Disaster Policy and Politics: Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Disaster Policy and Politics combines evidence-based research with mini-case studies of recent events to demonstrate the fundamental principles of emergency management and to explore the impact that disasters have had on U.S. policy. Paying special attention to the role of key actors―decision makers at the federal, state, and local levels; scientists; engineers; civil and military personnel; and first responders―author Richard Sylves explores how researchers contribute to and engage in disaster policy development and management.

The highly anticipated Fourth Edition explores the radical change in policy and politics after the occurrence of recent disasters. The book’s comprehensive "all-hazards" approach introduces students to the important public policy, organizational management, and leadership issues they may need as future practitioners and leaders in the field.

Richard Sylves is professor of political science at the University of Delaware. He has served on a National Academy of Science, National Research Council panel, and he has done funded and unfunded research for FEMA. He served three years as an appointed member of the National Academy of Science Disaster Roundtable. His books include The Nuclear Oracles; Disaster Management in the United States and Canada: Politics, Policy, Administration, Study and Instruction of Emergency Management; Cities and Disaster: North American Studies in Emergency Management (with William Waugh); and Homeland Security and Emergency Management: A Public Budgeting Perspective.