UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 24, Page 3
March 16, 1995
Recently published; Book on disasters honors center's founder

     A new book honors the founder and former director of the
University Disaster Research Center (DRC), Enrico L. Quarantelli.
Entitled Disasters, Collective Behavior and Social Organization, the
book is edited by Russell R. Dynes, research professor, and Kathleen
J. Tierney, research director, both of DRC.
     Published by the University of Delaware Press, the book is a
compilation of essays that presents an overview of disaster research
by colleagues and former students who have been influenced by
Quarantelli's leadership in the field.
     According to Dynes and Tierney, Quarantelli has an international
reputation in this relatively new field within the larger framework of
sociology. He helped found and became president of the International
Sociological Association's Research Committee on Disasters and has
served on the Board on Natural Disasters of the National Academy of
Sciences. His work has been translated into numerous languages, and he
has been instrumental in gaining recognition for the importance of
social science research for disaster policy. He now serves as a DRC
research professor.
     Although disasters through the ages have attracted attention and
discussion, the systematic study of disasters began after World War
II. DRC, the first of its kind in the world, was founded in the 1963
at Ohio State University and moved to Delaware in 1985. It has carried
out more than 530 field studies, focusing on how people, organizations
and society react and respond to catastrophes.
     "In situations like disasters, in which behavior appears
unpatterned, chaotic and disorganized, Quarantelli has looked more
closely...looking for continuity, not morbidity; for order, not
disorder," according to the editors.
     As contributor Gary T. Marx wrote, Quarantelli "has given us
insights into processes of ordinary behavior by looking at
extraordinary situations."
     The book is divided into two sections-"Disaster Research" and
"Collective Behavior and Social Movements"-with introductions by the
editors.
     Some of the chapters discuss disasters and collective behavior
within the framework of specific events. One chapter revisits the
collapse of the Indianapolis Coliseum in the early 1960s, which was
the first formal project undertaken by DRC. Another discussed the
explosion of a ship in Halifax harbor in 1917, applying contemporary
theories to archival sources of the past. Another chapter examines the
1977 fire at the Beverly Hills Supper Club in Cincinnati, in which 165
people were killed.
     The findings of DRC show that, contrary to popular belief, during
disaster, social bonds and ties are maintained and do not break down,
Tierney and Dynes said. Disasters tend to pull people together, and
there can be a massive volunteer effort.
     As they write in the foreword, "although no one will deny that
disasters are personally unsettling... family units do not disintegrate
nor do traditional community organizations abandon their traditional
helping roles. In fact... what others call trauma, victims see as
positive learning experiences. Although disaster brings suffering,
that 'suffering' is more collective and public than predisaster
suffering, which is isolating and private."
     The sociological research into disasters also has implications
for public policy and practical applications. By studying warning
systems, communication and preparedness by emergency units and relief
agencies in the past, lessons can be learned to improve the response
when future disasters occur.
     For example, it was believed by some that giving warning and
information about pending disasters, such as floods, can cause panic,
but research has shown that is not the case. People respond reasonably
when they understand what is happening. Information should be
specific-not just "go to high ground," but directions on where to go
and how to get there. Communication between hospitals and emergency
units is essential in caring for those in crisis situations, and
procedures should be established for emergency response in preparation
for disasters.
     The book also looks at the long-term effects of a disaster, in
such areas as housing.
     In addition to carrying out field research, the Disaster Research
Center maintains a large data archive that is a valuable resource for
scholars from around the world. It also publishes and makes available
a series of books, monographs and reports on disaster research that
can be purchased directly from the center.
     University of Delaware Press books are available at the
University Bookstore.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure