How do local governance structures and community engagement strategies influence the capacity of municipalities to withstand and recover from environmental or man-made disasters? Ashley D. Ross, an expert in public administration and emergency management, examines the intersection of institutional design and social capital. The book presents a framework for evaluating how decentralized decision-making and collaborative networks between local agencies and citizens determine the efficacy of disaster response efforts.

Experts in the field of public policy recognize this work as a rigorous examination of the complexities inherent in local disaster management. Scholars frequently cite the text for its detailed methodology and its practical application for urban planners and government officials.