Mutual Aid


Book Description

Mutual aid is the radical act of caring for each other while working to change the world. Around the globe, people are faced with a spiralling succession of crises, from the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change-induced fires, floods, and storms to the ongoing horrors of mass incarceration, racist policing, brutal immigration enforcement, endemic gender violence, and severe wealth inequality. As governments fail to respond to—or actively engineer—each crisis, ordinary people are finding bold and innovative ways to share resources and support the vulnerable. Survival work, when done alongside social movement demands for transformative change, is called mutual aid. This book is about mutual aid: why it is so important, what it looks like, and how to do it. It provides a grassroots theory of mutual aid, describes how mutual aid is a crucial part of powerful movements for social justice, and offers concrete tools for organizing, such as how to work in groups, how to foster a collective decision-making process, how to prevent and address conflict, and how to deal with burnout. Writing for those new to activism as well as those who have been in social movements for a long time, Dean Spade draws on years of organizing to offer a radical vision of community mobilization, social transformation, compassionate activism, and solidarity.




From Mutual Aid to the Welfare State


Book Description

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, more Americans belonged to fraternal societies than to any other kind of voluntary association, with the possible exception of churches. Despite the stereotypical image of the lodge as the exclusive domain of white men, fraternalism cut across race, class, and gender lines to include women, African Americans, and immigrants. Exploring the history and impact of fraternal societies in the United States, David Beito uncovers the vital importance they had in the social and fiscal lives of millions of American families. Much more than a means of addressing deep-seated cultural, psychological, and gender needs, fraternal societies gave Americans a way to provide themselves with social-welfare services that would otherwise have been inaccessible, Beito argues. In addition to creating vast social and mutual aid networks among the poor and in the working class, they made affordable life and health insurance available to their members and established hospitals, orphanages, and homes for the elderly. Fraternal societies continued their commitment to mutual aid even into the early years of the Great Depression, Beito says, but changing cultural attitudes and the expanding welfare state eventually propelled their decline.







California


Book Description

"By its size, fire intensity, and institutional responses, California has long shaped the national agenda for wildland fire. From its early days, California decided for fire suppression. How and why this happened is the subject of this fire reconnaissance of America's Golden State for fire"--Provided by publisher.







Social Engineering


Book Description

Social engineering in the 20th century has brought about some large-scale changes in society, often the result of visionary social projects, and plans designed on a grand and ideal scale. Such plans have often extracted terrible human costs. Numerous failures have marked 20th century social engineering.




Disaster Medicine


Book Description

Written by more than 30 emergency physicians with first-hand experience handling medical care during disasters, this volume is the only single comprehensive reference on disaster medicine. It provides the information that every emergency department needs to prepare for and handle the challenges of natural and manmade disasters. The contributors present guidelines for assessing the affected population's health care needs, establishing priorities, allocating resources, and treating individuals. Coverage encompasses a wide range of natural, industrial, technologic, transportation-related, and conflict-related disasters, with examples from around the world. This edition has more illustrations and more information on weapons of mass destruction and explosions.







Introduction to Transportation Security


Book Description

Providing students and industry managers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively manage the security of transportation assets, Introduction to Transportation Security, Second Edition examines: The core concepts of security, safety, and emergency management practices The integrated nature of the U.S.critical infrastructure and the threats to intermodal transportation Those federal agencies working in emergency management, hazmat response, and transportation security and their intelligence and response requirements and capabilities Cost-beneficial security strategies aimed at preventing catastrophic failures from disasters or intentional sabotage or attack in each transportation mode Transportation is the lifeline of any nation, connecting people, supporting the economy, and facilitating the delivery of vital goods and services. Past failures and terrorist attacks on such transportation systems, in the U.S. and abroad, have demonstrated such systems' vulnerability, the consequences of any potential damage and disruption, as well as the substantial impacts on people, property, and the economy. Now, more than ever, it has become imperative for public transit and transportation systems, as well as the many private businesses operating in these sectors, to develop comprehensive security programs. This includes accounting for both natural and man-made hazards—and safeguarding people, places, and equipment—while at the same time ensuring operations continuity. The book covers all transportation critical infrastructure—their modes and their interconnectivity—including highway, air, freight and passenger rail, transit, maritime, and pipeline security. Chapters provide learning objectives, key words, and discussion questions pedagogical elements as well as several case studies to facilitate a practical understanding of the concepts presented. New to this edition is a chapter dedicated to gas and oil pipelines as well as an increased focus throughout of recent cyberattacks, to emphasize the need for physical and cybersecurity integration. Introduction to Transportation Security, Second Edition serves as a comprehensive, practical overview for students in transportation management, homeland security, and emergency management programs as well as an up-to-date reference for professionals charged with safeguarding the movement of assets within our interconnected transportation network.