Essay Questions 1-4

Instructions

1. The Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918–1919 spread worldwide and occurred in waves, resulting in the deaths of nearly five percent of the world population. Do you think your community is vulnerable to a flu pandemic today? What has your community changed since the Great Flu Pandemic of 1918–19 that affects your answer?

Your answer must be at least 300 words. No references or citations are necessary.

2. Describe a human caused disaster in your community or a community near you. Do you believe that this disaster was a result of failure of complex systems? Why, or why not? What could have been done to prevent such a disaster in the community?

Your answer must be at least 250 words. No references or citations are necessary.

3.

According to the textbook, the Federal Disaster Assistance Act of 1950 (P.L. 81-875) defined the roles and responsibilities during natural disasters. Once the President issued a disaster declaration, federal relief resources could flow to the affected areas for response and recovery. The president would then delegate administrative control of relief efforts to the Housing and Home Finance Administration. This law also instituted the federal role in natural disasters as a supportive role, while instituting primary responsibility for disaster response and recovery with local and state governments. How had this changed by 1978? Why did it change? Do you agree with the change?

Your journal entry must be at least 300 words. No references or citations are necessary.

4. The textbook describes Presidential Disaster Declarations and states that to some degree, they constitute a chronological record of the pain and suffering caused by the major focusing events that have occurred in the United States history. The process has also changed over time in an effort to make them more effective. Do you think the process for Presidential Disaster Declarations is effective, today? What would you change to make these declarations more effective?

Your journal entry must be at least 300 words. No references or citations are necessary.