The book on 'Disaster Preparedness' is authored by Capt. K C Monappa, a serving young army officer, who is pursuing his doctoral studies after doing his M. Sc. in Disaster Mitigation from Manipal University. The book is found to be of great value for all security professionals as in most of the cases of emergencies, they are the first responders.

Disaster management is poised today to usher in many dynamic changes in the methodology and techniques that would be used to counter the challenges disaster pose on unsuspecting mass. The effective and basic component of Disaster Management is to be PREPARED for it. In this context Capt K C Monappa has been successful in highlighting these aspects in the book authored by him titled "Disaster Preparedness".

It is a very lucid commentary on very intricate matters of disaster preparedness and disaster management. The preparedness is the key to survival in a disaster or emergency. Many societies or the industries have learnt the lesson hard way, some perished and some were at the verge of extinction soon after the disaster. The knowledge on the matter can never be 'de novo'. The highlights of the book are given below:

• Disaster assessment
• Overview of frequently occurring disaster
• Terrorism and its impact on infrastructure
• Hazard mitigation for natural and man-made disasters
• Amateur local emergency relief team (ALERT)
• Disaster fire fighting, search & rescue
• Emergency relief
• Disaster psychology

The book 's cost is Rs. 415.00 and is published by Akshay Agencies, H-15 South Extension Part I, New Delhi-110049. Phone - 011-24651697, 24646587. The Author can be contacted by email at monaps1@rediffmail.com

Reviewed by Capt. S.B. Tyagi, Chief Manager (Security), Gail (I) Ltd., New Delhi.