SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION
CMNS 456-4

COMMUNICATION TO MITIGATE DISASTERS

Prerequisite:

One of CMNS230, 253 or 353. Admission is by wait list kept by Lucie Menkveld in Communication (291-3520; menkveld@sfu.ca).

Overview:

The increasing complexity of societies and growing specialization in hazard management clearly demonstrates that no authority or discipline can identify and address all of the significant consequences of hazards. This applies whether hazards be natural (earthquakes, extreme weather events, etc.), human-induced (such as nuclear and hazardous chemical accidents), or the interaction of both. The impact of hazards cuts across economic, social and political divisions in society so that the adequacy of the cumulative response is greatly influenced by the degree to which proactive as well as reactive action can be effectively integrated and optimized. Successful integration of hazard reduction efforts, however, depends on the ability of organizations and individuals involved in all phases of the disaster management process (prevention, preparedness, response, recovery/reconstruction) to work together to develop and implement solutions to commonly-recognized problems. In this regard, key factors in effective mitigation are the information and communication infrastructures that contribute to building knowledge about hazards and the interpretive processes which contribute to the formulation of options for collective action.
Over the course of the past decade, tremendous changes to the global communication infrastructure have taken place, including the popular uptake of the Internet, the staggering growth and plummeting costs of mobile telecommunications, and the implementation of advanced space-based remote sensing and satellite communication systems. These new technologies have begun to transform the field of disaster management with an ambitious, if not vague, promise of enhancing planning and reducing loss of life and property through improved communications. In effect, two major developments have taken place within the last decade: a conceptual shift in disaster management toward more holistic and long-term risk reduction strategies, and a communication revolution that has increased dramatically both the accessibility of information and the functionality of communication technology for disaster management. While these shifts hold great promise for significantly reducing the impact of disasters, many issues remain to be addressed or resolved. These include risk management and sustainable development, emergency telecommunications policy and appropriate technology transfer. Drawing on some of these pressing issues, this course will introduce students to disaster management in the Canadian context and the changing role of telecommunications in emergency preparedness. The course will comprise an overview of government and non-government organizations responsible for emergency and disaster planning and management in Canada; the special role of communication and information systems in disaster management and policy issues affecting their use; and the potential role that new communication and information technologies can play in enhancing information gathering, interpretation and exchange in support of research and disaster management practices. This course will also include guest speakers, in-class demonstrations, on-line use of Internet systems and possible local field trips.

Readings:

No required textbooks. Course readings will be made available at the bookstore and in class.

Grading Distribution: (subject to revision with notice)

20% - seminar presentation
80% - two assignments

The School expects that the grades awarded in this course will bear some reasonable relation to established university-wide practices with respect to both levels and distribution of grades. In addition, the School will follow Policy T10.02 with respect to "Intellectual Honesty," and "Academic Discipline" (see the current Calendar, General Regulations Section).

Seminar Topics:

- Introduction to the course content and perspective.
- Introduction to natural hazards, emergency and disaster planning--general overview.
- Federal, provincial and local government responsibilities and programs.
- International disaster management programs; the role of the U.N. and non-U.N. agencies; the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and the Tampere Declaration on Disaster Communications.
- Emergency communications planning.
- Emergency telecommunications services.
- Advances in communication technology and the development of new disaster management information networks.
- Table top exercise.
- Summary and Review.