Bridge building within emergency management communities: Successes, pitfalls, and future challenges

Thomas E. Drabek, PhD

doi:10.5055/jem.2009.0017

Authors

Thomas E. Drabek, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.2009.0017

Keywords:

emergency management cultures, bridge building, fragmentation, challenges

Abstract

Despite increased nurturing efforts, emergency management continues to reflect excessive fragmentation. Individuals remain locked within differing subcultural groups, eg, researchers vs practitioners and homeland security vs emergency management orientations. Too often they ask: “Why don’t you listen to me?” Important lessons can be learned from past bridge building efforts. The successes and failures of six specific efforts are summarized. Then, three of the most significant future challenges confronting emergency management within the United States are identified.Wisdom from the past must be applied to these challenges.

Author Biography

Thomas E. Drabek, PhD

John Evans Professor and Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology and Criminology, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado.

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