Communications In Natural Disasters

Date
1971-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Disaster Research Center
Abstract
Description
Field data collected on a sample of twenty-five natural disasters in the United States during the years 1963 through 1970 are analyzed in a summary of communication processes and problems. Communication is defined as a process in which messages are sent from one point to another, while communication structure denotes the patterned relationships among parts linked in this process. Three kinds of communication structures are examined. Internal communication refers to message transmission between points within single organizations; interorganizational communication involves messages passing between two or more separate organizations; and public-to-organization communication refers to messages received by groups from a number of individual members of the general public. In the discussions of each of these three types of communication relationships, typical problems encountered in disaster situations are mentioned, the more common ways in which communication capability is increased and demands reduced are outlined, and the most frequent changes in communication patterns initiated following involvement in an actual disaster are described. A final chapter spells out general conclusions.
Keywords
Communications, Natural Disasters, Bureaucratic Adaptations
Citation