Perspectives - Timelines Disasters 1978-2008 Terrorism...

Timelines
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Disasters 1978-2008
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Terrorism 1993-2006
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Hundred years 1900-2005
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Canadian disasters

Discussion Questions
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Why do we need professional emergency
managers?
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What should professional emergency
managers know? What is the body of
knowledge that they should have?
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What should be the public’s responsibility?
[72-hour kits, earthquake and avalanche
kits, etc.]

Disasters and Public Policy
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Science – understanding hazards, risks, and
potential to mitigate damage
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Politics – vested interests in status quo and
in change, a right to safety and security?
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Issue salience – getting officials and the
public to understand risks and the need to
address them and to trust officials
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“Focusing events”and “windows of
opportunity “
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“CNN effect” – perception is everything and
the media shapes perceptions

Some of the deadliest natural disasters in the
past 40 years (AP, May 23, 2008)
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May 12, 2008: Earthquake (mag 7.9) hits Sichuan
province in central China. More than 55,000 are killed
and nearly 25,000 remain missing.