West Coast wildfires: Disaster research experts can discuss evacuation plans, multiple crises, health concerns and more

Experts from the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center can provide analysis and advice on evacuations, health concerns, risk perception, dealing with multiple crises and more in reference to the wildfires raging in California, Oregon and Washington state.

Tricia Wachtendorf: Evacuation decision-making, disaster response and coordination, disaster relief (donations) and logistics, volunteer and emergency efforts, social vulnerability.  

Jennifer Horney: Can talk about health impacts of exposure to the fire and smoke as well as the after effects of exposure to environmental contaminants during clean up.

Sarah DeYoung: Vulnerable communities, maternal health, pets and decision-making.

Jennifer Trivedi: Dealing with multiple crises (wildfires and COVID-19), cultural issues and long-term recovery.

James Kendra: Can discuss technology in emergency management and risk perception and communication.

Joseph Trainor: Housing decisions, insurance, multi-organizational coordination, resilience. 

Rachel Davidson: Natural disaster risk modeling and civil infrastructure systems.