Outlining the various roles and responsibilities that emergency managers have in today's world, the author covers many of the issue these managers encounter and provides recommendations and general guidance they can incorporate into any emergency response plan. Readers will learn about the organizational impact and actions needed to counter such natural hazards as floods, wildfires and weather disasters and such technological hazards as structural fires, hazardous materials releases, water supply contamination and acts of terrorism.

Includes index.

A history of emergency management -- Emergency management and the all-hazards approach -- The national incident management system (NIMS) and the incident command system (ICS) -- Natural hazards -- Technological hazards and terrorism -- How to manage volunteers -- Pets and emergencies -- International emergency management -- Where do we go from here? : EM issues for the future.