Social Science and Disaster Research Perspectives on the September 11 Attacks

1. Social Science and Disaster Research Perspectives on the September 11 Attacks Kathleen Tierney Professor, Sociology Director, Disaster Research Center University of Delaware

2. Social Science and the Study of Hazards and Disasters Long Tradition Dating from Late 1940s Significant Federal Research Investment in Hazard and Disaster Research

3. Studies in the Disaster Field Address the Entire �Hazard Cycle� Prevention and Reduction of Disaster Impacts Hazard Awareness, Planning and Preparedness Response to Disasters Recovery from Disasters

4. Research Focuses on Various Social Units Individuals Households Social Groups Organizations�Public and Private Communities Entire Societies

5. Research Spans Different Types of Disasters and Crises Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Floods Technological Disasters: Chemical Disasters, Nuclear Power Plant Accidents Community Conflict Situations: Riots Threats and Warnings: Communicating Risk, Encouraging Self-Protective Responses

6. Crisis Dimensions and Impacts Psychological/Psychosocial: Individual Psychological Responses, Mental Health Issues Health: Deaths, Injuries, Health Effects Social: Impacts on Organizations, Families, Communities

7. Crisis Dimensions and Impacts Economic: Impacts of Disasters on Businesses; Local, Regional, National Impacts Public Policy: Disaster-Related Laws, Regulations

8. September 11 in New York: Organizational and Community Response Behavioral Patterns Following Attack Consistent with Research on Community Disasters: Individual and Group Behavior Organizational Response Public Involvement

9. Challenges Common to Other Types of Disasters Warning & Evacuation Life Saving & Search and Rescue Interorganizational and Interjurisdictional Coordination Need to Address Recovery-Related Issues

10. Distinctive Aspects of September 11 Unprecedented Event High Degree of Complexity Long-Term, Ongoing, Multiple and Ambiguous Threats Very Broad and Diffuse Impacts

11. Preparing for Future Crises Applying What We Already Know: Research-Based Approaches to Managing Complex Civil Emergencies Pre-Event: Developing Effective Risk Communication Strategies and Enhancing Preparedness

12. Preparing for Future Crises Improving Post-Impact Response Management Search and Rescue Coordination of Volunteers, Donated Resources Crisis Decision-Making

13. Preparing for Future Crises Devising Recovery Strategies to Address Short- and Long-Term Impacts: Psychological & Psychosocial Impacts, Including Impacts on Vulnerable Populations Social, Economic, and Community Recovery

14. Preparing for Future Crises Integrating Findings from New Research on September 11 With What Is Already Known About Disaster and Crisis Behavior Incorporating New Knowledge Into Training and Educational Programs: Preparing a New Generation of Knowledgeable Professionals

15. Final Thoughts�. We Know More from a Social Science Perspective than Many People Think ---Thanks to Decades of Research We Need to Do More to Communicate, Transfer and Apply That Knowledge