Contents

Preface

Chapter 1

Problems of Fire Safety in the Modern World

Abstract

1. Fire Risks -An Introduction

2. Safety Problems at the Present Time and Types of Dangers

3. Triad Danger - Risk – Safety

4. About the Estimation of Risks

5. Fire Risks and Their Types

6. Fire Risk as a Function of Multiple Variables

7. Management of Fire Risks

8. Algorithms of Fire Safety in Any Kind of Protection Objects

9. Fire Risks in Large Cities

10. 100 Years Development of Fire Risks in Cities

11. Fire Situation in the Ancient World

12. Distribution of Fires by Continents of the Earth

13. Reconstruction of the Fire Situation in History

14. Forecasts Concerning Fire Situation in the Future

15. Comments to Forecasts of Fire Risks

16. Forecasts on the Future Fire Situation World-Wide

Conclusion

References

Chapter 2

The Application of Risk Governance in Offshore Installations

Abstract

1. Introduction

1.1. The Notion of Disaster

1.2. Uncertainty of a Disaster

1.3. Estimation of Risk

1.4. Risks of the Offshore Industry

2. Risk Governance

2.1. General

2.2. Risk Governance in the Off-Shore Industry

3. Health, Safety and Rescue Legislation in the Offshore Oil Industry

3.1. General

3.2. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

3.3. The International Maritime Organization (IMO)

3.5. Helidecks Regime

4. Safety and Rescue (SAR) in Offshore Platforms

4.1. General

4.2. Governmental Agencies

4.3. International Organizations

4.4. Institutions Involved

4.5. Private Companies

4.6. Accident Data Bases

5. The Evolution of the Health and Safety Framework at Offshore Hydrocarbon Installations in the United Kingdom, Norway and Greece

5.1. General

5.2. UK

5.3. Norway

5.4. Greece: Risk Governance Challenges

6. Epilogue

References

Chapter 3

Man-Made Disasters, Environmental Crises, and the Health Impacts of Disasters

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Background

2.1. The Commencement of the Incident

2.2. Industry Characteristics

2.3. Description of the Disaster

3. Natural or Man-Made Disaster?

3.1. Underground Pipeline Management

3.2. Emergency Response

4. Crisis Control and Disaster Management

Appendix

References

Chapter 4

An Alternative Perspective for Addressing Mass Casualty Incidents in Extreme Events

Abstract

Introduction

Know-How Domain

Casualty Distribution Domain

EMS Transportation Domain

MCIM Cloud Domain

On-Scene Safety Domain

Conclusion

References

Chapter 5

Large-Scale Fire Incidents in Recycling Plants: Lessons Learned from Two Indicative Case Studies and Future Needs

Abstract

Introduction

Fire Incidents at Recycling Plants: Further Understanding the Process of Plastics Combustion

Short- and Long-Term Impacts from Exposure to the Resulted Smoke Plume in Case of Fire Incidents at Recycling Plants

Means of Protection against Fire, Smoke and Thermal Exposure in Recycling Plant Fires

Preparedness and Respose Planning against Large-Scale Fires at Recycling Plants

Indicative Case Studies of Fire Incidents at Recycling Plants in Greece and the UK

Recycling Plant in Aspropyrgos (Greece)

Jayplas Recycling Center (UK)

Conclusion and Discussion

References

Chapter 6

Nanotechnology Applications for Biological Threat Detection

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. General Overview of Bioagents

3. Historical Review

4. Current Methods for Bioagent Detection

5. NPS in Sensory Research

6. Biological Threat Detection Based on GNPS

7. Other Nano-Applications Used for Biological Threat Detection

8. Nano-Applications against Chemical Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction

Conclusion

References

Chapter 7

Modeling the Process of Fire and Rescue Services Activities

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Theoretical Foundations of the Modeling of Complex Systems

2.1. The Process of Urbanization in the Modern World

2.2. The Level and Quality of Life in Cities

2.3. Provision of Safety in the Cities

2.4. Fire and Rescue Service in the Cities and the Problems of Their Organizational Design

2.5. The Statistical Study of Fire and Rescue Services Activities in the Cities

2.5.1. Modeling of Destructive Events in Cities

2.5.2. Modeling of Temporal Characteristics of the Fire and Rescue Services Activities

2.6. The Analytical Model of the Fire and Rescue Services Activities

2.7. Determination of Fire Stations in the Cities

2.8. Computer Simulation Systems for Long Term Master Planning in City Fire and Rescue Services

2.8.1. Theoretical Basis for Development of Simulation System

2.8.2. General Description of Simulation System

2.8.3. Capabilities of the Simulation System

2.8.4. Adaptation of System to Territory and Fire and Rescue Service

2.8.5. Application of the System for Different Fire and Rescue Services and Territories

2.8.5.1. Elaboration of Long-Term Plans of Emergency Services’ Development

2.8.5.2. Determining the Optimal Headcount and Personnel Duty Rosters

2.8.5.3. Assessment of Location and Patrolling by Emergency Services Providing Assistance on Highways

2.8.5.4. Determining Rational Locations of Firefighting Railway Trains

2.8.5.5. Expert Analysis and Assessment of Emergency Services’ Capabilities

2.8.5.6. Training Emergency Services’ Personnel

3. Simulation of Operations in a Model City

3.1. Description of the Model City

3.2. Operational Situation in the Model City

3.2.1. Distribution of Calls by Structure

3.2.2. Distribution of Call Categories by Years

3.2.3. Distribution of Call Categories by Time

3.2.4. Time Intervals of Fire and Rescue Interventions

3.2.5. Distribution of Calls by Area

3.2.6. About Use of Fire Brigade Resources

3.2.7. Distribution of Number of Victims

3.3. Simulation Scenarios

3.3.1. Number of Fire Stations

3.3.2. Number of Fire and Rescue Vehicles

3.3.3. Technical Cancellations or Refusals

Conclusion

References

Chapter 8

Safety Aspects of Façade Fires: Novel Risks and Challenges Posed by High-Rise Buildings

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Façade Fires in High-Rise Buildings

3. Physical Mechanisms Related to Façade Fires

4. Research Activities Related to Facade Fires

5. Commercial Façade Cladding Systems and Materials

6. Legislative Requirements Regarding Façade Fires

Concluding Remarks

References

Chapter 9

Tools for Analyzing Risks from Human Exposure to Chemical Environments: The Case of Exposure to Smoke Components During Forest or Other Field Fires

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Methods

2.1. Monitoring the Air Quality in Open Field Fires

2.2. Breath Analysis for Monitoring the Smoke Exposure

3. Results

3.1 CKIs for Monitoring the Air Quality in Forest or Other Field Fires

3.1.1. The Case of Forest Fires

3.1.2. The Case of Other Field Fires

3.2. Design of an Experimental Protocol for Monitoring the Profiles of the Exogenous VOCs in the Exhaled Air of Firefighters After Their Exposure to Forest Fire Smoke Components

3.2.1. Characteristics of the Volunteers’ Group

3.2.2. Exposure Assessment and Measurements

3.2.3. Breath Sampling Procedure

3.2.4. Personal Breathing Zone Measurements

3.2.5. Laboratory Equipment and Analytical Method

3.2.6. Ethical Issues

4. Discussion

References

Chapter 10

Using an Augmented Reality Application for Childhood Education in Natural Disasters

Abstract

Introduction

Background

Augmented Reality in Education

Comics in Education

Children Education in Natural Disasters

Proposed Approach for Natural Disasters Education

Implementation

Experiment and Results

Instruments

Procedure

Results

Discussion and Conclusion

References

Chapter 11

The Study of Smoke Distribution Conditions and CO from Large Forest Fires

Abstract

1. Introduction

1.1. History

1.2. The Production of Toxic Substances

1.2.1. Carcinogenic and Toxic Traces of Metals

1.2.2. The Physical Characteristics of Smoke

1.2.3. Smoke and Visibility Relationship

1.2.4. Smoke Production

1.2.5. Combustion

1.2.6. Fuel and Combustion Chemistry

1.2.7. Parts of the Forest Fire

1.2.8. Fire Intensity

1.2.9. The Transfer of Heat

1.3. The Burning of Biomass

1.3.1. Fuel Humidity

1.4. Propagation and Transfer

1.4.1. The Development of Tulips

1.4.2. Diffusion

1.5. Transfer and Dispersion

1.6. The Stability of the Atmosphere

1.7. Consequences - Effects

1.8. The Forest - Forest Fires in Greece

1.8.1. Impact on the Environment and the Climate

1.8.2. Factors Influencing the Spread of Fires

2. Methods

2.1. Purpose of Study - Simulation Tools

2.2. Description of Simulation Models

2.2.1. General Characteristics of the RAMS Atmospheric Model

2.2.2. Description of the HYPACT Model

2.3. Adjustment of Numerical Models

2.3.1. Parameters for Implementing the Medium Scale Model

2.3.2. Parameters for the Implementation of the Lagrangian Model

2.4. Model Results

2.4.1. Parnitha Case, August 9-10, 2001

2.4.2. Case of Ano Pitsa of Kiato, July 12-13, 2000

2.4.3. Samos Case July 8-9, 2000

Conclusion

References

Chapter 12

The Impact of Social Media in Emergency Situations: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Introduction

1. The Use of Social Media in Crisis Situations

1.1. Social Networks and Digital Platforms in Emergency Situations

1.2. Case Study

2. The Adoption of Good Practices into Emergency Management

2.1. The European Project Emergency Management in Social Media Generation (Emergent)

2.2. The New Challenges of the Implementation of the Collaborative Platforms

2.3. The Association of International Volunteers in Virtual Operational Support (VISOV)

3. Managers: How to Propose Effective Management in Emergency Situations

3.1. Strategic Decision-Making in Crisis Situations

3.2. The Challenges of the Use of Social Media in Emergency Management

Conclusion

References

Chapter 13

Working with Refugees in a Disaster Crisis: The Development of Secondary Post-Traumatic Stress Among Emergency Workers and First Responders

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Our Research

2.1. Aim of the Study

2.2. Methodology

2.2.1. Method

2.3. Findings

2.4. Summary of Findings

References

About the Editors

Index

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