Preparing communities for disasters: issues and processes for government

readiness

Presented by Summon Sultan

Introduction• preparedness is one of the key foundations in

emergency management. • Ironically, there is only a modest amount of research on

the subject. • Most of the literature in the field currently deals with the

response phase of disaster (e.g. warning, evacuation, sheltering, emergent behavior, convergence, coordination, etc.

• If we consider the devastating impact of the World Trade Center attacks in New York City and the heightened potential for further terrorist incidents in the future, it becomes apparent that effective disaster preparedness has become more necessary.

Abstract

• This paper discusses what local governments must do to prepare for various disasters, including terrorist attacks.

• It provides background information on preparedness and highlights lessons from prior research.

• It also identifies the process or component of disaster preparedness.

• recommendations to implement these preparedness measures.

• Finally, it concludes with conclusion.

Definition & Goals• Defined as actions taken in advance of a disaster to ensure

adequate response to its impacts, and the relief and recovery from its consequences—is performed to eliminate the need for any last-minute actions. (D.P.Coppola,2006,P.209)

The main goals of preparedness activities is• to foresee problems and project possible solutions

• to anticipate problems in disasters so that ways can be devised to address the problems effectively

• what to do in a disaster’s aftermath, • knowing how to do it, and

• being equipped with the right tools to do it effectively.

The preparedness processThere are numerous steps that should be taken to prepare

a community for disaster. These processes include:

• establishing emergency management ordinances; • assessing hazards, vulnerability and risks;• creating an emergency operations plan;

• developing a warning system;• identifying and acquiring resources and grants; • instituting mutual aid agreements;

• Training, exercising and • educating the public.

Findings• Most disaster plans and preparedness activities have been

based on such false assumptions (panic, exhibit antisocial behavior and will be dependent on outside agencies) of human and organizational behavior

• The crime rates drop in many disaster-affected areas.

• Most emergency plans do not cover how to deal with or assimilate emergent groups into the disaster response and recovery phases.

• The value and importance of preparedness and its processes are sometimes unknown and difficult to quantify.

Continue……..

• The preparedness literature concerns the benefit of Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs), Consists of pubic safety officers, planners, health care providers, environmental specialists, industry representatives, local government officials, representatives of schools, community action groups.

• LEPCs are responsible for conducting vulnerability analyses, preparing comprehensive emergency response plans, developing site-specific emergency plans, organizing training programs for local emergency responders, conducting drills and filing data about hazards .

Continue…….

• communities often create elaborate emergency operations plans, but they fail to develop the capability to implement these plans. In other words, a plan is written but it sits on a shelf without anyone exercising or taking time to train on its activities.

• The major contribution of LEPCs is their ability to enhance and build upon prior disaster experience.

• apathy is the biggest problem associated with planning and preparedness activities .

• paper plan syndrome.

RecommendationThis paper has identified several steps that must be taken

during the preparedness phase of emergency management.

• emergency managers and others will implement an effective preparedness program.

• community preparedness also requires leadership and professionalism, advocacy, inter-agency networking

• the use of modern technological tools.

Conclusion

• Preparedness is undoubtedly one of the key foundations in emergency management, but it has ironically not received sufficient attention in the academic literature. For this reason, we have tried review what is known about preparedness and discuss the important steps that communities must take to increase their readiness to deal with disaster.