Communications In Natural Disasters
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Date
1971-01
Authors
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