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Research

Principal Investigator: Thomas Kirsch (JHO-CEPAR)

Investigators:

Project Objectives:

Objective 1: Define and identify the role of informal networks in disaster response:

Define ‘informal’ networks and describe their current role in disaster response.
Assess the current work from academia, government, the private sector and NGOs regarding ‘informal network’ surge response to disasters.

Review of academic literature to identify ‘informal’ groups and their role. Particular attention to post-Katrina literature.
Review of existing government (HRSA, DHS, PHS, etc) and non-government (business) publications.

Identify informal networks of citizen, FBO, CBO and business–based surge capacity for disaster response.
Develop standardized survey tools to assess the capacity and needs of the informal networks.

Objective 2: Describe the role of the informal healthcare response to Katrina/Rita.

Describe the medical surge response characteristics following Katrina.

Telephone conferences and/or meetings with the American Medical Association, American Hospital Association and American College of Emergency Physicians to describe the role of their members in the response to Katrina.
Telephone conferences and/or meetings with the Medical Reserve Corps and NDMS to describe the role of their members in the response to Katrina.

Objective 3: Describe the role of FBOs in disaster response.

Contact national religious organizations to discuss their role, prior activities and needs.
Literature review of FBO response in general and to Katrina/Rita.
Obtain information on pre-existing federal and state Faith Base Initiatives, including those within the DHS.
Contact Louisiana and Mississippi FBOs to describe their response to Katrina/Rita.
Discussions with the ARC regarding their experience with faith-based shelters and volunteers.

Objective 4: Develop survey tools to assess informal networks’ desire, capacity and needs to respond to a disaster.