ABSTRACT
We live in an age where catastrophic events often seem to be inevitable. As if worldwide wars of aggression and episodes of massive genocides were not enough during the twentieth century, the twenty-first century has already witnessed a wide range of manmade disasters because of terrorist actions. In addition, scores of floods, tsunamis, tornadoes, and other climatic events have produced mass casualties. In the United States, many disasters and mass casualty events are generally handled at the local level. At such times, the first few hours of response by the affected community will be critical. In brief, communities must look to themselves and adjoining communities for survival assistance. The formal agencies of response will be needed as well as those at the “grassroots” level. The latter consists of “community groups, such as civic organizations, religious groups, Boy/Girl Scout troops, and high school sport teams, among others. These groups provide … social support for participation in the planning and response effort that will help individuals stay engaged over time, even during times of perceived ‘low risk’ when apathy about preparedness can become pervasive” (Joint Commission 2005, v).
