DIsaster/risk management cycle and park model

What does the disaster/risk management cycle illustrate?

The ongoing processes by which governments, businesses and societies plan and respond to the impacts of disasters.

Why is the disaster/risk management cycle used?

Leads to lessons being learnt from disaster to increase preparedness via better warning systems, knowledge of evacuation routes etc to reduce vulnerability and increase accuracy of perception in next cycle. More resilient societies and human systems.

Outline the different stages (1-4) of the disaster/risk management cycle:

1) Pre-disaster: Preparedness: planning how to respond to a hazard e.g. making sure warning systems are in place.

2) Immediate post event: Response- how people react e.g. emergency services, assessing damage, evacuation.

3) Recovery: repairing and rebuilding, restarting services.

4) Mitigation: minimise impacts of future disasters e.g. retrofitting.

Is the D/R management cycle the same for every country?

No- for HICs the cycle towards 4 will be much faster. LICs may be stuck in stage 3 (recovery) for a long time, and may skip out 4 completely depending on frequency of hazard and resilience.

What are the advantages of the D/R management cycle?

cyclic therefore shows impact of one event’s influence on response to next.

dynamic therefore different countries cycle through at different rates.

What are the disadvantages of the D/R management cycle?

no timescale.

doesn’t model the level of impact of disaster.

assumes all countries pass through each stage (lessons learnt?)

What does the park model illustrate?

That hazard events have varying degree of impact over time. Shows how responses progress during a disaster and help planners predict resources needed at each stage of recovery. Measures quality of life over time.

Outlines the steps to the park model (6):

1) Pre-disaster: preparing and modifying infrastructure for impacts.

2) Event: during and directly after (primary effects)

3) Relief: search and rescue (hours to days after)

4) rehabilitation: (days to months after), may involve international aid. Resolving long-term issues.

5) Reconstruction: (weeks/years) rebuilding major infrastructure.

6) Recovery: learn from and reduce vulnerability (improvement) or reduce quality of life long-term.

How does step 6 differ depending on the country?

Depends on level of development, technology, risk (frequency, magnitude), hazard perception, governance etc. Can be below, at or above pre-disaster quality of life.

What are the advantages of the park model?

Gives names to stages pre and post event→ easier to organise response.

Easy to compare to other events and can be used in other locations similar, as well as highlight differences in quality of life.

Informs in changes to standard of living over time.

What are the disadvantages of the park model?

Generalised to place when recovery would differ in communities.

Generic timescales.

Descriptive- doesn’t explain why.

Qualitative data (quality of life) therefore cannot be measured.

Not cyclic and cannot inform on next hazard event.

How does the park model differ between LICs and HICs?

HICs: hazards impacts will be less disruptive, quicker recovery, lessons learnt. LICs: larger timescale, may never recover to normal.