title: Research and Evaluations of the Health Aspects of Disasters, Part III: Framework for the Temporal Phases of Disasters.
abstract: Each of the elements described in the Conceptual Framework for disasters has a temporal designation; each has a beginning and end time. The Temporal Framework defines these elements as phases that are based on characteristics rather than on absolute times. The six temporal phases include the: (1) Pre-event; (2) Event; (3) Structural Damage; (4) Functional Damage (changes in levels of functions of the Societal Systems); (5) Relief; and (6) Recovery phases. Development is not a phase of a disaster. The use of the Temporal Framework in studying and reporting disasters allows comparisons to be made between similar phases of different disasters, regardless of the hazard involved and/or the community impacted. For research and evaluation purposes, assessments, plans, and interventions must be described in relation to the appropriate temporal phase.
authors.affiliation: 1Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Physiology,School of Medicine and Public Health,University of Wisconsin,Madison,Wisconsin USA; Emeritus Editor-in-Chief, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine.
authors.forename: Marvin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.affiliation: 2Nursing Section Editor, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine;Executive Secretary,World Association for Disaster and Emergency Medicine,Madison,Wisconsin USA.
authors.forename: Elaine K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Daily
authors.affiliation: 3Assistant Professor,Division of General Surgery,Department of Surgery,School of Medicine and Public Health,University of Wisconsin,Madison,Wisconsin USA.
authors.forename: Ann P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
mesh_terms: D004189:Disaster Planning; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D012066:Relief Work; D012106:Research
keywords: damage; disaster; epidemiology; level of function; pre-event; recovery; relief; temporal phases