The Distributed Functions of Emergency Management and Homeland Security outlines the roles and responsibilities of various individuals and agencies involved in homeland security and all aspects of emergency management. Each chapter focuses on the practical and applied aspects of a range of public servants in various departments and the organizations that they represent.

Rather than presenting a theoretical exploration alone, the book examines the practical knowledge and hands-on skills related to various functions and how their decisions and actions play into the larger framework of safety and security ―in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Every professional has a unique and integral part to play in fulfilling their roles and obligations, whether it be in relation to prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response or recovery operations. Personnel that frequently come to mind in such scenarios include emergency managers, geographers and land-use planners, EMTs and paramedics, fire fighters, police officers, public health officials, nurses, public administrators, and public information officers. And while these individuals are integral to homeland security and emergency management, there are other professionals that also perform essential duties that―while they aren’t first-to-mind―are vital to efforts relating to terrorism and disasters; this includes pilots in the aviation sector, the military, attorneys, psychologists, and forensic professionals serving in pathology, DNA, and dentistry roles.

Chapters provide a holistic rendering of the homeland security and emergency management landscape to present all these various professional capabilities and contributions. This includes how current functions are coordinated as well as how future efforts might change relative to a more proactive, all-hazards and holistic approach. As such, the book will be a useful resource for students and practitioners to understand the dynamic professions―and various disciplines and fields―that impact disaster and terrorism preparedness and response capabilities.

Disasters in our modern era are copious, complex, and consequential. These increasingly prevalent events are triggered by diverse hazards (e.g., Winter Storm Uri, COVID-19, Colonial Pipeline attack). They are exacerbated by human vulnerability and complicated by social processes, the built environment, and our aging infrastructure. The impacts are far reaching and endure long after the initial response occurs.

The unique, dynamic, and sometimes (or frequently?) unpredictable nature of disasters creates a situation where it is impossible for designated emergency managers to solve these convoluted problems alone. They must increasingly work with and rely on a myriad of professionals in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. With this in mind, the following book is based on the concept of the “distributed functions of emergency management.”

I first heard this term while attending the FEMA Higher Education Symposium several years ago. Jessica Jensen (a well-known scholar at North Dakota State University) mentioned in a presentation or a personal conversation that multiple actors and agencies are involved in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery operations. Therefore, emergency managers must do more to harness the knowledge, skills, and abilities of others who can help reduce and react to disasters.

The following book, which is comprised of diverse chapters written by bright scholars and experienced practitioners, explores a number of professions that are related to disasters and terrorist attacks. It mentions their important roles in emergency management and homeland security, and explores vital recommendations to address current problems and take advantage of future opportunities.

It is hoped that this book might add to our understanding of disasters and terrorist attacks, and help advance emergency management and homeland security functions – regardless of where they are being practiced and who is involved in their implementation.

Title: The Distributed Functions of Emergency Management and Homeland Security: An Assessment of Professions Involved in Response to Disasters and Terrorist Attacks

Author: David A. McEntire, Barbara Burr

Publisher:CRC Press

Year: 2023

Edition: 1st Edition

Language: English

Pages: 460

Ebook: PDF

File size:17 MB

ISBN Number: 1032396458, 9781032396453, 9781032396446, 9781003350729

CBID: CBM362