Critical Perspectives in Emergency Services Management makes an important contribution to the subject of emergency services management and to public administration and organization studies more generally. It critically assesses developments in emergency services management by examining the multi-dimensional nature of the provision of emergency services and their connectedness in advanced western democracies. The effective management of emergency services has never been more important than in today's high-pressured and cost-conscious public sector. The authors of this volume forensically analyse the challenges of delivering emergency services within this context. This book provides an in-depth, scholarly and comprehensive analysis of the changing landscape of emergency service provision and clearly addresses a gap in the market for a critical volume on the emergency services. For anyone seeking to understand why and how the management of emergency services matters, this collection is essential reading.

This book presents an evaluation framework for assessing the impact of the new media on the health care system by juxtaposing characteristics of emerging information and communication technologies (interactive, seamlessly connected, and user-driven) and health care objectives (to increase access, improve quality, and manage costs). Each chapter provides a unique set of tools and perspectives on how to harness these new media to improve individual health and the health care delivery system. This innovative volume has also stimulated the creation of a "Forum on Health and the New Media" on the World Wide Web (http: //Health.Dartmouth.edu/NewMedia/). The forum offers highlights of the book as well as links to the authors and related web sites.
The volume is divided into six sections as follows:
*The "Overview" juxtaposes characteristics of the new media (interactive, connected, and user-driven) with the three criteria for health care improvement: increased access, improved quality, and cost management. It offers a New Media and Health Care matrix of criteria for building and evaluating emerging health care systems.
*The "Delivery" -- how new media can enhance the delivery of health care -- includes chapters on: managed care, demand management and self-care, telemedicine for rural residents, and how the Internet can be used to facilitate collaboration among health researchers and providers.
*Health Information -- the life blood of health care -- addresses the potential for: extending the traditional flow of health information (from researchers to providers) to reach patients who want to share in decisions about their care; and the federal government's role in providing health information to the public.
*Health Education discusses: integrating multimedia health programming for public schools; using networked multimedia and simulation technologies and new learning theories that promise to transform public health education; and educating health providers and patients through interactive media and drama.
*Potholes Along the Highway provides a sobering balance to otherwise rather optimistic assumptions that a national information infrastructure will be forthcoming.
*The New Media: Annotated Glossary provides computing and networking technology tools for readers who are not fluent in cyberlanguage.

With the tragic airline disaster in New York City, on September 11th, 2001, the subject of emergency communications has become very important. This work is intended to provide an in-depth exposure to authorized emergency communications. These communications generally involve preferential treatment of signalling and/or data to help ensure forwarding of information through a network. investigations using Next Generation Networks (IP based communications). The information acts as a reference for network designers, network vendors, and users of authorized emergency communications services. The book is divided into three sections. The first describes systems and protocols that have been deployed as private networks for use by government agencies like the US Department of Defense. This section also presents an in-depth discussion on MLPP. We then present current work in the area of Land Mobile Radio, commonly used by local emergency personnel such as police and firemen. This second section also describes systems that have been deployed over the public switched telephone network. Finally, the third section presents insights on trying to support emergency communications over TCP/IP networks and the Internet. In this last item we look into what IETF protocols can be considered candidates for change, as well as those protocols and applications that should not be altered.

Managed care is rapidly making traditional marketing strategies for mental health services obsolete. Here is the definitive book that helps professionals understand contemporary market forces and how to reshape marketing strategies in an increasingly competitive environment. Marketing Mental Health Services to Managed Care begins by demystifying the seemingly bewildering world of managed care systems. It enables the reader to become a fully informed partner in providing services for managed care systems. In an era in which many professionals are affiliated with one or more managed care networks, this book guides clinicians toward greater control of their professional futures by providing the steps necessary to develop a successful managed care oriented practice strategy. It will be especially helpful to the newcomer to practice in the 1990s or the seasoned practitioner interested in increasing referrals from managed care systems. Readers of this highly practical new book learn how to analyze the market for clinical services, how to plan and develop services for the managed care market, and how to sell professional services in an era dominated by active payor entities.The increased importance of automation, group practices, and effective office management skills are discussed. Although of particular value to outpatient practitioners, Marketing Mental Health Services to Managed Care also discusses marketing strategies and revenue generating ideas for inpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment facilities. Program managers, administrators, and marketing professionals in the hospital industry will find this book a valuable investment. Of special interest to all readers are chapters addressing the impact of managed care systems--with their focus on accountability, cost-effectiveness, and quality--upon traditional clinical paradigms. Brief therapy skills and techniques are discussed by these two veteran clinicians and writers. Emerging clinical innovations and effective reimbursement strategies are also discussed in this remarkable new book. A resource section, managed care company directory, and a glossary of terms make this a practical guidebook of long-lasting value to professionals from many disciplines.College professors and graduate students will also find Marketing Mental Health Services to Managed Care a valuable introduction to marketing professional services in the managed care dominated marketplace for healthcare today.

This book contains general recommendations for site clearing after man-made and natural disasters. It provides guidelines on the demolition of damaged structures and the reuse of demolition and construction materials. It has been prepared by an international task force originating from cooperation between RILEM and UNESCO. The book provides guidance for professionals and organizations on this increasingly important subject of disaster planning.

Despite educational efforts, the majority of Americans are still under the misconception that they are not at risk from HIV/AIDS infection. In addition, the federal government only spends 2% of the total designated federal AIDS funding toward prevention. Thus, information in respect to AIDS and health communication in any comprehensive nature is almost nonexistent.; This book aims to rectify the situation by presenting detailed analysis and actions necessary to confront the AIDS pandemic on every level of the communication realm. Contributors are experienced researchers, educators, government officials, and physicians. They examine the issue from a number of standpoints, including: communication, adolescent medicine, public administration, psychology, journalism, audiology, speech and language pathology, neurological surgery, preventive medicine and public health.

Around the world, extreme weather events are becoming increasingly "the new normal" and are expected to increase in the 21st century as a result of climate change. Extreme weather events have devastating impacts on human lives and national economies. This book examines ways to protect people from hazards using early warning systems, and includes contributions from experts from four different continents representing 14 different universities, 8 government agencies and two UN agencies. Chapters detail critical components of early warning systems, ways to identify vulnerable communities, predict hazards and deliver information. Unique satellite images illustrate the transnational impact of disasters, while case studies provide detailed examples of warning systems. With contributors from the fields of economics, ethics, meteorology, geography and biology, this book is essential reading for anyone interested in disaster risk reduction or climate change.

What are the political forces which drive the process of change in the health service? How do these forces impact on existing structures of power, policy and organisation? In addressing these questions, Brian Salter applies an original theory of political change to key areas of NHS activity. He shows how the escalating demand for health care combined with recent radical policy initiatives has posed different problems for politicians, doctors, bureaucrats and managers. Out of the accommodations reached, a new shape has emerged for the NHS.

This book assesses critically the British approach to hazard management and emergency planning. It identifies the principal legal, organizational and cultural impediments to more effective hazard management and emergency planning, postulates explanations for the shortcomings in the British approach and examines a number of promising avenues for improving current practice. It comprises 18 chapters written by experts with a wide range of practical experience in the many different aspects of the field. Many of the authors introduce international perspectives and comparisons. From it all, the editors conclude, sadly: 'The overall hazard and emergency management approach currently adopted in Britain appears to be inadequate and current standards of protection appear to be inefficient for the 1990s and beyond'

The Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear incidents emphasized the need for the world-wide nuclear community to cooperate further and exchange the results of research in this field in the most open and effective manner. Recognizing the roles of heat and mass transfer in all aspects of fission-product behavior in sever reactor accidents, the Executive Committee of the International Centre for Heat and Mass Transfer organized a Seminar on Fission Product Transport Processes in Reactor Accidents. This book contains the eleven of the lectures and all the papers presented at the seminar along with four invited papers that were not presented and a summary of the closing session.

Radioactive sources such as nuclear power installations can pose a great threat to both humans and our environment. How do we measure, model and regulate such threats? Environmental Radioactivity and Emergency Preparedness addresses these topical questions and aims to plug the gap in the lack of comprehensive literature in this field. The book explores how to deal with the threats posed by different radiological sources, including those that are lost or hidden, and the issues posed by the use of such sources. It presents measurement methods and approaches to model and quantify the extent of threat, and also presents strategies for emergency preparedness, such as strategies for first-responders and radiological triage in case an accident should happen. Containing the latest recommendations and procedures from bodies such as the IAEA, this book is an essential reference for both students and academicians studying radiation safety, as well as for radiation protection experts in public bodies or in the industry.

The true story--told with heart-pounding action and heart-melting romance--of a heroic firefighter forced to confront an emergency even he can't handle: saving himself. Jason Sautel had it all. Confident in his abilities, trusted by his firefighting brothers, and nationally recognized for his heroism, he was making a name for himself on the mean streets of Oakland, California. There was no emergency he couldn't handle, and his adrenaline-fueled job helped him forget the suicidal thoughts of his dark childhood . . . until the day he looked into the eyes of a jumper on the Bay Bridge and came face to face with an evil he recognized in his own heart. In the following months, a series of traumatic emergency calls--some successful, others haunting failures--drove Jason into a deep depression. Even as he threw himself into his work as the model firefighter, he sank deeper and deeper, realizing he could never rescue everyone . . . or even save himself. Just as he was ready to take his own life, Jason began to see hints of hope: the relentless power of love. Packed with dramatic action and romance, vulnerability and inspiration, The Rescuer is a compelling story of courage, faith, redemption, and the one Person who really can rescue us from the darkness.

Seen through the eyes of four generations of a firefighter family, Five Floors Up is on one level the story of the modern New York City Fire Department. From the days just after the horse-drawn firetruck, to the devastation of the 1970s when the Bronx was Burning, to the unspeakable tragedy of 9/11, to the culture-busting department of today, a Feehan has worn the shoulder patch of the FDNY. The tale especially shines the spotlight on the career of William M. Feehan. "Chief" Feehan is only person to have held every rank in the FDNY including being New York City's 28th Fire Commissioner. He died in the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. But Five Floors Up is at root an intimate look at a firefighter clan, the selflessness and bravery of not only those who face the flames, but the family members who stand by their sides. Alternately humorous and harrowing, rich with anecdotes and meticulously researched and reported, Five Floors Up takes us inside a world few of us truly understand, and documents an era that is quickly passing us by.

Enables workplace responders to prepare for and respond to falls from height How do you rescue someone suspended in midair or trapped above ground? Author Loui McCurley, an expert in technical rope rescue with more than twenty-five years of experience, has the answers. Following her tested and proven advice, readers will learn how to prepare for and safely rescue "at-height" workers and others from "falls from height." The book fully bridges the gap between planning and execution, steering readers toward simple workplace-specific solutions. Moreover, it explains how to develop and implement a comprehensive protection program, enabling all organizations and their employees to fully prepare themselves to respond to a fall from height. Falls from Height is divided into four parts: *Part I: Regulatory Considerations, Rescue Plans, and Developing a Rescue Capability underscores the need for a rescue program, explaining how to fully leverage available resources to optimize the program. *Part II: Equipment, Systems, and Skills details the skills that all rescuers should have and the equipment they need to perform a rescue at height. *Part III: Putting It All Together discusses principles of rigging, single-rescuer methods, and group-rescuer methods. *Part IV: Successful Workplace Planning examines the unique challenges of different workplace environments and then offers a step-by-step guide for implementing the book's recommendations. Based on the premise that a fallen worker must be rescued quickly and efficiently, without putting others in harm's way, Falls from Height is a must for all workplace responders, enabling them to prepare for and respond to fall victims like experienced rescuers.

This volume makes a significant contribution to the crisis management literature. It also adds to our inchoate understanding of network governance: temporary teams and task forces, communities of practice, alliances, and virtual organizations. It hints that the distinction between networks and organizations may be somewhat spurious, a matter of degree rather than kind. Indeed, it seems that this distinction may derive more from mental models in which we consistently reify organizations than anything else. Finally, the volume emphasizes the functional importance of leadership in network governance and puzzles over its provision in the absence of hierarchy. As such, it adds to the contributions made by Marc Granovetter (1973), John Seeley Brown and Paul Duguid (1991), Bart Nooteboom (2000), Paul J. DiMaggio (2001), John Arquilla and David Ronfeldt (2001), Laurence O'Toole and Ken Meier (2004), and others, as well as Nancy Roberts' seminal work on wicked problems and hastily formed teams. The result is a product the editor and the contributors can be proud of. Overall, it is one that will edify, surprise, and delight its readers.

Animals in Disasters is a comprehensive book on animal rescue written by Dr. Dick Green who shares his experiences, best practices and lessons learned from well over 125 domestic and international disasters. It provides a step-by-step process for communities and states to more effectively address animal issues and enhance their animal response capabilities. Sections include an overview of the history of animal rescue, where we are today, and the steps needed to better prepare for tomorrow. This how-to book for emergency managers who want to develop programs, craft policy, and build response capability/capacity is an ideal companion to their work.

Concise expert guide to important business research topic Summarises the state of the art in available and emerging research Includes references to key research publications in the field

Integrating Emergency Management and Disaster Behavioral Health identifies the most critical areas of integration between the profession of emergency management and the specialty of disaster behavioral health, providing perspectives from both of these critical areas, and also including very practical advice and examples on how to address key topics. Each chapter features primary text written by a subject matter expert from a related field that is accompanied by a comment by another profession that is then illustrated with a case study of, or a suggested method for, collaboration.

Is emergency management education undoing an age-old tradition in the American Fire Service? Has the time arrived to educate emergency managers in college classrooms rather than in twenty years of tactical operations experience? Over one hundred forty-three (143) institutions of higher education are now offering certificate or degree programs in emergency management with no tactical operations experience required for admission. Resistance by veteran law enforcement officers and fire fighters may have to be overcome if we are to prepare emergency managers with required skill sets. Dr. Tom Phelan explores the skills being taught to emergency management students and addresses the concerns of experienced first responders in accepting their leadership.
*Discusses the value of emergency management education in the post-9/11 world
*Makes clear the need for educating emergency managers to prepare them for emergency manager leadership
*Helps bridge the gap between emergency management and first responders
*Should be required reading in every college emergency management curriculum
*The book is clear, concise, and an "easy read"

Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia presents the latest information on the intensity and frequency of disasters. Specifically, the fact that, in urban areas, more than 50% of the world's population is living on just 2% of the land surface, with most of these cities located in Asia and developing countries that have high vulnerability and intensification. The book offers an in-depth and multidisciplinary approach to reducing the impact of disasters by examining specific evidence from events in these areas that can be used to develop best practices and increase urban resilience worldwide. As urban resilience is largely a function of resilient and resourceful citizens, building cities which are more resilient internally and externally can lead to more productive economic returns. In an era of rapid urbanization and increasing disaster risks and vulnerabilities in Asian cities, Urban Disasters and Resilience in Asia is an invaluable tool for policy makers, researchers, and practitioners working in both public and private sectors.

This book uses the case of the National Health Service to examine the management of ambiguity and change. Studies of the implementation of the Griffiths Report have identified a number of unintended consequences, but it is argued that they have not adequately theorised these outcomes in the policy implementation process. It is suggested that the process-sociological approach of Elias, and in particular his game models, enable us to better understand the complex interweaving of planned and unplanned processes which is involved in the management of change.