Crisis during recovery: lessons from 1904 Baltimore fire

Abstract

Purpose

A recovery crisis is an occasion when there is a subsequent calamity after a major crisis such as the recovery crisis following the 9/11 World Trade Center tragedy or the recovery crisis following the devastation in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina. Consequently, this paper seeks to focus on what can be done to prevent or limit the ill effects of a crisis during recovery.

Design /methodology/approach

An examination of the details of the great Baltimore fire of 1904 reveals why there was a crisis during their recovery; and by studying the lessons they learned, it will be evident that some of these lessons should be considered for dealing with present day recovery crises.

Findings

While many people worked together to bring the fire under control during the great Baltimore fire many of the same people fought each other in a crisis that followed the fire during the recovery of Baltimore's 70 block business district. That is, initial passions changed abruptly from working unselfishly together for the greater good during the 30‐hour fire to self‐serving actions during the rebuilding of the city. In fact, the political conflict was so stressful after the fire that Baltimore's mayor committed suicide.

Practical implications

The findings of this article focus on sound measures that should be considered today.

Originality/value

The paper is an application of historical lessons learned. The experiences described in this paper can be helpful in discussions today about crisis management.

Citation

Petersen, P.B. (2010), "Crisis during recovery: lessons from 1904 Baltimore fire", Journal of Management History, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 297-311. https://doi.org/10.1108/17511341011051216