The ultimate goal of every emergency management professional is to help citizens and communities prepare for natural, technological, or terrorist threats in order to mitigate damage and save lives. Providing an insider’s glimpse into this rewarding career, Introduction to Emergency Management engages readers in real-life case studies, integrating scientific findings with practitioner viewpoints to reveal the challenge of a field in service of communities and people at risk from disasters.

An overview of the field

Beginning with a history of emergency management, the book defines core concepts to help readers understand the field, explore the relevance and types of disaster research, and examine trends behind disasters and new and emerging hazards. From there, it goes on to outline various career tracks within emergency management with a focus on core competencies, ethical practice standards, certification issues, and the responsibilities of the emergency manager. Boxed features written by graduates of emergency management programs and expert practitioners from around the world provide real world insights.

All stages of emergency management

The book discusses in detail the various phases of the disaster cycle—including preparedness and planning, the response phase, short- and long-term recovery, and structural and non-structural mitigation. Core chapters conclude with guidance on working and volunteering in each of these phases. Final chapters explore the role of public and private sector partnerships and non-governmental organizations in emergency management. A concluding chapter offers guidance to students seeking careers and further study in the field.

Case studies and learning tools

Throughout the book, contributors from around the world offer their insight and experience on a host of disasters. Each chapter begins with learning objectives and includes discussion questions, references, and additional resources at the end of each chapter.

Expert authors

The writing team combines its collective experience of teaching and research in the field to offer classroom-tested content. Brenda D. Phillips has conducted research on disasters, specializing in social vulnerability, since 1982. David M. Neal, who has organized classes on the subject since 1979, brings the most extensive teaching experience on the topic to any existing text. Gary R. Webb, a well known disaster sociologist specializing in organizational response, has been involved in the field since 1994. Their collective years of experience bring authoritative expertise to this volume.