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Discusses the nature of disaster and the future of emergency management. After exploring differing historical perspectives of disaster, puts forth a model of vulnerability and highlights the plethora of factors that contribute to calamitous events. Introduces the concept of invulnerable development as a method of vulnerability management and compares it to other terms that have been proposed as guides for future disaster policy. The central argument to be made is that vulnerability is, or should be, the key concept for disaster scholarship and reduction.

The purpose of this paper is to review what is known about debris management and acknowledge that the effective removal of debris has positive impacts on communities affected by disaster. Four new concerns are introduced that should be considered during the debris management process. These include the recognition of additional debris types as well as the importance of evidence in crime scene investigations.

A literature review on debris management is presented in this paper. It illustrates the relevance, amount, and types of debris in disasters as well as the need for advanced planning. Four new essentials are then discussed.

Those involved in debris management should consider how they will deal with excessive donations, human remains, animal carcasses and evidence collection.

Although this research could be enhanced with practitioner interviews, the literature review is fairly thorough.

Lessons in this paper will help to bring about more effective and efficient debris management operations.

This research reviews the current state of knowledge and adds to it.

What is the present state of international disaster relief? Seeks to answer this important inquiry because the increased emphasis on prevention does not make post‐disaster response unnecessary. In so doing, this article will explore three important questions. Have practitioners overcome the obstacles to effective and efficient relief which have been identified in previous studies? What problems remain? What are the solutions to those issues which have not been resolved? Suggests numerous opportunities for improvement in both disaster management and scholarship.

The following conceptual exposition is presented in light of the growing number of scholars who indicate need for a comprehensive and coherent approach to disaster reduction, while practitioners seem to be continually faced with dynamic and seemingly contradictory goals and strategies.

This article reviews arguments from an assorted collection of literature in order to increase theoretical understanding of disasters and attempts to integrate various concepts, paradigms and policy proposals.

The discussion points out the strengths and weaknesses of alternative viewpoints about disasters, and suggests that a broad conceptualization of vulnerability may be best suited to assimilate findings for academia and simplify policy guidance for professionals in the field.

Because this is a cursory exploration of the casting of vulnerability management in terms of liability reduction and capacity building, additional research on the matter will undoubtedly be needed. Nonetheless, it is hoped that this article may pull together diverse academic frameworks, in order to avert recurring mistakes among those designing and implementing policy.

By updating the author's prior work in this area with additional considerations regarding the natural hazards, civil defense, risk management and homeland security schools, this article may be useful for scholars and practitioners interested in reversing the trend of more frequent and intense disasters.

Utilizes the March 28, 2000, Fort Worth tornado as a case study to examine how organisations collaborate in their attempt to perform multiple response and recovery functions. Identifies factors that inhibit and facilitate coordination among disaster‐related organisations. Concludes with implications for improving disaster response operations and management.

As the end of the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction approaches it is necessary to review what is known about global responses to catastrophes. Discusses four major weaknesses of the relief and mitigation community that are frequently identified in the disaster studies literature: the violation of human rights, a low degree of relief co‐ordination, difficulties and drawbacks of providing aid, and dilemmas of development. Offers possible solutions for these challenges and also highlights the implications of the findings for research and application. Gives direction to both academics and practitioners who are interested in disaster relief and prevention around the world.

Research on emergent behavior has been a significant topic within disaster studies. Through a detailed review of the literature we provide background information about this particular branch of disaster sociology. Following a brief discussion of the process by which literature was selected, important trends and areas of debate are discussed. These include the validation of previous findings, an expansion of the discussion on emergent phenomena and a critique of the bureaucratic approach. We conclude with implications for the theory and practice of emergency management.

Is a holistic approach to the disaster problem required? Seeks to answer this question by examining the 1997‐1998 El Niño disasters in Peru. Explores the key factors that contributed to the disaster and highlights the subsequent effects and response operations. Discusses the need for a theory of disaster management that takes into account all types of hazards, numerous variables from the physical and social environments, as well as each phase of emergency management.

The paper explores diverse theories of development and illustrates how they are also applied to the study of disaster. Shows that recent research from both the radical and conservative ideological camps recognizes the benefit of theoretical integration. Concludes with implications for disaster scholarship and management, paying special attention to the importance of the concept of vulnerability.

This paper discusses what local governments must do to prepare for various disasters, including terrorist attacks. It provides background information on preparedness and highlights lessons from prior research. It also identifies the process of establishing local ordinances, assessing risk, creating emergency operations plans, acquiring resources, instituting mutual aid agreements, training, exercising and educating the public. Finally, it concludes with recommendations to implement these preparedness measures.