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Preparedness And Logistical Issues Of Emergency Preparedness Essay

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Preparedness / Logistical Issues It is generally understood that each type of disaster requires a specific type of response. In the last twenty years floods and storms caused approximately fifty five percent of all worldwide natural disasters (Leeuw, Vis & Jonkman, 2012). Due to the fact, that floods are typically preceded by conditions such as heavy rains or high waters, generally it is easier to predict the possibility of flooding when compared to other natural disasters. Thus, due to the nature of floods preventive activities may be implemented that may prevent the flood form occurring. Some common practices such as filling sandbags or the use of dams are prime examples of preparatory activities. Unfortunately as demonstrated with hurricane Katrina, disaster preparedness is quite challenging. Logistics aspects of emergency preparedness are of utmost importance and consist of four phases: planning and preparation; monitoring extreme conditions; actual flooding; recovery (Leeuw, Vis & Jonkman, 2012). Flood emergency preparedness occurs in the planning and preparation phase. From previous experiences, emergency plans typically lack logistical insight. Thus, logistics must be understood and is defines as the process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient and cost effective acquisition and delivery of needed materials from the point of origin to the point of consumption (Leeuw, Vis & Jonkman, 2012). Once again, the flooding of New Orleans due to hurricane

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