Hazard Models - The Park Model

The Park model is also known as the disaster response curve. Its aim is to show the effects of a hazard on quality of life over a sequence of time.

Stage 1

Occurs prior to the event and shows that quality of life is at its normal equilibrium level.

Stage 2

Where the hazard occurs and, again, at this point quality of life is at normal level.

Stage 3

Where the event has happened and search and rescue is underway. Quality of life drops at this stage and stays low for several hours up to several days depending on the severity of the hazard and the level of development of the region/country.

Stage 4

Where relief strategies are underway and there is an organised programme of help. It can take a variable amount of time, from hours and days to weeks and months to reach this stage, but quality of life improves at this time.

Stage 5

Refers to long term human response; rebuilding and restoring normality. Quality of life returns to normal and in some cases can be higher than it was originally; especially if the repairs improve on the old infrastructure etc