Kreps, Gary A.2005-05-112005-05-111973http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/1261The Watts riot and those that followed had a tremendous impact upon contemporary American communities. Civil disturbances became defined as an urban problem of significant magnitude. Though the underlying causes of the phenomenon were exceedingly complex a civil disturbance event became a distinct emergency for a community. For many community organizations, such as police and fire departments, the problems emanating from civil disturbances fell directly within their organizational domain (Warheit and Quarantelli, 1969). For example, if the protection of life and property and the maintenance of law is an organizational mandate, these objectives often become problematic during an emergency of this nature.6404161 bytesapplication/pdfen-USDecision MakingCivil DisturbanceUrban PoliceFire DepartmentsOther