The Law of Emergencies: Public Health and Disaster Management

A working knowledge of emergency management law is essential in a wide array of fields related to disaster response and homeland security. This book features such critical issues as how to judge the extent of Constitutional authority for government to intervene in the lives and property of American citizens. At the same time, it also captures bread-and-butter issues such as responder liability and disaster relief methods. This book serves both practicing professionals and graduate and undergraduate students who wish to study the major legal principles underlying emergency management and homeland security policy and operations. It analyzes legal authority at the federal, state and local levels, placing the issues in historical context but concentrating on contemporary questions. It includes primary texts, reader-friendly expository explanation, and sample discussion questions. Prior knowledge of the law is not necessary to use and understand this text. The book is organized into 13 substantive chapters plus two additional chapters with problem sets. This makes it especially easy to use as a textbook, since it easily fits the typical 13- or 14-week semester. Each chapter can constitute one week's assignment, followed by a wrap-up, test your knowledge week (or two) using Part IV of the book (case study scenarios). At the same time, the materials are well suited for independent study. No other book brings these components together in a logically organized, step by step fashion. * Features case studies of high-risk scenarios including pandemic flu * Offers extensive analysis of law codes and legal issues from a distinguished scholar * Teaches readers how to think about issues crucial to the life and liberty to US citizens including the limits of constitutional authority