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"As one of the volumes in the Wiley Blackwell series entitled, Communicating Science in Times of Crises, this and the following fourteen chapters take up the issue of Catastrophes and how these events are manifested and eventually managed through strategic risk and crisis management. In Chapter One, the conceptual groundwork is laid for understanding the semantical properties and implications of the term, Catastrophes. An associated field of study is risk and crisis management and is discussed from a theoretical perspective with some practical observations thrown in from time to time. In the last section of the chapter, a brief synopsis is offered for the remaining fourteen chapters of the book. Catastrophic conditions explored in the book are varied but represent a nice sampling of these events as they have unfolded quite recently"--

Abstract. Although there is an accumulated charge of theoretical, computational, and numerical work, like catastrophe theory, bifurcation theory, stochastic and deterministic chaos theory, there is an important feeling that these matters do not completely cover the physics of real catastrophic events. Recent studies have suggested that a large variety of complex processes, including earthquakes, heartbeats, and neuronal dynamics, exhibits statistical similarities. Here we are studying in terms of complexity and non linear techniques whether isomorphic signatures emerged indicating the transition from the normal state to the both geological and biological shocks. In the last 15 years, the study of Complex Systems has emerged as a recognized field in its own right, although a good definition of what a complex system is, actually is eluded. A basic reason for our interest in complexity is the striking similarity in behaviour close to irreversible phase transitions among systems that are otherwise quite different in nature. It is by now recognized that the pre-seismic electromagnetic time-series contain valuable information about the earthquake preparation process, which cannot be extracted without the use of important computational power, probably in connection with computer Algebra techniques. This paper presents an analysis, the aim of which is to indicate the approach of the global instability in the pre-focal area. Non-linear characteristics are studied by applying two techniques, namely the Correlation Dimension Estimation and the Approximate Entropy. These two non-linear techniques present coherent conclusions, and could cooperate with an independent fractal spectral analysis to provide a detection concerning the emergence of the nucleation phase of the impending catastrophic event. In the context of similar mathematical background, it would be interesting to augment this description of pre-seismic electromagnetic anomalies in order to cover biological crises, namely, epileptic seizure and heart failure.

This book benefits from the emergence of bioethics as it has evolved from its clinical roots to address policy, politics, and social practice far removed from that origin. It situates terrorism and bioterrorism in the field of ethical inquiry. Finally, it treats the catastrophic event as a category or genre and so enables us to enrich inquiry by ranging from hurricane and flood to terrorist attack

Catastrophic events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks can cost millions if not billions of dollars in damages. In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina decimated Mississippi's Gulf Coast and southeastern Louisiana. Many local governments lost facilities, equipment, vehicles, employees, and so on to the storm. In addition, many local government employees lost their homes, friends, coworkers, or family members, and they witnessed the evacuation of their families to other parts of the country. In this article, the authors use Phases 3 and 4 (response and recovery) of the Emergency Management Framework to analyze local governments' human resource management efforts following Hurricane Katrina. Under normal circumstances, human resource issues such as payroll, recruitment, and retention can be mundane. Managing human resources following a catastrophic event, however, can present challenges for the most mundane tasks.

Disasters and catastrophes defined -- Organizing for disasters -- Preparedness planning for catastrophe (pre-incident) -- Responding : you're in this alone -- Leadership in action -- Recovery : the good, the bad and the ugly -- Financial planning for catastrophic events -- Financial actions during and after the catastrophe -- What's in our future? -- Devastation on Galveston Island : the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and Hurricane Ike / an interview with David L. Callender and Michael J. Megna -- A new era of terrorism : JFK Medical Center and the first anthrax exposure / an interview with Phillip D. Robinson -- Flooding in the lone star state : Texas Children's Hospital and Tropical Storm Allison / an interview with Randall Wright -- Disasters in Arkansas / an interview with Angela l. Richmond, Kirk Reamey, and Beth Ingram -- An early careerist's perspective of disaster preparedness / an interview with Windsor Westbrook Sherrill

Even before the wreckage of a disaster is cleared, one question is foremost in the minds of the public: What can be done to prevent this from happening again? Today, news media and policymakers often invoke the lessons of September 11 and the lessons of Hurricane Katrina. Certainly, these unexpected events heightened awareness about problems that might have contributed to or worsened the disasters, particularly about gaps in preparation. Inquiries and investigations are made that claim that lessons were learned from a disaster, leading us to assume that we will be more ready the next time a si

An introduction to the range of potential disaster scenarios, covering the issues and organizational relationships of importance to the student of consequence management. These include the roles, responsibilities, and coordination requirements of first responders, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and the military