ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 outlined the evolution of thinking about disasters and the shift from a principal focus on response to a more comprehensive all-hazards approach throughout the pre-event, event and post-event continuum or the PPRR cycle. The evidence of the value of this approach is unquestioned and highlighted at the macro-community level when damage is minimised in well-structured communities, while the same event can be catastrophic in less well-developed societies. Building resilient community infrastructure and resilient communities is the best protection that may be offered to a community against the ravages of disasters. The by-product of this investment is improved living standards more generally. Of course, the latter is the more impactful on everyday society, as disasters are rare.
