Abstract
<jats:p>The increasing frequency and intensity of disasters necessitate strengthening preparedness and response capacity through active community participation. Evidence suggests that in major disasters, most live rescue operations are carried out within the first 72 hours by non-professional actors, such as relatives and neighbors, with professional teams becoming more effective in later stages. However, politicization, administrative complexity, physical barriers, and decision-making delays often hinder rapid and coordinated intervention. This chapter offers a holistic framework synthesizing the concepts of Emergent Norm Theory and Collective Activity, redefining the perception of “civil chaos” in literature as “unorganized potential”. The proposed “72-Hour Flexibility/Post-72-Hour Coordination Model” emphasizes agile, local mechanisms in the early stages, followed by unified command and organizational coordination. Furthermore, by detailing the triggers, bridging roles, and indicators that guide the transition between these two phases, it introduces a dynamic approach to disaster governance.</jats:p>