Disaster Preparation

Introduction

A variety of services, agencies, and programs work together to provide emergency services and disaster assistance to local residents after a disaster event (Veenema, pp 101 - 119). However, these service providers cannot be everywhere at once, and initial needs may be greater than they can handle immediately with available resources. During these initial hours after a disaster, when damage is heavy or widespread and emergency services are stretched thin, many people are called upon to provide assistance to those around them (R O'Leary, pp 56 - 60). Individuals and families help themselves (Beach, pp 67 - 89). Neighbors help ...