The existing framework for assessing damage after a nuclear attack is outdated and insufficient for modern disaster relief. This analysis examines the procedures, systems, and organizations involved in disaster effects reporting, highlighting their origins in mid-1960s Cold War concerns. It argues that while the threat of massive nuclear attack has diminished, the need for comprehensive information to support presidential and gubernatorial disaster relief operations remains critical. The author proposes a new architecture designed to be more effective than current reporting methods.

This book addresses a critical gap in disaster preparedness by re-evaluating established reporting architectures. The analysis focuses on the practical needs of decision-makers during major disasters, suggesting a modernization of Cold War-era systems. The proposed new architecture aims to provide more effective and comprehensive information for disaster relief operations. The work is likely to be of interest to policymakers, emergency management professionals, and those involved in national security.