NEHRP Clearinghouse
- Title
- There She Blows: The Search and Rescue Response to the Mount St. Helens Volcano.
- File
- PB83127464.pdf
- Author(s)
- Kilijanek, T. S.
- Source
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC., January 1981, 151 p.
- Abstract
- The search and rescue (SAR) response to the Mount St. Helens disaster is analyzed. An overview of past research is provided as is a description of how Washington's SAR community responds to typical SAR demands on a daily basis. Federal, state, and local disaster planning efforts and the nature of interorganizational linkages among the responding agencies are examined. Three aspects to the SAR response are discussed: (1) the sequence of events during the main SAR operation around the mountain; (2) SAR activities in the ashfall area of Moses Lake and Ritzville; and (3) preparations for a possible SAR response to future eruptions of the still active volcano. Similarities between volcanoes and earthquakes are noted. Recommendations for a more effective approach to emergency management are made, including: (1) emergency response managers should adopt an open systems perspective in both disaster planning and response; (2) Federal disaster policy should adopt a proactive approach to disaster predictions; and (3) emergency response managers should recognize the uncertainty of disaster predictions.
- Keywords
- Emergency preparedness; Emergency services; Volcanoes; Mount Saint Helens; State government; Disasters; Volcanic ejects; Rescue operations; Searching; Washington (State); Search and rescue; Moses Lake; Management; Local government