The Dynamics of Disaster Recovery: Resilience and Entropy in Earthquake Response Systems

摘要

The calls for "lessons learned" are widely heard following any disaster. Yet, the challenge of transforming the bitter experience gained from one devastating event into improved performance in response to the next threat is not easy. In the aftermath of disaster, changes are enacted in public policies and procedures to protect the damaged community from future threats. After action reports review operational performance and identify "lessons learned". Investments are made in new equipment and training to increase capacity of response organizations; disaster preparedness programs are initiated to inform the public in a concentrated effort to reduce disaster risk. Yet, over time, interest and action in disaster preparedness wane. Changes in resources, personnel, technologies, and organizational priorities shift the focus of the community away from.risk reduction, and the community lapses into patterns of inaction and inattention that leave it vulnerable again to known threats.