Expecting the Unexpected - Coping with Crisis

Abstract

In this paper we identify the different ways of reacting to the impacts of disasters. We stress the advantage of pro-actively fighting disasters by means of appropriate preparation and intervention. Two of the most important support strategies are Anticipation and Crisis Science used in combination and supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Based on the 5 phases of Disaster Management we identify essential activities to be performed before, during and after a disaster and point to the necessary application of Crisis Science.