WEEK 3 - Historical Perspectives

What are the Four Theories of Disaster?

1. Acts of God (Fate Theory)

2. Acts of Nature

3. Intersection of Society and Nature

4. Avoidable Human Constructs

   1. 💡 Mnemonic Phrase: “God’s Nature Interacts with Humans.”

What did the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake lead to the creation of?

1. Gaiola Pombalina (“Pombaline Cage”)

2. 🪵 An earthquake-resistant wooden structure

3. 🏗 Used in rebuilding Lisbon in the 18th century

Describe the “Acts of God” (Fate Theory)

1. ⚡ Belief: Disasters caused by fate, God, or human sin

2. 🌩 Supernatural explanations delayed scientific study for centuries

3. 🌅 1900s: Marked the shift to scientific understanding of disasters

💡 Key Idea: Fate Theory blamed divine forces, slowing true disaster research until modern times.

Describe the “Acts of Nature” theory

1. 🌍 Disasters seen as natural physical events

2. 🕰 View dominated in early 20th century

3. ⚡ Extreme natural forces blamed for large-scale damage and death

4. 😐 Seen as “stuff that happens” 

💡 Key Idea: Acts of Nature Theory: disasters are natural events beyond human control

What was James Lee Witt’s view on the theory of “Intersection of Society and Nature”?

“The large disaster losses we have experienced during the past decade have been the result of a lethal combination of fierce nature and human decisions.”

What are the Origins of Civil Defence of the UK?

1. 🏛 Established: 1935

2. 🧍‍♀ Volunteer-based, organized locally

3. 👩‍🚒 Assigned by training & experience

4. Sections Included:

   1. 🔎 Reconnaissance & reporting

   2. 🧱 Rescue parties (bombed buildings)

   3. 💉 First aid teams

   4. 🗺 Report & control (dispatch)

   5. ☣ Decontamination teams

      1. Order to remember: R-R-F-R-D

Mnemonic: “Recon, Rescue, First aid, Report/Control, Decon.”

In May 1995 the Federal Emergency Policy was broadened to include?

1. Catastrophic natural disasters

2. Threats to public order

3. International crises

4. War (use of extraordinary powers)