Disaster Response and Recovery

David A. McEntire is a Professor in the Department of Emergency Services at Utah Valley University, where he previously served as Dean of the College of Health and Public Service. Dr. McEntire has taught and written extensively on emergency management and is a recipient of the Blanchard Award for Academic Excellence in Emergency Management Higher Education.

About the Author

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgments

Knowing What to Expect: Hazards, Vulnerability and Disasters

The Occurrence of Disasters

Important Concepts

Preview of Disaster Response and Recovery

Types of Hazards

Natural Hazards

Atmospheric Hazards

Hydrologic Hazards

Geologic Hazards

Seismic and Volcanic Hazards

Wildfire Hazards

Biological Hazards

Technological Hazards

Industrial Hazards

Environmental Hazards

Nuclear Hazards

Structural Fire Hazards

Structural Collapse Hazards

Transportation Hazards

Civil/Conflict Hazards

Panic Flight

Riots

Mass Shootings

Terrorism

War

The Complexity of Disasters

The Impact of Disasters

Changes Associated with Disasters

The Need for Response and Recovery Operations



Understanding the Actors: Roles and Responsibilities of Relevant Stakeholders

The Public Sector

Local Government

County and Regional Governments

State Government

Federal Government

Tribal Government

The Private Sector

Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery and Risk Management

Transportation

Sheltering and Housing

Emergency and Long-Term Medical Care

Media Reporting

Volunteers and Donations

Insurance Provision and Claim Settlement

Utility Restoration and Community Reconstruction

Vending of Goods and Services

The Nonprofit Sector

The Red Cross

Faith-Based Organizations

Community Groups

Emergent Groups

Working with All Partners and the Whole Community



Anticipating Attitudes and Behavior in Disasters: Myths, Exaggerations and Realities

General Disaster Attitudes and the Case of Covid-19

The Impact of Hollywood and the Media

Hollywood's Portrayal of Disasters

The Media's Role in Perpetuating Misconceptions

Research on Myths

Evidence of Exaggeration

Realities about Response and Recovery

The Importance of Understanding Behavior Correctly



Applying Alternative Management Theories: Disaster Response and Recovery Theory

The Traditional Model

Features of the Traditional Model

Strengths of the Traditional Model

Drawbacks of the Traditional Model

The Professional Model

Characteristics of the Professional Model

Benefits of the Professional Model

Weaknesses of the Professional Model

Comparison of the Models



Implementing Initial Response Measures: Hazard Detection, Warning, Evacuation and Sheltering

Hazard Detection

Initial Steps

Seeking Additional Information

Notifying and Communicating with Others

Implementing the Emergency Operations Plan

Activating the EOC

Issuing Warnings

Types of Warning Systems

Sirens

Media

Emergency Alert System

Reverse 911

Intercoms, Teletype Writers and Strobe Lights

Loud Speakers, Door-to-Door Notification and Weather Radios

Cell Phones/Smart Phones/Texting

Social Media

Warning Considerations

Evacuation

Means of Evacuation

Evacuation Behavior

Reasons Why People Do Not Evacuate

Evacuation Considerations

Evacuation Procedures

Sheltering

Sheltering Types

Shelter Use and Characteristics

Working with Others to Establish and Manage Shelters



Caring for the Injured, Dead and Distraught: Overcoming Physical and Emotional Impacts

Search and Rescue Operations

Types of SAR

Human Behavior During SAR Operations

Issues to Consider When Carrying out SAR

Resources Required for SAR

Situational Awareness in the SAR Function

Rescuer Needs in SAR Operations

SAR and immediate On-Site Emergency Care

SAR and Limited Time

Federal USAR Teams

Conducting SAR Operations

Emergency Medical Care, Triage and DMATs

Treating the Injured

Triage

The Ethics of Triage

Disaster Medical Assistance Teams

Mass Fatality Management

Mass Fatality Incidents and Their Challenges

Responding to Mass Fatality Incidents

Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams

Stress Management

Vulnerability to PTSD/CIS

Common Signs of PTSD/CIS

Overcoming PTSD/CIS

The Merit of Defusings and Debriefings



Managing Public Information, Donations and Volunteers: Expected Difficulties and Benefits

The Media and Social Media and Disasters

Types of Media and Their Behavior

Challenges Associated with the Media

Strategies for Working with the Media

Social Media and Disasters

Social Media Challenges and Guidelines for its Use

Dealing with Donations

Challenges Resulting from Donations

Hurricane Andrew

Oklahoma City Bombing

9/11 Terrorist Attacks

Recommendations for Donation Management

Volunteer Management

Difficulties Associated with Volunteers

Strategies for Volunteer Management

Rely on the Expertise of Nonprofit Organizations and Others

Register and Care for Volunteers

Match Their Skills with Disaster Needs

Evaluate Your Progress

The Value of Volunteer Management



Moving Beyond Immediate Needs: Damage Assessment, Disaster Declarations and Debris Removal

Assessing Damages

Types of Damage Assessment

Methods of Conducting Damage Assessments

Challenges in Damage Assessment

Accuracy

Working with Others

Access and Safety

Damage Assessment Procedures

Pre-Assessment Activities

Assessment Considerations

Disaster Declarations

Difficulties Associated with the Process

Factors Determining Declarations

Other Unique Declaration Requirements

Debris Produced by Disasters

Types of Debris

Debris Management Challenges

Dealing with Debris Effectively

Storage Locations, the Environment and Public Information

EPA Recommendations for Improving Debris Management

Regulations and Other Considerations

Reducing Expenses

Preventing Fraud



Promoting Recovery and Mitigation: Disaster Assistance, Rebuilding and Vulnerability Reduction

Disaster Impacts and Disaster Assistance

Types of IA

Loans and Grants

Services

Benefits

Facilitating IA

National Processing Service Center (NPSC)

Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)
Categories of PA

Emergency Assistance

Debris Removal

Protective Measures

Permanent Assistance

Road Systems

Water Control

Public Buildings/Equipment

Public Utility

Other Assistance

Accessing PA

Important Issues for Recovery

Minimizing Fraud

Protecting the Environment

Preserving Historic Buildings

Mitigating Future Disasters

Relocate to a New Site

Intraurban Relocation

Rebuild in the Same Area

The Potential for Disagreement

Pressing for Change

Lessons from the Loma Prieta Earthquake



Overcoming Typical Challenges: Vital Considerations for Response and Recovery

Communication and Coordination

The Importance of Communication and Coordination

Communication and Coordination Barriers

Enhancing Communication

Improving Coordination

Decision Making and Disasters

Overcoming Decision Errors

Transportation Issues and Logistics

Dealing with Transportation Problems

Logistics in Disasters

Vulnerable/Special Populations

Gender

Racial and Ethnic Groups

The Poor

Tourists

The Elderly

Children

The Disabled

Other Special Needs Groups

Meeting the Needs of Vulnerable/Special Populations

Politics and Disasters

Overcoming Political Problems

Legal Concerns

Disasters and the Law

Constitutional Rights

Negligence

Minimizing Liability

Record Keeping and Disasters

Keeping Accurate Records



Harnessing Technology and Organization: Tools and Structures for Effective Operations

The Importance of Technology

Communications Equipment and Interoperability

Trunked Radio Systems

The Internet

Voice over Internet Protocol and Other Equipment

ACU-1000

Video Conferencing

Interoperability

Decision Support Systems

Geographic Information System

Managing Disasters at the Local Level

The Incident Command System

Incident Command Structure and Principles

Pros and Cons of ICS

The Emergency Operations Center

Characteristics of an EOC

Challenges Facing EOCs

Using EOCs

A Comparison of ICS and EOCs

Memorandums of Understanding and Mutual Aid Agreements

Managing Disasters at the State Level

State Emergency Management System

Emergency Management Assistance Compact

Managing Disasters on a Federal Level

The National Incident Management System

Goals of NIMS

Principles of NIMS

Strengths of Weaknesses of NIMS

The National Response Framework

Emergency Support Functions in the NRF

The National Disaster Recovery Framework

Recovery Support Functions in the NDRF



Foreseeing the Future: Prior Lessons, Unaddressed Risks and Rising Vulnerability

Disasters on the Rise

Understanding Natural Disasters

Responding to a Natural Disaster

Understanding Technological Disasters

Responding to HazMat Incidents

Understanding Acts of Violence

Responding to Acts of Violence

Understanding Terrorism

Responding to Terrorist Disasters

Protecting First Responders

Protecting Evidence

Relying on Other Organizations

Unfolding and Unrecognized Hazards

Environmental Degradation, Global Warming and Climate Change

Pole Reversals

Asteroid Strikes

Biological and Public Health Threats

Information/Computer Technology Hazards

Responding to Information/Computer Technology Disasters

Increased Vulnerability

Persistent Poverty

Growing Population and Urbanization

The Benefit and Challenge of Diversity

Further Industrialization

Internationalization

Improper Land Use and Construction

Weak Emergency Management Institutions

Other Factors



Enhancing Disaster Resilience: Preparedness, Improvisation, Spontaneous Planning, Leadership and Professionalism

Reducing Vulnerability and Preparing Your Community

Establishing an Ordinance

Creating a Preparedness Council

Acquiring Resources

Resources Lists

Annual Budgets

Grants

Applying for and Managing Grants

Designing and Establishing an EOC

Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment

Writing an EOP

First Responder and Organizational Training

Disaster Exercises

Types of Exercises

Managing Exercises

Exercise Participants and Other Considerations

Public Education

Improvisation, Creativity, Flexibility and Spontaneous Planning

Leadership and Professionalism

Becoming a Professional Emergency Manager