Summary
It is impossible to ignore the relentless media reports of various human-made and natural disasters and the constant threats they pose to our society. Beyond the news headlines, recent disasters have prompted the restructuring of the U.S. government, namely the formation of the Department of Homeland Security and the reorganization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With the ever-present threat of disasters from hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, landslides, drought, winter storms, nuclear accidents, terrorist attacks, and chemical contamination, the role of government in protecting the population seems more important than ever.
Disaster Response explores the issue of natural and human-made disasters and the nation's response to them in the popular Library in a Book format. It begins with a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the history of the topic and the opinions surrounding it. Contemporary case studies range from the terrorist attacks of 9/11 to such natural disasters as Hurricane Katrina. Capsule biographies, a large annotated bibliography, a chronology of significant events, organization and agency listings, and a glossary also provide invaluable information for students, teachers, librarians, activists, policymakers, and general readers interested in exploring the controversy surrounding this issue.
Coverage includes:
- Whether or not the government can provide adequate leadership in disaster response situations
- How well government agencies have responded to disasters
- Whether or not government agencies have learned from failed relief efforts in the past
- and more.
Specifications
Index. Appendixes. Bibliography. Glossary. Chronology. Chart.
About the Author(s)
Fred C. Pampel holds a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He is currently a professor at the University of Colorado and has also taught at the University of North Carolina, the University of Iowa, and Florida State University. Pampel specializes in research on fertility, mortality, smoking, and social inequality, and he has received many grants for his in-depth studies of these topics. He is the author of Tobacco Industry and Smoking, Racial Profiling, and Threats to Food Safety, all from Facts On File’s Library in a Book series; the coauthor of three books; and author or coauthor of more than 45 articles. He is a member of the American Sociological Association, the Population Association of America, and the Southern Sociological Society.