The aim of this research is to explore, through diverse theoretical and methodological
instruments, the issues presented above and try to elaborate a defi nition of
disaster resilience from a sociological perspective; to understand the social dynamics
present within a disaster process; to comprehend the role (technical as well as
supportive) of the Civil Protection Voluntary Service, considering that 2011 was the
International Year of Voluntary Service; and to understand response to disaster and
crisis situations by different agencies, both institutional and administrative, to
underline the role of the civil society.