Abstract
This chapter explores the phenomenon of heroism in the context of behavioural responses to disaster. Drawing on social, scientific, media, and health and safety sources, it reflects on the impact and consequences of being labelled a ‘hero’. Consideration is given to the implications of heroism for the emergency services arising from recent cultural and legal developments within the UK. This chapter calls for a more informed understanding and debate about the meaning and implications of heroism in disasters.
An earlier version of this paper was published in the International Fire Service Journal of Leadership and Management, Volume 8, p7–16 (ISSN 1554-3439). We are grateful for permission to include it in this volume.
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Notes
- 1.
In this chapter, the terms ‘major emergency’ and ‘disaster’ are used interchangeably to refer to large-scale incidents placing life and/or property in danger, often involving multiple casualties and/or fatalities and likely requiring multi-agency response and assistance.
- 2.
For example, an online game produced by the US Department of Homeland Security/FEMA claims to equip players with all the information, tips and resources needed to prepare them to be ‘a real-life Disaster Hero’ in the aftermath of natural disaster or a man-made disaster. (http://www.disasterhero.com/)
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Eyre, A. (2018). The Making of a Hero: An Exploration of Heroism in Disasters and Implications for the Emergency Services. In: Murphy, P., Greenhalgh, K. (eds) Fire and Rescue Services. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62155-5_8
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