Skip to main content

Search

pece_annotation_1474748717

erin_tuttle

I looked into Underwriter Laboratories, as the work that they do is both interesting and important in mitigating future disasters.

The article did not give a definitive answer as to the decided cause of the towers collapse, so I researched the prominent theories. There still exists some controversy on the subject but it is largely believed that a combination of the direction the plane faced upon impact, which allowed the keel beam to destroy several support columns of the building, and the heat form the fire causing thermal expansion of the remaining steel reinforcements, overtaxed the supports which led to a systematic failure of supports on each lower floor.

Finally, I looked at the legal changes after 9/11 to see if there were any laws put into place defining the responsibility and authority of government agencies in the aftermath of a disaster. The laws passed directly in response to 9/11 however only seem to be relating to search, seizure, and detention of suspected terrorists.

pece_annotation_1475020260

erin_tuttle
Annotation of

The system was built to serve organizations and individuals with humanitarian goals. The system gathers data from report, reviews, and users and compiles it into comprehensible information to help inform decision-making for humanitarian concerns. Portions of the app also focus on education and technical support for field researchers looking to collect large quantities of data.

pece_annotation_1476122196

erin_tuttle

The article uses historical statistics to support the claims of physical displacement and the psychological feelings of displacement, as well as accounts of the government programs that were put in place and the public’s lack of faith in the ability of these programs.

pece_annotation_1476641889

erin_tuttle

The main argument is supported through several methods, first the use of demographic statistics on the patients suffering from mental illness after several significant disasters. The experiences of patients with severe mental illness are also presented as supporting evidence of the complicated causes of disaster related mental illness. Finally the article includes data and theories presented in several other papers to provide a basis for the claims of the authors regarding the future studies of mental illness and the support systems that would be ideal in minimizing the trauma of a disaster.

pece_annotation_1476645904

erin_tuttle

The group works within the US community, where there is a strong sense of pride for the military and respect for the sacrifice of those serving. This translates to the thinking of the organization which includes free care to those in need, an attempt to form a strong sense of community among its members, and honorable burial for veterans.

pece_annotation_1478398912

erin_tuttle

The study does not directly address vulnerable populations, but rather focuses on including all relevant populations involved in a disaster including those reluctant to take surveys or be interviewed, or communities that are not often studies or may have had little to no exposure in order to maintain the proper control group.

pece_annotation_1472758116

erin_tuttle

The Committee proposed expert groups to assess the practices used within the nuclear industry of its member states as well as evaluate and monitor potential issues. This increased level of oversight of the nuclear industry may lead to tension within the industry as technical professionals must balance the international oversight with the national security aspects of any nuclear program.

pece_annotation_1479070458

erin_tuttle

Although the film was touching, I could not avoid feeling that this was not an entirely true representation of the acceptance process for the patients and families portrayed. The bravery shown by terminal patients is humbling, and watching them make the most difficult decisions possible shows only the strength of human spirit. The fact that there was a camera present would however have changed the outcome, and I am not convinced that the patients and family members would have been willing to show their anger and grief to the same extent. This is seen in one scene where the wife of a terminal patient began to cry and turned away from the camera until she was able to compose herself again.