Ph.D. Scholarship opportunities on urban resilience. May 2018

Ph.D. Scholarship opportunities on urban resilience

Any inquiry, please contact directly to Prof. David Sanderson david.sanderson@unsw.edu.au 

More at: https://www.2025.unsw.edu.au/apply/scientia-phd-scholarships/building-resilience-urban-disasters-low-income-pacific-neighbourhoods

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Pacific Island countries are fast-urbanisation, with unplanned, informal low-income settlements rapidly growing in size. Such growth increases the risk of disaster from natural hazards, which is worsened by climate change. To combat this, resilience has been widely adopted across the world, not least in Sustainable Development Goal 11 (‘the urban SDG’). 

This PhD concerns the practical application of resilience, including its policy implications, in low-income settlements in the Pacific. The work will link with current activities at UNSW. Key to the PhD will be employing multi-disciplinary approaches, such as social enterprise, urban design, social science and development.

 The ideal candidate will possess a combination of research and practical experience. They will need experience of qualitative data collection and analysis and of conducting research in different cultural contexts to enable the collection of data in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner. A good first degree in a relevant subject is needed. Ideally, they will also have had some practical experience of working in urban low-income settlements in the Pacific region.

UNSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
Telephone +61 2 9385 1000  |   Email unsw2025@unsw.edu.au

Next Generation Leaders. STE(A)M: Electrical Engineering. Explain 4 Major Components of this device. May 2018

Next Generation Leaders (Middle or High School, College\University Level):

1.  Describe and tell the function of four (4) major components of  from
          the photos of the attached device?

2.  Resiliency and Environmental points
    a.  Step-up or Step-down transformer?
    b.  How would you properly dispose of this device?
    c.  Can any components be recycled back into a production\manufacturing system for reuse?
    d.  Of the four (4) major components from Question 1 above, on average what elements are
          these components comprised of, and  from where (location, Nation, etc.) on average are
          are they mined from?

Points:
   Question 1.................50 points
   Question 2.................50 points
                     (a)  ...10
                     (b) ....10
                     (c) ....15
                     (d) ....15
                       ------------------------
                Total............100 points


BEMA International

2018 Disaster Relief Funding. Caribbean Donations. Know where your money is being spent. CDEMA EAF

Donations, and giving to communities:

As the 2018 hurricane season approaches in the Caribbean, and addressing disasters and crisis in other communities globally.  Always consider the organization that you are giving humanitarian financial assistance.  Ensure that you've investigated and research the organization and the actual 'ACTIONABLE' work doing in communities.

Those organizations that truly need the funding directly are there now in the community working tirelessly, and on limited funds that will still be there when the crisis arises. 

To our members and friends in the Caribbean I endorse the Caribbean Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) as a resource to receive funds for communities in need throughout the Caribbean when the crisis and disaster strikes for both short and long term recovery.  I recommend to our Relief & Recovery membership category members to ensure accountability and transparency of funds to communities be provided to the CDEMA EAF.

I attended the 2017 CDEMA Conference in Nassau, Bahamas and commended Ron Jackson, Executive Director on ensuring the community in need received the funds at the lowest level.

CDEMA has been preparing thru education & training all member nations of the agency for the upcoming hurricane season, and ongoing climate change events in small island nations. 

Support your local organization, support organizations that are contributing now and in times of need when the disaster strikes.  For our members in the Caribbean, support CDEMA and the CDEMA EAF.

Sincerely.

Charles D. Sharp
CEO

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Nassau, Bahamas, December 8th, 2017 (CDEMA) – The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), presented cheques totaling US $140,000 to the hurricane impacted countries of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Both territories received US $70,000 each to assist with further relief and recovery efforts post hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The presentation was made to the countries during the general plenary session on Advancing School Safety in the Caribbean at the 10th staging of the Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management, which is being held at the Melia Nassau Hotel, The Bahamas on December 4th – 9th, 2017.

The cheque donation to both BVI and TCI were made possible by the monetary contributions received through the CDEMA’s Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF), which was launched via an online donation platform as well as direct deposits during the response and relief operation phase for both Irma and Maria. Donations were received from individuals, companies and governments. Representatives from both territories expressed deep appreciation by thanking CDEMA and all donors for the overwhelming support to help recover and rebuild after the widespread destruction caused by the catastrophic hurricanes.

The 10th edition of the Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) is being held under the theme “The Road to Resilience – Check Point 2017: Building Resilience through Partnerships”. Over 250 delegates from across the Caribbean and the world gather to participate in discussions on disaster management and climate change issues affecting the region. It is hoped that the conference will contribute to the enhancement of resilient capacities and partnerships to fight climate change and strengthen comprehensive disaster management activities going forward.

For further information, please contact:

Clive Murray
Communication and Education Specialist
CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA)
Resilience Way, Lower Estate
St. Michael
BARBADOS
Tel #: (246) 434-4880
Fax #: (246) 271-3660
Email: clive.murray@cdema.org

TSA announces new members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee May 2018

TSA announces new members of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee

National Press Release
WASHINGTON - Transportation Security Administration Administrator David P. Pekoske announced 31 members to serve on the Aviation Security Advisory Committee (ASAC), which provides recommendations for improving aviation security methods, equipment and procedures.
“The Aviation Security Advisory Committee plays a vital role in helping TSA focus on risk-based security,” said Pekoske. “I thank the outgoing, current and newly appointed members of the committee for their service and dedication to helping TSA strengthen its layered approach to aviation security.”
The ASAC, a statutory committee under P.L. 113-238, enhances TSA’s security posture through consultation with key partners on aviation security matters, including on the development, refinement, and implementation of policies, programs, rulemaking, and security directives pertaining to aviation security.

The following members will represent the 19 mandated membership categories on the committee:

Air Carriers
• Paul Doell, National Air Carrier Association
• Randy Harrison, Delta Air Lines, Inc.
• Craig Lowe, Airlines for America
• Matthew Vaughan, International Air Transport Association

All-Cargo Air Transportation
• Steve Alterman, Cargo Airlines Association
• Roger Libby, DP DHL - Americas
• Gary Wade, Atlas Air

Indirect Air Carriers
• Brandon Fried, Airforwarders Association

Labor Organizations Representing Air Carrier Employees
• Bill Cason, Coalition of Airline Pilots Association
• Joe DePete, Air Line Pilots Association
• Justin Madden, Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association
• Chris Witkowski, Association of Flight Attendants – CWA

Labor Organizations Representing Transportation Security Officers
• David Borer, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO

Labor Organizations Representing Employees of Airport Construction and Maintenance Contractors
• Michael Mayes, Transport Workers Union of America, AFL-CIO

Aircraft Manufacturers
• Jens Hennig, General Aviation Manufacturers Association

Airport Operators
• Colleen Chamberlain, American Association of Airport Executives
• Michele Freadman, Massachusetts Port Authority
• Cedric Johnson, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

General Aviation
• Joseph Dalton, NetJets Aviation, Inc.
• Nobuyo A. K. Sakata, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Privacy Organizations
• Kenneth Mortensen, Attorney at Law, former Associate Deputy Attorney General, Privacy & Civil Liberties, Department of Justice; former Deputy Chief Privacy Officer, Department of Homeland Security

Travel Industry
• Lorraine Howerton, U.S. Travel Association
Airport-Based Businesses
• John McGraw, National Air Transportation Association

Businesses that Conduct Security Operations at Airports
• Chris Bidwell, Airports Council International – North America

Aeronautical Repair Stations
• Christian Klein, Aeronautical Repair Station Association

Passenger Advocacy Groups
• Daniel Rutenberg, The International Airline Passengers Association

Aviation Security Technology Industry
• Scott Gray, Leidos, Inc.

Victims of Terrorist Acts Against Aviation
• Glenn Johnson, Victims of Pan Am Flight 103
• Matthew Ziemkiewicz, National Air Disaster Foundation

Law Enforcement
• Jason Wallis, Port of Portland Police Department
Airport Construction and Maintenance Contractors
• TJ Schulz, Airport Consultants Council

TSA is transitioning to staggered membership terms, with approximately one-half of the members serving one-year terms and the other half serving two-year terms.  In the following year and thereafter, all appointments will be for two-year terms.

The ASAC was established in 1989 in the wake of the crash of Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Visit our website for more information on ASAC. 

The Transportation Security Administration was created to strengthen the security of the nation's transportation systems and ensure the freedom of movement for people and commerce. TSA uses a risk-based strategy and works closely with transportation, law enforcement and intelligence communities to set the standard for excellence in transportation security.

For more information about TSA, please visit our website at tsa.gov.

Is it really needed? Transfers of Military Equipment to Police. May 2018. RAND Corporation

Is this transfer of military equipment to your jurisdiction needed in your community?

Is there a threat in your community for such force to address normal everyday police and community interactions in our community?

Get involved.  Question.  Attend budget, and council meetings for safety, and law enforcement policy, equipment, and other important issues in our community.

Is it really needed in your community.

BEMA International

RAND research and commentary on the issues that matter most May 24, 2018

Photo by Florence County North Carolina Sheriff's Department

Transfers of Military Equipment to Police There's a Pentagon program that transfers excess military equipment to America's law enforcement agencies. Items include everything from desks to rifles to airplanes. Because of the sensitive nature of some of this equipment, the program has long been the subject of scrutiny. This has intensified in light of recent events, including the 2014 protests in Ferguson, Missouri. A new RAND report finds that this program is efficient, effective, and responsive to oversight. But these attributes are unlikely to change perceptions that the program contributes to the militarization of police. Read more »

Trauma. PTSD.. May 2018

View it in your browser.

Volume 14, Issue 1 The Effects of Trauma on First Responders Reports of natural and human-caused disasters are ever present throughout our country. We hear the stories of seemingly insurmountable challenges faced by families, neighbors, businesses, communities, and sometimes entire states or territories. The one constant we can rely on before, during, and after a disaster is the support and service given by first responders. But what do first responders need for their own recovery from traumatic events? This issue of The Dialogue from SAMHSA’s Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) highlights the challenges first responders experience throughout all phases of disaster response—the visible and obvious and the veiled. The authors provide insight into the unique culture of the first responder community. This awareness is significant to providing effective behavioral health services in a manner that is valuable to and accepted by first responders. What have you found to be essential to the care of your first responder team or community? Are there important lessons learned from your field experiences that could be highlighted by SAMHSA DTAC in future issues of this newsletter? Please share your experiences via email to DTAC@samhsa.hhs.gov. Selected reader comments will be printed in a future edition of The Dialogue. Download the full issue [PDF – 1.04MB] Issue Highlights Staying Fit To Protect and To Serve: A Police Officer Talks About Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) A police officer shares his story about developing PTSD after being shot in the line of duty. He discusses the physical and psychological pain of PTSD while relaying the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms and the value of talking through issues, especially with others with similar experiences. Perception Is Reality for Disaster Survivors A rescue specialist with Massachusetts Task Force 1 (MATF-1) relates the importance of first responder training and self-care to better manage survivor reactions to disaster. Including a behavioral health professional as part of the response team is discussed as a proactive approach to fostering team resiliency. Psychological Trauma in First Responders Following Disaster Response The author discusses first responder care, as part of disaster planning, to address the unintended mental burden that can develop from long-term exposure to disaster response. Understanding the culture of the responder community is key to identifying and providing effective behavioral health support services.  How Do First Responders Experience and Cope With Trauma? The author provides a description of possible physiological and psychological responses that first responders may experience during a traumatic event. Coping mechanisms and ways to foster resilience as a first responder are also discussed. About The Dialogue The Dialogue, a quarterly technical assistance journal, is an arena for professionals in the disaster behavioral health field to share information, resources, trends, solutions to problems, and accomplishments. Read previous issues of The Dialogue. The views, opinions, and content expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). We value your input. Please complete a brief survey about this SAMHSA DTAC product.

Water Security: Global Water Partnership. May 2018. Improving Water Governance

Improving water governance in Botswana

GWP Southern Africa played a major role in Botswana's development of a national Integrated Water Resources Management and Water Efficiency (IWRM/WE) Plan. The creation of GWP Botswana and its involvement in the process was vital to make it a success, allowing the government to access stakeholders from all levels of society, says Bogadi Mathangwane, Director of the Botswana Department of Water Affairs.
Read more >>