Katarzyna Chapters 1 & 2 Chapter 1 starts off with a description of Superstorm Sandy. Reading about Sandy always fascinates me because the effects of the storm, now seven years later, are still clearly visible in many areas of NYC. One of the bullet points mentioned debris removal, which will be discussed further in a later chapter, but I actually wondered about that myself. Where did all the cars and boats that were destroyed go? I remember driving to Rockaway three days post Sandy and seeing boats crisscrossing each other in the street on the way there. In fact, one small rowboat remains in the median of Beach Channel now used as a planter for decoration. Emergency management is comprised of four phases- mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The text states that recovery can be the longest and most expensive of the phases. Again, looking back at Sandy as an example that is very true. Even looking at the recovery from 9/11 we can see that it is still ongoing and 18 years have passed since the tragedy! There are short-term and long-term recovery processes. Short term focuses on things that need to be done asap such as providing water and electricity to those affected by a disaster. The focus is meeting the minimum for society to function. Long term focuses on things that will take longer to fix or restore in the hope of returning communities to “normal”. This includes debris management and rebuilding of infrastructure. Chapter 2 describes some theories and how they relate to disasters. Systems theory analyzes the relationship between the built, the natural, and the human environment and when there is a disconnect between those, it may result in disaster. I found vulnerability theory to be interesting because it focuses on humans and those in particular who are more susceptible to be victims of disasters. Sociopolitical theory states that disasters disrupt social interactions. There are disruptions in normal daily activities of work and school. People rely on help from extended family or organizations. I don’t think all social disruptions are bad though. In the days following disasters like 9/11 and Sandy, and recently the hurricane going up the eastern coast, people are nicer to each other, more helpful to friends and strangers alike. It’s almost as if disasters reset the social norms Phillips, . (2015). Disaster recovery (2nd Ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. ISBN: 978-1466583849
Hide
