Disaster Policy and Politics

Richard Sylves provides needed context and contemporary coverage of the disaster management and homeland security field. Paying special attention to the role of key actors--decision makers at the federal, state and local levels, scientists, engineers, civil and military personnel, officials and first responders--the author explores how social science research can be usefully applied to policy development and every day practice. The book's "all-hazards" comprehensive approach introduces students to the importance of public policy analysis, organizational management, and leadership issues they will need a command of as future practitioners and leaders in the field.

New to the Edition:

• A new chapter on 9/11 Victim's Compensation Fund sheds light on contemporary recovery assistance: are the new protocols for recovery effective? What lessons can be learned from recent disaster relief assistance efforts?
• New coverage of public management theory, complexity and network theories, and emerging approaches to disaster recovery.
• A look at how policy and practice at all levels are adapting to emerging threats like cyber terrorism and the increased capacity of civil authorities to respond.
• Updates tie recent international and domestic events to approaches to disaster management, from the Fukushima nuclear disaster to the Boston Marathon bombings to the tornadoes that destroyed Moore, OK.