Disaster Myths and Disaster Myths and Realities Realities Tricia Wachtendorf Disaster Research Center / University of Delaware Research Funding Provided by the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, the National Science Foundation, and the Public Entity Risk Institute
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Disaster Myths and Realities Tricia Wachtendorf Disaster Research Center / University of Delaware Research Funding Provided by the Multidisciplinary Center.
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Disaster Myths and Realities Disaster Myths and Realities
Tricia Wachtendorf
Disaster Research Center / University of Delaware
Research Funding Provided by the Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research, the National Science
Foundation, and the Public Entity Risk Institute
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
A disaster is simply a result of physical events and leaves everyone in its path equally vulnerableREALITY: In fact, disasters are social
events that leave some groups more vulnerable to impacts than others
For ExampleFor Example
In New York City on 9/11, workers on the upper floors of the towers were more vulnerable than those who worked on lower floors; people with disabilities who were unable to use the stairs were more vulnerable than those who were able-bodied
During Hurricane Katrina, low income citizens without a vehicle had more difficulty evacuating than those Gulf Coast residents who did own vehicles; renters were at the mercy of their landlords regarding the extent to which mitigation actions had been taken
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
Disaster response comes down to the actions of isolated heroes in our society REALITY: Disasters involve a multi-
organizational response
For exampleFor example
The response on 9/11 involved participation of a broad range of local, state, and federal agencies, large non-profit organization and local community based groups, large corporations and small businesses, and many, many individuals citizens.
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
We can expect widespread role abandonment by emergency respondersREALITY: Research shows that
emergency responders do not generally abandon their responsibilities, particularly after assurances that their families are safe
For exampleFor example
Firefighters continued to converged to the World Trade Center, even after calls had been issued to remain at the firehouses.
It was actually difficult to convince workers at Ground Zero to leave because many were committed to the job or to first rescuing potential survivors and later recovering the remains of those who had perished.
Rather than role abandonment, we saw people coming from across US to provide help after 9/11
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
We can expect widespread panic during disastersREALITY: Panic (as anti-social
irrational behavior, not feelings of anxiety) is rare in disasters
For ExampleFor Example
It is often more difficult to get people to leave an area than deal with people fleeing from it
People do not panic unless their avenue of escape is very rapidly closing (possible on some of the floors in the Twin Towers where fires were most intense) and even then conduct is orderly until last moments
Fear and running away from imminent danger is not illogical. It is rational behavior to steer clear from danger.
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
We can expect widespread looting, price gouging, and other anti-social behaviorREALITY: While anti-social behavior
does sometimes occur, it is not as widespread as is often portrayed.
People, in fact, exhibit pro-social behavior in disasters
For ExampleFor Example
Appropriating behavior (people taking necessary items for survival or for the response) is sometimes mistaken as looting
Crime rates actually go down in the immediate impact period following disasters
Many people act to help their fellow citizens during a disaster and instead offer to others what little resources they may have
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
We should immediately send any assistance we can as help of all forms will be necessaryREALITY: Money is the best form of assistance;
other assistance can be extremely helpful, but must take into account actual needs and when those goods or services are most needed.
Any provision of assistance should also consider how to best ensure that those resources will be identified, sorted, and distributed during an intense response.
For ExampleFor Example
Money can be redirected into the local economy and be used to purchase goods even as needs change over the course of the response/recovery.
Those requesting assistance should be clear to instruct what type of volunteers are needed, where they should converge to, what types of goods are needed, how they should be packed and labeled, and where goods should be sent.
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
Disaster response is solely the responsibility of government agenciesREALITY: Disaster response often involves
extensive public engagementIncludes a full range of individuals, groups,
agencies, and businessesEstablished, expanding, extending, emergent
E.L. Quarantelli & Russell Dynes outline the E.L. Quarantelli & Russell Dynes outline the different types of organizations in disasters in their different types of organizations in disasters in their DRC Typology:DRC Typology: Structures
Old NewOld Established Expanding
e.g. fire or police e.g. Salvation Army
or American Red Cross
Tasks
New Extending Emergente.g. a bicycle courier e.g. a bucket brigade
company that startsto deliver food tocheckpoints
For exampleFor example
Private vessels played a critical role in evacuating commuters from Manhattan on 9/11.
In New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, individual boat owners searched for neighbors they believed had not evacuated and were stranded.
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
Centralized decision-making and response is always appropriateREALITY: Complex disasters necessitate
decentralized decision making structures and networks
Communication and coordination are better than command and control
Command and Control Command and Control incorrectly incorrectly assumes assumes (T.E. Drabek & D. A. McEntire):(T.E. Drabek & D. A. McEntire):
Government is the only responder Information from outside official channels is
inaccurate Widespread role abandonment Standard operating procedures will always
function Citizens are inept, passive, and irrational Society will breakdown Ad hoc emergence is counter productive
Disaster MythDisaster Myth
Having a solid disaster plan ensures an effective responseREALITY: Planning is crucial, but so is a
flexible organization the recognizes that some form of improvisation may be necessary.
Planning should be seen as a process, not as an activity that creates a document that will never need to be revisited.
The artistry of disaster responseThe artistry of disaster response
Just as great improvisation in jazz music involves more than “playing from the heart” or “raw talent,” great emergency management involves more than “common sense” or “just doing what needs to be done.”
For more information, contact:For more information, contact:
Tricia Wachtendorf, Ph.DAssistant Professor / Department of SociologyCore Faculty / Disaster Research Center
Disaster Research CenterUniversity of DelawareNewark, DE 19716