The Disaster Lifecycle

In order to more closely examine the lifecycle of a disaster, researchers (Faulkner, 2001, Henderson, 2003; Ritchie, 2004) have identified different stages of a disaster. Faulkner (2001) outlined a six-stage model of a disaster lifecycle, depicted in the first column of Table 1.

The first of Faulkner’s stages is the pre-event stage, which is the period when planning and preparation are to be done. In his second stage, the prodromal stage, it becomes obvious that a disaster is on the horizon and unavoidable. The third stage is the emergency stage, when the event is unfolding and immediately following; this stage is usually characterized by search and rescue and emergency medical relief activities. During the fourth, or intermediate, stage, utilities are being restored and efforts are being made to return the community to normalcy as quickly as possible. His fifth stage, long-term or recovery, is characterized by rebuilding, reflection, and analysis: it is during this stage that the community has an opportunity to redefine or reposition itself, and can make changes to the local tourism system. Often, these changes are made with regard to sustainable development and reducing environmental impact. The final stage in Faulkner’s disaster lifecycle is resolution; routine business is restored and a new, improved state may have been achieved. In Table 1 below, Ritchie (2004) compares Faulkner’s stages with those outlined by Fink (1986) and Roberts (1994).

Table 1 Lifecycle Stages in a Disaster or Crisis

Faulkner’s (2001) Stages	Fink’s (1986) Stages	Roberts’ (1994) Stages
1. Pre-event		Pre-event: where action can be taken to prevent disasters (e.g. growth management planning or plans aimed at mitigating the effects of potential disasters)
2. Prodromal	Prodromal Stage: when it becomes apparent that the crisis is inevitable
3. Emergency	Acute Stage: the point of no return when the crisis has hit and damage limitation is the main objective	Emergency phase: when the effects of the disaster have been felt and action has to be taken to rescue people and property
4. Intermediate		Intermediate phase: when the short-term needs of the people must be dealt with—restoring utilities and essential services. The objective being at this point to restore the community to normality as quickly as possible
5. Long-term (recovery)	Chronic Stage: clean up, post mortem, self-analysis and healing	Long-term phase: continuation of the previous phase but items that could not be addressed quickly are attended to at this point (repair of damaged infrastructure, correcting environmental problems, counseling victims, reinvestment strategies, debriefings to provide input to revisions of disaster strategies)
6. Resolution	Resolution: routine restored or new improved state

Source: Ritchie (2004, p.672)

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The Disaster Lifecycle