need for and to create a framework for an information system for flood victims. . . 01:05:30 PM david butler: The Flood Aid Round Table, in which I participated, was attended by representatives from over thirty institutions - both governmental and nongovernmental - involved in flood relief programs. The participants unanimously adopted a resolution to construct the information system and signed a memorandum of understanding, indicating their collective commitment to mutual cooperation in this area. . . 01:05:56 PM david butler: Subsequently, I was involved as a consultant in the design and creation of an actual prototype system, which was tested at the Second Flood Aid Fair held in Opole, Poland earlier this year. . . 01:06:17 PM david butler: Again, the Flood Information System was and is intended to assist victims in flood-devastated areas by providing them with easy access to information about aid and products/services available to assist their recovery. The system is designed to be a central clearinghouse through which anyone can find comprehensive information. . . 01:06:39 PM david butler: In order to achieve this overall goal it was vital to ensure that potential local users from flood-affected areas, both institutions (gminas [local townships], businesses, public utilities, etc.) and informal groups/individuals (homeowners, farmers, etc.), have ready access to the system and information contained therein. . . 01:07:08 PM david butler:Conversely, the system had to be easily accessible to Therefore, the system had to ensure that offers of aid and other information would reach these target groups and that system-generated information would fit their needs and expectations and be delivered in a user-friendly format. . . 01:07:33 PM david butler:each of these client groups, and [a key point] the clients had to be *aware* that this resource exists and know how to use it. Hence, one important component of the system was its promotion and the creation of public awareness. . . 01:07:52 PM david butler: Here's what the model system that we came up with looked like: 01:08:11 PM david butler: First of all, people throughout Poland had access to the information system. Anyone not attending the flood fair could call in via an "800" number and receive information from any of several persons staffing a bank of phones. In turn, these people had access to system information stored on a set of networked computers at the flood fair. In addition, the same information was available via the World Wide Web. . . 01:08:35 PM david butler: People actually attending the second fair initially went to a table where intake personnel preliminarily assessed their needs and then sent them on to one of several stations where specifically trained personnel and specific information were available. There were stations for: homeowners, farmers, local government officials, and business owners. . . 01:08:56 PM david butler: Prior to launching the system, general flood recovery information, as well as consolidated information for each of these target groups, had been entered into computers - primarily in the form of Web pages, but also in the form of easily searchable databases. In addition, printed handouts had been prepared for each target group, listing resources available and indicating which exhibitors at the flood fair (there were about 150 separate booths) might be particularly appropriate resources . . . 01:09:18 PM david butler: One of the interesting findings of this experiment (probably not surprising to any of you social scientists out there) was that the information system served other functions besides just directing victims toward resources. In particular, it clearly served as a therapeutic tool for some. People staffing the "800" number telephones indicated that several callers remarked that they simply appreciated having someone to whom they could voice their experience, problems, and frustrations. . . 01:09:42 PM david butler: If this kind of system is used in other countries and/or in connection with other disasters (and it should be adapatable to other situations), implementers should remember that the system will inevitablly serve this kind of function. Among the resources that should be both included in the databases of recovery resources *and* immediately available are counsellors and other mental health resources that deal with disasters and post-traumatic stress issues. . 01:10:04 PM david butler: Again, the Opole Flood Fair system was a protoype - an experiment and demonstration project. It has subsequently been supported by the Polish branch of the Soros (sp?) Foundation and possibly also by the national government through its Ministry of Floods (although I have not heard if that proposal has actually been funded). . . 01:10:26 PM david butler: One of the lessons I learned from this experience was that the wheel need not be reinvented every time a disaster strikes. Similar systems had been developed before in the U.S. [the FEMA DAC system and phone registration systems, for example], and documentation about their creation and use was very useful in establishing the Polish system. In turn, I strongly believe that the results of the Polish experience can and should be used by others to create similar services after other disasters. . 01:10:52 PM david butler: As I stated at the outset, information is almost universally a major need in disasters - not only before and during impact and response, but also during long-term recovery. . . 01:11:29 PM david butler: I think I’ll stop there. I have more information about where the project has gone since, but it might be more fruitful now to talk about this project - and disaster information dissemination generally. Questions? Comments? 01:11:33 PM Avagene Moore:Thank you, David. Very interesting and throught provoking ... 01:11:39 PM BurtWallrich:? 01:12:05 PM Avagene Moore:To help us maintain order, we ask that you indicate you have a question by inputting a question mark (?); wait to be recognized before sending your question to David. However, you can compose your question while waiting for recognition from the moderator. 01:12:11 PM Avagene Moore:Burt, your question. 01:12:16 PM BurtWallrich:The model for a "raft" exists in the U.S. in NERIN (National Emergency Resource Information Network)... 01:12:22 PM BurtWallrich:NERIN was funded as a demonstration project by TIIAP in 1995. The sponsor, the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems (AIRS) an international professional association... 01:12:36 PM BurtWallrich:has gone back to TIIAP for implementation funding. We should have an answer next month. 01:12:50 PM BurtWallrich:NERIN will gather all federal, state and local info., including government and NGO, at one website and make that available to any agency in the disaster area... 01:12:54 PM Avagene Moore:Other questions? 01:13:01 PM David Crews:? 01:13:05 PM BurtWallrich:The residents can get the information either directly from the web or, more likely, through an organization that they are dealing with anyway. 01:13:24 PM Avagene Moore:(sorry, Burt, thought you were through) David. 01:13:27 PM Amy Sebring:? 01:14:08 PM Avagene Moore:David, you have a question? 01:14:15 PM David Crews:Comment: Fort Collins Colorado had a particularly strong internet response and recovery last year and a very impressive mental health response. 01:14:27 PM Avagene Moore:Amy, you are next. 01:14:37 PM Amy Sebring:I had heard there was some difficulty in Poland in diseminating info pre-disaster, that is warning info? Did you learn anything about that? 01:15:08 PM david butler:Amy, I heard some talk about that, but I'm not really familiar with the problem . . . 01:15:48 PM Avagene Moore:David, I have a question ... 01:15:52 PM david butler:I think David C's comment is tellling . . . it seems as though information/communication systems are always being reinvented when a disaster happens . . . 01:16:34 PM david butler:one clear lesson, again was that, with the experience we've had, they don't need to be re-invented from scratch following each disaster 01:16:44 PM david butler:Yes, Ava? 01:16:49 PM Avagene Moore:Do you have any figures for comparison between citizens using the 800 number vs using the Internet? 01:17:13 PM David Crews:? 01:17:41 PM david butler:I don't have hard numbers, but I'm sure that the 800 number was more popular. It was more heavily advertised, and, in Poland, a more usefula and common means of communicating . . . 01:18:13 PM david butler:statistics were kept however. I'll see if I can get ahold of them. 01:18:23 PM Avagene Moore:Thanks. David Crews. 01:18:25 PM David Crews:Does the Polish government have a disaster response ageny other than the Flood Ministry? 01:18:42 PM BurtWallrich:? 01:19:09 PM david butler:No. And that was one of the problems . . . disaster response and recovery were not institutionalized, at least that I could see . . . 01:19:35 PM david butler:In fact, one of our recommendations was that more formal mechanisms be permanently established. 01:19:41 PM Avagene Moore:Burt, your question, please. 01:19:46 PM BurtWallrich:I am not happy about FEMA's decision to rely on 800 number rather than DACs to handle information about and registration for recovery programs. There are populations that don't handle business via telephone very effectively. 01:20:10 PM Avagene Moore:We have heard that before, Burt. Other questions? 01:20:20 PM Ed Pearce:? 01:20:27 PM Avagene Moore:Ed, please. 01:20:50 PM Amy Sebring:? 01:20:54 PM Ed Pearce:What involvement with the private sector.. primarily in local recovery... 01:21:49 PM Ed Pearce:Were companies seen as part of the solution or just another classification of victim? 01:21:57 PM David Crews:? 01:22:15 PM david butler:There was *a lot* of involvement of the private sector - in fact, the participants in the second flood fair were primarily private vendors, building supply companies, etc. . . 01:22:29 PM Terry Birkenstock:? 01:22:58 PM david butler:the Urban Institute felt strongly that private enterprise - the market - be incorporated and encouraged as much as possible. 01:23:02 PM Avagene Moore:Amy, submit your question please. 01:23:09 PM Amy Sebring:I may have missed something due to my loss of connection, but was international relief community involved with response/recovery to floods? 01:23:48 PM david butler:Absolutely. There were any number of NGOs involved - the Red Cross, CARITAS, etc. . . 01:24:09 PM david butler:And they were all represented both at the flood fairs and in the information databases that were developed. 01:24:13 PM Avagene Moore:David C, you are up next. 01:24:15 PM David Crews:Since this flooding crossed national boundaries are there any efforts for mutual aid and information sharing across those boundaries? 01:24:48 PM david butler:I know there were some, but frankly don't know the specifics . . . 01:25:14 PM david butler:I know of one joint meeting that was held. But I don't know how much other cooperation was pursued . . . 01:25:44 PM david butler:I suspect with the increasing strength of the EU, that more transborder cooperation will happen (at least I hope so). 01:25:49 PM Avagene Moore:Terry, your question, please. 01:26:00 PM Terry Birkenstock:I may have missed this during my loss of connection also but 01:26:05 PM BurtWallrich:? 01:26:09 PM Terry Birkenstock:How was the system promoted/advertised and 01:26:28 PM Terry Birkenstock:do you have any lessens learned to share? 01:26:59 PM david butler:It was advertised on national radio and television, in national and local newspapers, and through fliers locally in Opole . . . 01:27:33 PM david butler:In that regard, I think one lesson was certainly that promotion of such systems is *key* . . . 01:27:49 PM david butler:(too often we assume that if we build it they will come . . . 01:28:09 PM david butler:Well, they might - but they come a lot faster if they know its there.) 01:28:28 PM Avagene Moore:OK, Burt -- your turn. 01:28:30 PM BurtWallrich:Los Angeles County is just beginning work to create a "Critical External Services Council" made up of nonprofits, business and government. The primary function of the council will be exchange of information across sectors for mitigation and recovery. 01:28:36 PM Peter Devenis:? 01:28:51 PM Avagene Moore:Peter. 01:29:21 PM Peter Devenis:Is there any opportunity to expand this system for use as a Flood Warning system in addition to recovery? 01:29:31 PM david butler:Regarding Burt's comments - I think it's important to document all these developments so that others can benefit from them . . . 01:30:15 PM david butler:As for Peter's question: Flood warning seems to be a much different domain. Our suggestion was that the system be expanded . . . 01:30:40 PM david butler:to include other disasters and that it be used as an educational system in non-disaster times. 01:30:53 PM David Crews:? 01:30:57 PM Ann Willis:? 01:30:58 PM Avagene Moore:David. 01:30:59 PM Amy Sebring:? 01:31:14 PM David Crews:Do they have stream forecasting and a guage system. 01:31:44 PM david butler:I believe they do, but again, I can't really talk authoritatively . . . 01:32:29 PM david butler:but again, these floods were monsters - perhaps something like the Mississippi floods of 1993 in scope. Warning systems weren't the issue - unless you consider long-term warning. 01:32:38 PM Avagene Moore:Ann, your turn. 01:33:26 PM Ann Willis:How did you determine what information was needed? Was the U.S. model appropriate for the Poland situation? 01:34:06 PM david butler:Good question. The scope of information was defined, in part, by the participants at that first roundtable . . . 01:34:38 PM david butler:then a subgroup of NGOs and a few government people further defined what would be included. . . 01:35:09 PM david butler:U.S. models were helpful, but obviously not as helpful as far as content . . . 01:35:29 PM david butler:in that respect, each info system must be tailored to the individual situation. 01:35:36 PM Avagene Moore:Amy, please submit your question. 01:35:37 PM Amy Sebring:I believe there is a Disaster Management framework in the European Community effort, however, I wonder if NATO could not also be useful in this area? Any participation that you were aware of David? 01:36:15 PM david butler:Hmmm . . . Poland had *just* entered NATO when I arrived . . . 01:36:26 PM David Crews:? 01:36:32 PM david butler:so the country was not a member at the time of the floods . . . 01:37:11 PM david butler:However, I am aware that NATO is becoming more and more active in disaster issues. How they participate in response, I don't really know. 01:37:16 PM Avagene Moore:David C, go ahead please. 01:37:18 PM David Crews:How about the United Nations? 01:38:17 PM John Crosby:? 01:38:33 PM david butler:Frankly, I don't remember to what extent DHA (OCHA) was involved. Again, the principle relief agencies seemed to be the Red Cross and CARITAS. 01:38:37 PM Avagene Moore:John, you are next, please. 01:38:47 PM John Crosby:What services were most requested? 01:39:08 PM BurtWallrich:? 01:39:30 PM david butler:A wide range. I'll see if I can get statistics from the UI office . . . 01:39:54 PM david butler:but most questions were, of course, about financial aid available to rebuild. 01:39:59 PM Avagene Moore:Go ahead, Burt. 01:40:12 PM BurtWallrich:Referring back to David's early remark about the need for counseling, I hope everyone is familiar with the work coming out of the CDC in Atlanta about the long-term mental health impacts of disaster. Their statistical studies validate our experience. 01:40:59 PM Avagene Moore:We have a little more time, folks. Questions for David? 01:41:30 PM Avagene Moore:An observation if I may, David ... 01:41:30 PM David Crews:? 01:41:39 PM Isabel McCurdy:/ 01:41:39 PM Amy Sebring:? 01:41:44 PM Avagene Moore:We will take David's question. 01:41:58 PM David Crews:Are you designing an Internet Site for the Flood Ministry? 01:42:28 PM david butler:Nope - I don't speak Polish. 01:42:31 PM Avagene Moore:Isabel, I assume you have a question or comment. 01:42:36 PM Isabel McCurdy:Was there a financial aid fund available? 01:43:06 PM david butler:In fact, the government had just announced a plan (a somewhat complicated system of loans) . . . 01:43:23 PM david butler:immediately before the second flood fair . . . 01:43:41 PM david butler:part of the job of the information system was to elucidate this program. 01:43:41 PM Ann Willis:? 01:43:46 PM Avagene Moore:Amy, please submit your question. 01:43:48 PM Amy Sebring:So, David ... are you going to write a field manual for this? That's probably what is needed to avoid the re- invention situation. 01:44:19 PM david butler:I've helped the Urban Institute write a summary of the project . . . 01:44:42 PM david butler:it's really their project. I should say that I only acted as a consultant . . . 01:45:12 PM david butler:for a brief time. *Most of the work* was really done by two wonderful consultants in Poland . . . 01:45:34 PM david butler:and the NGOs that cooperated on the project. . . 01:46:01 PM david butler:but the UI has documented the project and I've urged them to disseminate their findings . . . 01:46:18 PM Ed Pearce:? 01:46:23 PM david butler:as much as possible. That's one reason that the article about the flood fairs appears in the most recent Observer. 01:46:26 PM David Crews:? 01:46:27 PM Avagene Moore:Ann, you are next, please. 01:46:52 PM Ann Willis:What other types of information were provided, you mentioned agency and vendor info, what else did you include? Did you collect information on the victims themselves? 01:47:34 PM david butler:Some demographic information was collected about users . . . 01:47:56 PM david butler:in part to support a proposal to the Flood Ministry for long-term support. 01:48:00 PM Avagene Moore:Your question, Ed. 01:48:33 PM Avagene Moore:Go ahead, David C. We have lost Ed. 01:48:35 PM David Crews:Did your effort include mitigation besides the response and recovery issues? 01:49:13 PM david butler:Mitigation - in the sense of rebuilding better and more safely - was part of the information . . . 01:49:34 PM david butler:that was one of the things I encouraged. However, the reality, as you know . . . 01:50:01 PM david butler:was that in many cases people just seemed to want to get "back to normal" as soon as possible. 01:50:17 PM Terry Birkenstock:? 01:50:23 PM Avagene Moore:Terry, please. 01:50:41 PM Terry Birkenstock:I think your report would be really helpful to many of us... 01:50:50 PM Terry Birkenstock:Can you provide a contact with the UI 01:51:14 PM Terry Birkenstock:that might be able to provide it to us? 01:51:25 PM david butler:Hmmmm . . . the head of the Warsaw office was . . . 01:52:06 PM david butler:Maris Mikelsons. Maris is now in Washington at the UI Office there. . . 01:52:30 PM david butler:I don't have his address immediately, but I could e-mail it later . . . 01:52:55 PM david butler:or you could just contact the UI Washington office and ask Maris for additional information. 01:53:02 PM Avagene Moore:Our time is about up for today. David, thanks for a great presentation. Thanks to our audience too... 01:53:27 PM Avagene Moore:Tomorrow, Sept 23, 12:00 Noon EDT, we will have a panel discussion --- Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Teams: An Increasingly Important Response Capability? --- with Mark Russo, FEMA R&R Directorate; Fred Krimgold, Virginia Tech; and Dewey Parks, National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR), USAR Virginia Task Force #1. ... 01:53:41 PM Avagene Moore:The transcript of today 01:53:56 PM Avagene Moore:session will be posted next week and it will be a good one... 01:54:23 PM Avagene Moore:If you wish to hang around for a few minutes to thank David, please do... 01:54:38 PM BurtWallrich:Very interesting session. Thank you, David, Avagene and all. 01:54:47 PM Avagene Moore:Is there any other announcements? Amy, do you want to comment on WEBEX briefly? 01:55:39 PM Avagene Moore:I have caught her cold, I am sure. Forgive me, Amy. 01:56:11 PM David Crews:I hope its not an internet virus! 01:56:16 PM Avagene Moore:We are meeting regularly to plan for the WEBEX, hazmat exercise on November 5 ... 01:56:35 PM Avagene Moore:in conjunction with the Virtual Fire & Rescue Expo ... 01:56:46 PM Avagene Moore:We are looking for players ... 01:56:57 PM Avagene Moore:And are taking nominations for such.... 01:57:20 PM Avagene Moore:with some good results thus far. Please stay tuned for more announcements as time goes on.... 01:57:31 PM Avagene Moore:David thanks again. Great job! 01:57:42 PM Isabel McCurdy: David. 01:57:58 PM David Crews:Thanks David! 01:58:10 PM Amy Sebring:Would be happy for David to replicate the invitation for nominations in Disaster Research! 01:58:16 PM Amy Sebring:Thank you very much David. 01:58:28 PM Ed Pearce:Thanks David!! 01:58:34 PM Amy Sebring:Can you put up the URL from the beginning one more time? 01:58:55 PM Avagene Moore:http://www.Colorado.EDU/hazards/o/septo98/septo98a.htm 01:59:00 PM Amy Sebring:Thanks Ava. 01:59:06 PM david butler:Thanks everyone (Amy - it's in the latest issue) 01:59:25 PM Amy Sebring:Great David. Thanks. 01:59:59 PM Avagene Moore:Yes, and the request is on fema.gov. 02:00:20 PM Avagene Moore:We have a lot of first timers with us today. 02:01:02 PM Avagene Moore:I saw John Kihl earlier. 02:01:17 PM Isabel McCurdy:Please update your user profiles. 02:01:33 PM Avagene Moore:Thanks for that reminder, Isabel! 02:01:59 PM JFH:I'm a friend of david butler and I was just observing 02:02:16 PM Amy Sebring:(David, we also included the info re availability of session summaries last week in our Conference Round Up session.) 02:03:08 PM david butler:JFH = James Francis Hopper, my best friend from the first grade (45 years ago). Hi Hop! 02:03:32 PM Amy Sebring:You are very welcome JFH. What a friend! 02:03:41 PM Avagene Moore: Welcome, JFH. Join us again even when David is not speaking. Glad to have you! 02:04:00 PM david butler:Well, I need to scoot. Have to go home and make chicken soup for my sick daughter. Thanks again, everyone. 02:04:53 PM Avagene Moore:Also, greenlee. Where are you from? Affiliation? Bye David B. 02:05:41 PM Avagene Moore:And Musse. Glad to have you both with us today. 02:05:53 PM Terry Birkenstock:That's Dave Greenlee from USGS - he privately told me he had to run to a meeting, so he's not listening at the moment. 02:06:10 PM Isabel McCurdy:Jose. Introduce yourself. 02:06:35 PM Musse:Hi 02:06:39 PM Musse:room, sorry problem in computer 02:06:45 PM bruce c hildebrand:Avagene, I've been somewhat successfully monitoring the chat today-from behind the fire wall! 02:06:47 PM Avagene Moore:We are glad to have him with us. We like to know who is online with us. Want them to feel like they are welcome. 02:07:08 PM Avagene Moore:Good for you, Bruce. How in the world did you accomplish that? 02:07:09 PM Ed Pearce:That's OK Musse, got bounced out three times myself... 02:07:18 PM Musse:yeah 02:07:33 PM Musse:im Director Fire Academy (traslator similar) in Lima, PERU 02:07:57 PM Avagene Moore:Whoa! Wonderful. Thrilled to have you here today. 02:08:11 PM Avagene Moore: Hope you will join us again when you can. 02:08:39 PM Musse:happy see and know a us 02:08:41 PM JFH:Thanks, I know the real butler, he was Davy Crockett in a former life. 02:09:10 PM Amy Sebring:Coonskin cap and all? 02:09:22 PM jkihl:Hello, Avagene 02:09:23 PM Ed Pearce:Does he still wear a coonskin cap? 02:09:26 PM Avagene Moore:Hi, John Kihl. A voice from my past. How are you? 02:09:27 PM JFH:Yep and he even sings 02:09:33 PM David Crews:The guy from the Alamo Amy! 02:09:45 PM bruce c hildebrand: It's still very difficult with the voice-JAWS-program. Just a lot more practice needed. Hope I didn't cause any interruptions. Avagene, I've been somewhat successfully monitoring the chat today-from behind the fire wall! 02:09:46 PM Ed Pearce:You beat me Amy! 02:09:50 PM Musse:Please have ask 02:09:54 PM Avagene Moore:David B takes a lot of kidding. 02:10:16 PM jkihl:Just wanted to get up to speed on what everybody was doing 02:10:18 PM Avagene Moore:Bruce, you didn't disturb us at all. Glad you were able to get in. 02:10:48 PM Avagene Moore:John K, you will have to join us more often since you now know where we are and what's happening here. 02:11:39 PM Ed Pearce:Ask what Musse? 02:11:39 PM Amy Sebring:DaVEE .... DAvy Crockett ... (good thing we don't have audio!) 02:11:50 PM David Crews:Ditto! 02:11:59 PM Musse:Thanx Ed....WEhich is diference in ICS and IMS? 02:12:51 PM Amy Sebring:(Gotta go all. Thanks, and bye for now.) 02:12:53 PM jkihl:I was dropped off during the session with Dave and missed most of it, but it looks like some of the same people who started this effort 02:12:54 PM Musse:we interesithing in aplication in Lima, PERU 02:13:16 PM Ed Pearce:I'm a Corporate contingency planner and would let an EM type answer that one... 02:13:29 PM Avagene Moore:Have you by chance seen or used the Virtual Library, John K? 02:13:55 PM Avagene Moore:Also, does anyone online have quick URLs for Musse regarding ICS and IMS? 02:14:01 PM Musse:Thanx Ed Perace.... 02:14:15 PM Ed Pearce:Musse, are you asking about Incident COmmand System and Incident Management System? 02:14:21 PM Musse:yes 02:14:36 PM Avagene Moore:Musse, give us your email address and we can send you more info, OK? 02:14:50 PM David Crews:There might be some information on www.fema.gov under EMI/Fire Institute especially in their library. 02:14:58 PM Musse:is right Ed, ok...jmusse@yahoo.com..Thanx Avangene 02:15:01 PM jkihl:No, not yet, I was going thru the website and was glad to see that some of lessons that we all learned the hard way the initial development were implemented (grin) 02:15:37 PM Musse:visit FEMA, aditional study CD-ROM Neotec... 02:15:51 PM Musse:over ICS and no see diference..... 02:15:59 PM Avagene Moore:Musse, are you subscribed to any of our Mail Lists? How did you find us today? 02:16:11 PM Musse:equal in Study Guide FFII, Essential University Oklahoma 02:16:19 PM Musse:yes... 02:16:25 PM Ed Pearce:The primary difference is in the application.. 02:16:27 PM Musse:yes Avagene... 02:16:48 PM Avagene Moore:David is back? 02:17:21 PM david butler:Hi - still trying to leave the office, and thought I'd check in one last time. Did I miss much? 02:17:50 PM jkihl:Hello David, I will have to catch up on some the things you are doing 02:17:54 PM Avagene Moore:Did you ever! We can't tell you. 02:18:00 PM Ed Pearce:dbutler in three words or less describe the difference between ICS and IMS 02:18:13 PM david butler:Suppose I'll have to wait for the transcript . . . Hi John. 02:18:54 PM Musse:Ed..ICS have Command, Planing, Finance, Logistic 02:19:04 PM Musse:Operations.... 02:19:18 PM Musse:IMS have 5 mayor activites equal......real confuse 02:19:39 PM bruce c hildebrand: It's still very difficult with the voice-JAWS-program. Just a lot more practice needed. Hope I didn't cause any interruptions. Avagene, I've been somewhat successfully monitoring the chat today-from behind the fire wall! 02:20:02 PM Avagene Moore:You are repeating yourself, Bruce. 02:20:41 PM jkihl:Bruce, it this a voice to text program you are using? 02:21:58 PM bruce c hildebrand:Avagene, I didn't rewrite. Somehow a temporary glitch-the bumpy road to smoother operations, ay? Sorry. 02:22:56 PM Avagene Moore:Folks, this has been interesting and inspiring and fun! I have to sign off to get ready to go to a grandchild's first birthday party. Can't miss that! 02:23:45 PM David Crews:Have a good party! 02:23:55 PM david butler:Bye again. . . and thanks. 02:23:56 PM Avagene Moore:No problem, Bruce. Just glad you are having some success after all your struggles. 02:24:29 PM jkihl:Avagene, I will try to catch up with you later 02:25:47 PM bruce c hildebrand:No. Actually, it's text to voice. Covers any text-sometimes more difficult in a busy multi-window environment. And, of course, no access to graphics or pictures. But it works. 02:26:19 PM bruce c hildebrand:No. Actually, it's text to voice. Covers any text-sometimes more difficult in a busy multi-window environment. And, of course, no access to graphics or pictures. But it works. 02:26:23 PM David Crews:Signing Off. Everyone have a good day! 02:26:29 PM Avagene Moore:OK, John. Thanks everyone. You have been great. Join us tomorrow. Need your support and participation tomorrow as well. Bye now.