XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology (July 15-21, 2018)

695

Emergency Services I: Responding to Disasters and Crisis

RC39 Sociology of Disasters (host committee)

Language: English

Emergency management systems face significant challenges with the increasing frequency and threat of major disasters such as natural, biological, social, technological, manmade, chemical, or environmental incidents around the globe. The possibility of facing threats and devastating consequences after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the 2005 London bombings and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident raise the questions about first responders and governmental organizations' readiness to effectively deal with large disasters and mass casualties. This session explores global hazards and the responses to them. Papers in this session will derive from multiple methodological frameworks to address organizational disaster response, the development of emergency management policy and first responders. Research on the broad range of emergency responders such as fire and rescue, police, and ambulance services as well as more specialized services such as the, nuclear incident responders, Coastguard, air-sea or mountain rescue is also welcome. In addition to current nature of emergency management system structures, this session will also welcome papers that focus on the operational management of emergency services and the related professionals and policies.