Why is first hand natural disaster investigation experience important; cant engineers get the same knowledge from reading reports?
(A) Certainly, study of written reports summarizing past events is critical. In fact this is necessarily the only way to review the findings from some historical events. However, there is no substitute for first hand experience. First hand investigations allow engineers to observe both effective and ineffective design methods along side each other. Older historical systems can be observed (some of which perform well). The emergency response issues are best observed on the ground. Social issues and the effects of displaced occupants and buildings can be seen directly. Interviews of persons at damaged sites may be done.
