Disaster and Emergency Management Essay

This chapter provides an overview that describes the basic types of hazards threatening the United States and provides definitions for some basic terms such as hazards, emergencies, and disasters. The chapter also provides a brief history of emergency management in the federal government and a general description of the current emergency management system—including the basic functions performed by local emergency managers. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the all-hazards approach and its implications for local emergency management.

Emergency disaster situations can be defined in three ways accidental, natural, or wilful. An accidental disaster refers to an event which is totally unexpected such as a house fire started by an electrical fault. Similarly, an illustration of a natural disaster would be the recent earthquakes which took place in Christchurch, NZ between September 2010 and February 2011 that resulted in devastating and far reaching consequences for the country. Foremost in many minds when recollecting a wilful disaster would be the terror attacks of 9.11 in the USA. A disaster of this magnitude has never been experienced during peace time in our lifetime. This essay will examine three different aspects of rescue management procedure where reports detailing disaster and emergency response must be studied to understand and improve our handling of rescue operations.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a body under the United States Department of Homeland Security that was created in 1978 to improve the safety of the American residents, especially during disasters. FEMA has a primary mandate of coordinating the response to any disaster that may occur in the U.S. and that overwhelms both local and state authorities’ resources. FEMA comes in to aid only after the governor of the involved state has declared a state of emergency and has made a formal request. However, there is an exception to the gubernatorial declaration requirement, when an emergency occurs on a federal property such as the Space Shuttle Columbia experienced in the 2003 return-flight disaster ("About the FEMA Agency", 2016).

In “Wither the Emergency Manager,” Niel R. Britton comments on Drabek's “Human Responses to disaster: An Inventory of Sociological Findings.” Britton describes six positive and negative issues in emergency management as it is today. In this paper, we will discuss the implications on emergency management as a field and on the individual manager.

“Your County Manager has just gone to a federally sponsored program on getting volunteers to support the management and administrative side of disaster and recovery portions of emergency management.

Why the Emergency Management Program you may ask? Well, I’m not certain how to answer that question myself. I do know however, that I want to make a difference in this world. I have always been a confidant to both friends and strangers alike and helped out in any situation, whether its listening to my peers or just providing moral support. I guess you could say its in my nature, which is one of the many reasons why I choose this field. Ever since the disasters of Katrina and 9/11 I have found myself fascinated by the way the world is evolving in particular areas such counter-terrorism and disaster relief. I find the response of each country/culture unique in its on way because if you closely observe their responses, they each provide insight into their cultures by their actions.

Social media has now become a part of our modern day society and has a huge impact on our lives on a daily basis. Social media is the use of web and mobile-based technology to support interactive content. This content tends to be user generated and then might be promoted by other users to a new outlet or audience. Social Networking is a great

Protecting the public’s health historically has been a state and local responsibility. However, the growing threat of bioterrorism has highlighted the importance of a strong public health infrastructure to the nation’s homeland security and has focused increased attention on the preparedness of the public health system (Frist, 2011). Since the 2001 anthrax attacks Congress has passed new legislation to increase the strength of the nation’s public health system thus the funding has also rapidly increased to meet the potential demand. There is an ongoing debate however, as to what level of contribution local, state, and federal agency’s feel is an appropriate level of ongoing public health investments.

In today’s world, there has been one disaster or another, and hurricanes are one of those disasters that always happens. But, for one reason or another we are never prepared or understand the danger of any type of hurricane over a category one. Most of us have been through many hurricanes, like this learner who has lived in Miami, Fla. for over 30 years, and experienced her last hurricane which was Hurricane Andrew. Warnings are always given, first responders are trained to all ways be on alert, and FEMA is supposed to be ready to jump in once the storm has done its damage. But we can never be prepared, because hurricanes are unpredictable, and can become deadly for citizens and create millions of dollars in damages. Within this post we will discuss Hurricane Katrina, preparedness and Emergency management before and after the disaster.

Social media has provided emergency managers a new tool in their arsenal to embrace in their efforts to communicate with the public during a crisis. Technology has allowed the public access to the world via these social media applications, while they go about their busy lives. Seemingly, the public expects the government to be available in time of need through these very same social media applications. A survey conducted by the American Red Cross states that 76% of Americans expect help in less than three hours after posting a request on social media (American Red Cross, 2012). Therefore, the government sees this new media as an advantage that they need to embrace and utilize to assist the public.

This paper will discuss some of the forms of violence that occurs following disasters. Natural and man-made disasters may result in significant devastation, causing a total collapse of the affecting community, the law enforcement that oversees the community, availability of health care, the displacement of people; all are contributing factors to potential violence. The resulting impact of the affected community is significantly compounded on the most vulnerable. Emergency personnel from their subsequent agencies are faced with the reality of potential violence against themselves and the affected community. Mangers have to consider the social disruption caused by an event may increase the possibility of violence, and that a reality

In the Code of Virginia, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services currently administers a training that allows law-enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency services personnel, and dispatchers to gain knowledge on how to respond in a crisis emergency. Under the current law, first responders are required to complete mental health awareness training. House Bill 1480 amends the current bill in requiring first responders to participate in a mental health awareness program that is not facilitated by DBHDS and must maintain their training every two years (Helsel, G. C., Jr., 2017).

Technology is changing the government today as they are able to reach a wider audience. Social Media (SM) is being used more nowadays for reporting emergencies or to call for help. The American Red Cross surveyed 1,058 adults and the survey indicated that 18% of those surveyed would use social media if 911 was not working. 69% of the adults surveyed feel that emergency responders should monitor their websites and social media sites so they can respond to requests for help that are posted there. It was noted that government agencies are using web technologies and SM tools such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to monitor and respond to events which allows emergency

Social media is any website that allows social interaction. Social media is growing rapidly throughout the world. More adults and teenagers are joining sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter to interact with friends, family, and strangers. The introduction of social media has changed the world in many ways. It affects each individual in different ways. Today it can be used as a very helpful tool in changing a person’s life, but at the same time cause such conflicts which can negatively impact a person. While there are some negatives associated with social media, the positives in communication all around, has made the world stronger and a better place to live in.

Natural disasters can hit at anytime, wiping out cities and even states, wreaking havoc and taking lives. Thankfully, the American Government watches out for its citizens and tries their best to support victims of these events. Not only does the government provide public services such as natural disaster relief, but it also provides national security and helps the country to keep economic stability, all so that they can maintain social order. This is the purpose of the government. These jobs of the government make the American society a better place for the people to live, and overall a stronger country.