First annual NDPTC internship program hosts closing seminar on July 10

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Ashley P Bareng, 808-725-5234
Delivery Operations Coordinator, NDPTC, Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning
Posted: Jul 9, 2015

NDPTC
NDPTC

On Friday, July 10, 2015, the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) will be hosting a (invitation only) seminar event at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) Inouye Regional Center on Ford Island for the four interns who will complete the first annual NDPTC Joint Science Internship for Pacific Resilience and Security (JSIPRS) program. Each of the interns will present their experience in the program, the lessons learned and also share their identified research need, which will be the basis of their capstone projects. The event will provide a wonderful opportunity for the interns to meet and network with local scientists, officers and other individuals for the cultivation of business relationships and networks.

Research topics that will be discussed:

  • CDT Colby Hyde- Research of extratropical transition and looking into the likelihood of storms like Hurricane Sandy reoccuring in the future. CDT Hyde would like to understand how climate change will affect what will happen to hurricanes as they transition into extratropical cyclones.
  • MIDN Hank Glenn- Research of how climate change affects emergency planning and response; particularly in regards to second order effects like food security. MIDN Glenn would like to look at cascading events originating from the Indian heat wave of 2015 and the California heat wave of 2006 as they each demonstrate the climate-dependent vulnerabilities of two dimensional agriculture. His capstone project will involve the feasibility of 3-dimensional agriculture (i.e. vertical farming).
  • MIDN Jed Salonga- Research the extent of infrastructure damage caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan, and how climate change correlates with storm surge intensity. MIDN Salonga would like look into effective designs of evacuation centers, while considering affordable construction to ultimately find ways to build more resilient coastal communities.
  • CDT Sarah Hill- CDT Hill would like to look into a case study of the El Reno Tornado.  This important case demonstrates a record-breaking tornado that posed issues in communication and transportation when the interstate system in Oklahoma City gridlocked as residents tried to flee the city.  The case also shows that flash flooding was another major issue that accompanied this dangerous tornado.  CDT Hill is interested in looking into the effects that climate change might have and how it impacts the frequency and intensity of these events in the future.

The internship program began on June 22, 2015, and is being held over the span of three weeks. During the course of the program the interns have been assisting NDPTC in the Course Development Department by assisting with research and development of course content. In addition, the interns have been introduced to local weather and natural hazard centric organizations and their operations, as well as some of the NDPTC partner organizations and other government agencies.

NDPTC is delighted to complete its first annual JSIPRS internship program and for the opportunity to be able to expose up-and-coming potential future leaders to a unique working opportunity in a region of the world – the crossroads of the Pacific- that is frequently plagued by natural disaster.

Dr. Karl Kim, Executive Director of NDPTC, is very excited about the program. “The mission of the Center is to build resilient communities through training, education and research on natural hazards. We are delighted to work with and support these outstanding individuals from the service academies. This is an important part of the NDPTC's efforts to increase our nation's preparedness and capabilities to respond to and recover from disasters,” said Kim.  NDPTC is very excited to continue the internship program next year.

The National Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC) is a member of the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, which was expanded in 2007 to address all-hazards capabilities by the addition of the University of Hawai‘i. The NDPTC is authorized to develop and deliver training and educational programs related to homeland security and disaster management, with a specific focus on natural hazards, coastal communities and the special needs and opportunities of islands and territories. The NDPTC actively engages internally with FEMA and the University of Hawai‘i, as well as with external partners across the region to integrate the delivery of its trainings, products and services

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa fosters a multidisciplinary set of intellectual and practical tools to improve the quality of life for present and future generations, both locally and globally, through planning, public policy and social collaboration.

The College of Social Sciences (CSS) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa  is engaged in a broad range of research endeavors that address fundamental questions about human behavior and the workings of local, national and international political, social, economic and cultural institutions. Its vibrant student-centered academic climate supports outstanding scholarship through internships, and active and service learning approaches to teaching that prepare students for the life-long pursuit of knowledge.