Classification of urban areas by characteristics of power load curves

Modern societies heavily rely on electric power. These societies suffer functional damage due to power outage when natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons strike. As the first step for developing a new methodology for estimating the effects of power outage on city functions considering the characteristics of the area, and time and duration of outage, a database is made which consists of regional characteristics and electric power demand in the Tokyo Metropolis using geographic information system (GIS). Power demand is examined as a function of time, season and region. Through the analysis, it is found that there are several typical curves and that classification of the areas by such typical load curves might be possible. With a statistical technique, four elemental load curves of residential, office, industrial and entertainment components are calculated. Assuming that every load curve is a combination of the four elemental curves, the contribution rate of the four elements in each area is calculated. Using the contribution rate, the areas could be classified considering the characteristics of their load curves. The results show that this classification can be applied to the estimation of the effects of power outage on various city functions considering the time and duration of outage, and the characteristics of the area

Integrating private and public resources for effective risk - based emergency response

The use of risk in emergency response planning in the private sector is becoming more widespread at itis increasingly required by regulations and recommended by key industru standards. The public sectir is also utilizing such methodologies as it strives for more prioritezed administration of finite resources for programs and equipment. As the benefits of risk - based emergency response are embraced, it should be a catalyst for the private and public sectors to interact more closely in integrating their resources for an effective and economic response. In this paper, recent progress in the application of risk - based emergency response is presented. A case study is used to illustrate the potential effectiveness of integrated public and private risk - based response planning before the numerous benefits of such synergistic interaction are presented (AU)

The public sector response to the 1990 Iben Browning earthquake prediction

During 1990 citizens, goverments , and private industry in the Central Unites States were concerned about the effects of an unofficial earthquakes prediction made by Ibem Browning. The lack of a timely and public rebuttal of the earthquake prediction by the scientific community led to unnecessary efforts by local, state, and federal governments to respond to the public's demand for information on the validity on the prediction and howto prepared for the predicted earthquake. The prediction increased the level of earthquake awareness and short - term preparedness in the central U.S.; however, these advances may have been made at the expense of scientific credibility and geverment efficacy (AU)

Preparación y atención en desastres : Experiencia de trabajo con el sector hidroeléctrico

Los programas de prevención, atención y recuperación de desastres en las empresas deben ser laborados, conocidos y practicados por todo el personal vinculado y contratista. La primera parte del trabajo describe las experiencias adquiridas en el montaje y funcionamiento de los programas en las instituciones del estado, se resaltan los puntos claves para asimilar de la experiencia. Con el análisis de los factores de éxito y fracaso, se expone la construcción de una metodología participativa para la organización de los programas de prevención y atención de desastres, partiendo de la misión y objetivos de la empresa. Se hace énfasis en superar la etapa de los grupos operativos y pasar a los procesos de planeación y gestión con el nivel estratégico y técnico de las instituciones.(AU)

Risk - planners at work

In the world of commerce and industry there lurks the spectreof risk. If your organization is unprepared, the outcome of a major crisis could be the demise of your operation. A salutary statistic reports that some 50 per cent of businesses affected by a major fire never recover (AU)