Psychological Aspects of Disaster: Issues for the 1990s

Abstract

Abstract In 1987 a series of disasters shocked the UK. For many it was the start oftheir involvement with the traumatic effects of disaster management. In response, the British Psychological Society established a working party to consider issues which might need to be addressed. Six areas were identified for consideration: prevention, planning, training, assessment and provision of services, inter-agency and professional co-operation, and the role of government. In spite of a large and growing literature on trauma and disaster management, satisfactory responses to the needs of those involved are still lacking. Lessons learned from the fire at Bradford were not effectively applied to subsequent disasters, in spite of the valiant efforts of those involved to pass on the results of their experience. This paper addresses some of those critical lessons, and suggests areas that require considered action for disaster planning in the 1990s.