Introduction to Disaster Management

1 Course Unit

Disaster management reflects society’s organized attempt to protect its members from natural, technological, and terrorist threats. Often, this involves coordinating with local, state, federal, and non-governmental organizations; alerting the public to impending hazards; and developing plans for the sheltering and mass care of those left homeless in the wake of major catastrophe. The field operates through a complex network of specialists, whose activities often assist the day-to-day and long-term operations of disaster management. As a result, planning for a disaster— be it in the realm of mitigation, preparedness, response or recovery, calls for a thorough understanding of both the natural and social elements of disaster. This course will cover an overview of theory, principles, and the operations of disaster management. Topics include a history and evolution of the profession; an exploration of the concepts mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery; state, local, federal and non- governmental organizations’ roles in disasters and an investigation of the social, political and economic consequences of disasters. 1 Course Unit