This study will investigate how people are injured and die in earthquakes and other disasters, how they are rescued, and how medical care is provided to victims. Field research will be conducted at the site of earthquakes and other natural disasters as well as some technological disasters. Particular attention will be given to situations involving building and structural collapse. At each site data will be gathered on: (1) damage to the built environment for engineering analysis, (2) casualties, (3) search and rescue activity, and (4) the provision of emergency medical services. The results should prove useful to designers working in areas subject to such environmental risks as earthquakes, to emergency medical officials confronted with planning for mass casualties, and to emergency managers involved in search and rescue planning.
