Global assessment of flood impact on emergency service provision to vulnerable populations under climate change
Sarah Johnson *1, Dapeng Yu 1, Robert Wilby 1, Tom Matthews 1
1 Geography and Environment, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Loughborough University, LE11 3TU UK; S.Johnson@lboro.ac.uk
Globally, vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by flooding and predominantly encompass the majority of flood associated injuries and fatalities due to insufficient inclusion into emergency response and climate adaptation policy designs. These individuals are largely reliant on Ambulance and Fire & Rescue Services because of flood induced injuries, exacerbated medical conditions and requiring evacuative assistance. However, a recent study revealed that inundated road networks and regulatory time frames result in an alarmingly low area and population coverage by emergency services in England; but how does this compare across the globe and what will the future hold?
To answer these questions, this research will identify vulnerability hotspots of global populations in terms of emergency service provision during times of flooding of various magnitudes under climate change. Via the use of modelling techniques, this research will involve the identification of geographic and temporal variability in the extent and distribution of flood and vulnerable population hotspots, the associated impact on emergency service accessibility to vulnerable populations based on restrictions, and finally a comparison of how vulnerability and emergency service accessibility compares demographically between vulnerable population groups.
It is expected that there will be significant geographical and temporal differences in emergency service provision between countries and regions globally although to what extent is currently unknown. Ultimately, findings generated from this project can be used by national and international organisations to inform their adaptation and emergency preparedness strategies and bring us closer towards resolving the social inequalities of flood hazards.