Disaster Policy and Politics
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Fourth Edition
- Richard T. Sylves - University of Delaware, USA
March 2026 | CQ Press
Disaster Policy and Politics combines evidence-based research with mini-case studies of recent events to demonstrate the fundamental principles of emergency management and to explore the impact that disasters have had on U.S. policy. Paying special attention to the role of key actors—decision makers at the federal, state, and local levels; scientists; engineers; civil and military personnel; and first responders—author Richard Sylves explores how researchers contribute to and engage in disaster policy development and management.
The highly anticipated Fourth Edition explores the radical change in policy and politics after the occurrence of recent disasters. The book’s comprehensive “all-hazards” approach introduces students to the important public policy, organizational management, and leadership issues they may need as future practitioners and leaders in the field.
The highly anticipated Fourth Edition explores the radical change in policy and politics after the occurrence of recent disasters. The book’s comprehensive “all-hazards” approach introduces students to the important public policy, organizational management, and leadership issues they may need as future practitioners and leaders in the field.
Tables, Figures, and Boxes
Preface
About the Author
Chapter 1: Disaster Management in the United States
Chapter 2: Theories of Public Policy and Management Helpful in Disaster Studies
Chapter 3: A History of U.S. Disaster Policy
Chapter 4: Presidential Declarations of Major Disaster or Emergency
Chapter 5: Social Justice, Climate Change, Civil Unrest: Buffalo, NY & Portland, OR
Chapter 6: Intergovernmental Relations in Disaster Policy
Chapter 7: Civil-Military Relations and National Security
Chapter 8: FEMA in Peril
Chapter 9: The Pandemic, A Hurricane Rebuild, & Two City Burning Wildfires
Chapter 10: Conclusions and the Future
Glossary
Notes
Master Bibliography
Index
This is a textbook that provides a great amount of insight and research into a well-rounded view of emergency
management. I am not aware of any other textbook in publication which provides the background this resource does.
University of North Carolina, Wilmington
Review
This is an accessible introductory text to disaster and emergency management that can be used in undergrad and graduate courses.
SUNY Buffalo State
Review