Disaster Management: Planning, Response and Recovery

Book excerpt: The serious disturbances that occur for a short period of time and cause extensive material, economic, human and environmental loss are termed as disasters. Natural and man-made disasters are the two primary types of disasters. The natural phenomena such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados and landslides are the natural disasters. Catastrophe such as transport accidents, oil spills and nuclear explosions are the examples of man-made disasters. Disaster management aims to reduce the harmful effects of disasters. The three main areas of disaster management are disaster planning, disaster recovery and disaster response. Disaster planning includes the methods used to prevent disasters from occurring. Disaster response is the ability to deal with the challenges presented by the disaster events. Disaster recovery includes the utilization of technological systems after disaster to return to the former condition. The book studies, analyzes and upholds the pillars of disaster management and its utmost significance in modern times. Most of the topics introduced herein cover new techniques and the applications of disaster management. This book will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.