Abstract This paper explores both past and current methods of disastermanagement when volcanic activity occurs. The paper focuses on monitoring and detection as approaches to handling potentially disastrous situations. Various methods of detection are explained, such as seismic monitoring. The author concludes that new methods offer hope for better predictions of volcanic activity, yet more must be done for disaster preparation. This is imperative in order to better predict volcanic events and save the lives of those who witness such a natural disaster.
From the Paper "Seismic monitoring is one of the most common ways to keep track of volcanic activity (Choi, 2004; Mileti, 1999). Seismometers monitor earth movement, including the earthquakes and tremors that sometimes indicate volcanic activity like underground magma movement (Choi, 2004). Though seismic activity is often linked to volcanic events successfully, not all seismic events indicate a coming eruption (Kerr, 2003). For this reason, seismometer readings do not always provide accurate predictions (Choi, 2004)."
This paper tailors a disastermanagement plan to serve as a guide in disastermanagement planning development and implementation for an insurance company in Miami.
Abstract This paper describes a disastermanagement plan for an insurance company that suffered recent losses from a hurricane. The writer details the various stages of developing a risk mitigation plan for the organization that is realistic, workable and tailored specifically to the organization. The writer explains how this process involves design, development, implementation, and dissemination to the organization stakeholders. Also integral are assessment, practice, and simulation, along a continuum of constant updating of the plan to ensure that the plan is relevant and appropriate as indicated by trending. This paper contains a figure.
Outline:
Scenario
Disaster Plan
Objective
The Need of a DisasterManagement Plan
Coordination and Integration of Networks
DisasterManagement Plan Tailored to Organization
Clearly Stated Plans Disaster Mitigation and Recovery
Simulation for Testing and Practice
Prevention, Mitigation, and Continuity of the Organization
Testing, Assessment, and Practice Following by Ongoing RM
Security in the Organization
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Also important in this plan will be the component of effective coordination with public authorities. This will involve the establishment of policies as well as procedural methods in what will serve as a continuum of collaborative interaction with the organizations: (1) employees; (2) employee's families; (3) key customers; (4) Critical suppliers; (5) owners/stockholders, and corporate management during a crisis. Execution of the plan is dependent upon first defining the problem with clarity and understanding the various roles and levels of accountabilities among the various levels of management in the organization and as well teams must be identified along with their respective responsibilities; Risk evaluation will include the examination of loss potentials or 'threats' that present to the organization which include those of the nature of: (1) natural ; (2) manmade; (3) accidental; (4) intention; (5) internal; and (6) external."
Abstract This paper considers current trends in emergency response management and mitigation in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and Hurricane Katrina. The author contends that the purpose of mitigation is to take the lessons of immediately past disasters and analyze the actions that occurred in the area of emergency management. The author further highlights several areas that affect competent disastermanagement. These include effective communication among all parties involved in the emergency response. Salient examples of failures from 9/11 and Katrina are presented. The author also argues that prevention is a necessary element of disastermanagement.
From the Paper "One of the paramount concerns that has been proven time and time again is that there is a lack of clear goals for change on the part of local, state and federal officials. The simple fact that these and other entities must work together to solve problems, in a pre-disaster and post disaster circumstance also challenges the cause of the reduction of lost life and property. All of these complex issues in combination with the limited time that agencies and individuals have to respond in an emergency situation can make the situation far worse, creating a situation often contrary to the goal of reducing loss and risk. (Mileti, 2004, pg. 236) To solve this complex issue, communication is key and mitigating the communication plans including back up forms of communication and chain of command plans as essential to changing the ways in which an emergency manager deals with a potential or realized disaster. "
Abstract This paper briefly looks into the disastermanagement practices of any given state and how the management practices can be improved to ensure that the risks and damages are minimized during the occurrence of a disaster. It focuses on the four main steps that are taken to ensure that disasters are managed effectively.
Abstract The paper discusses the options that are available to companies to manage and prevent disasters whenever possible. The paper explains that developing advance-warning systems can prevent extensive loss to life and in some cases, precautionary measures can be undertaken to prevent damages to property. The paper also shows how the best defense humans have against natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes and storm is public awareness and offering the public sufficient time for evacuation. Some aerial photos are included with the paper.
Outline:
Introduction
Tornado Trend Analysis
Confirmation of Fatalities and Injuries
Estimation of Damage to Homes, Business & Infrastructure
Debris Removal for the Purpose of Regaining
Taking Care of the People Impacted by the Tornado
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) makes provisions for federal funds to be provided on a high priority basis to help mitigate hazards at local levels. In addition, the act also calls for identification and assessment of natural disasters that can disrupt the normal functioning of governments and communities, and adversely affect individuals and families with great severity. The act defines an "Emergency" as any occasion or instant for which, in the determination of the President, federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States. (FEMA.gov, 2003)"
Abstract This paper discusses a plan to implement an emergency disastermanagement system at a large hazardous chemicals plant in New York. The author includes specific steps that need to be taken, assigns roles, instructions for emergency response, etc.
From the Paper "The plan should also contain detailed building plans of the chemical plant, so each team member knows the layout of the buildings. These layouts will include all storage areas, aisles, entrances and exits, windows; fire extinguishers, fire alarms, sprinklers, smoke/fire detectors, annunciators; shut-offs and master switches for power, water, gas, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) system, and elevator controls, etc. There should also be a detailed list of keys needed for entry to any and all buildings, and their locations."
Abstract This paper looks at how, in times of disaster, local, national, and international authorities are supposed to interfere in order to help the victims of the disaster and reduce its effects to a minimum level. However, the authorities' intervention is not always to the benefit of the population, as sometimes the interventions only increase the damage. The paper uses the examples of the Katrina hurricane and the Crandall Canyon Mine collapse to demonstrate this point, noting that, in both cases, the interference of the law enforcements increased the number of casualties. Thus, the paper argues that the need for improved capabilities to interfere in crisis situations becomes more and more obvious. This is needed not only because of the actual incapacity of the law enforcements to actually aid the victims, but also because of the shifting nature of disasters. The paper concludes that as the potential causes of disaster increase rapidly, so must the emergency management programs.
Table of Contents:
Thesis Statement
Disasters Emergency Management Standard Procedures to Follow in Case of Disasters Wrongful Emergency Management Management of Hurricane Katrina
Crandall Canyon Mine Collapse
Conclusions
From the Paper "In order to explain their failure to properly manage a disaster, authorities argue that the emergency management does not solely apply to the government and its subsidies, but to the overall population. The police explain that in crisis situations, the population panics and they have far too high demands from the local authorities. Furthermore, another argument of the law centres is that during peaceful times, the population does not engage in activities to prevent disasters, the way they should."
Tags: unreliable, social phenomenon, new orleans, second collapse, victims
Abstract This paper explains that disasters, which take the form of natural calamities or man made events, have extremely negative effects upon the population and the environment. Prevention is the best method to avoid the catastrophic outcome of a disaster; however, when prevention is not possible, the local, national and international authorities have to minimize the effects of the disaster by interfering and helping the victims. The author points out that the authorities' intervention is not always to the benefit of the population and sometimes increases the damage, such as in the case of the Katrina hurricane and the Crandall Canyon mine collapse. The paper describes standard emergency procedures.
Table of Contents:
Thesis Statement
Disasters Emergency Management Standard Procedures to Follow in Case of Disasters Wrongful Emergency Management Management of Hurricane Katrina
Crandall Canyon Mine Collapse
Conclusions
From the Paper "Yet another eloquent example of the authorities' incapacity to accordingly administrate a crisis situation has only recently been presented to us. On 6th of August 2007, the Crandall Canyon Mine collapsed, trapping 6 workers inside.
"The authorities soon responded to the call, but they were unaware of the stability and safety within the mine. In the attempt to rescue the trapped miners, the local authorities sent a team of nine members to dig and recover the miners. But the authorities made a big mistake by blindly sending the team underground."
Abstract With the increasing number of emergencies and disasters that have occurred in the world, the issue of disaster and emergency management theory has become a research focus in recent years. This focus on disastermanagement theory and praxis has also been emphasized by events such as the 9/11 terrorism attacks on New York. There are many theoretical aspects and models considered in the literature on emergency management. This paper deals with these theories that are controversial and which have tended to dominate the academic and practical debate in recent years. This paper is also concerned with the understanding of the significance and importance of disastermanagement, particularly in the larger metropolitan areas.
Outline:
Introduction
General Theoretical Issues
Public Education Theories
Family and Other Theoretical Variables
From the Paper "There are also other important aspects of emergency management theory that needs to be considered from a comprehensive and holistic perspective. An important variable that is considered in the literature is the family. Alan Kirschenbaum in an article entitled Families and Disaster Behavior: A Reassessment of Family Preparedness ( 2006) considers the view that the family is a "....principal conduit for disaster behaviors and critical for its individual members' survival". (Kirschenbaum). This refers particularly to the issue of preparedness in emergency planning. While there are experiential and anecdotal evidence to support this theoretical contention, studies also point out that there has been little empirical research on this aspect. The study by Kirschenbaum does however find that, "...the extent and intensity of family social networks and gender of the household head did predict differences in preparedness levels" (Kirshenbaum 2006). "
Abstract This paper presents an examination of potential unexpected disasters that could effect the New York Borough of Queens and emergency procedures which would need to be taken. Possible problems mentioned include the ethnic richness, terror targets, air crashes, natural disasters and extreme temperatures. The author discusses procedures which should be taken for each of these disasters and stresses the need for disaster planning.
From the Paper "When reflecting upon the correct procedures to pursue in the event of an emergency, it is important to be mindful of the specific types of hazards that might be more likely to face a particular area. Depending on the location and the nature of the area's topography, a particular area may be more likely to suffer emergency situations with natural causes, human causes, and technological causes than other areas. New York City, because of the events of September 11th, has become increasingly alert to the necessary procedures one must take in the event of unexpected disasters. However, the emergency procedures of the outer boroughs of the City have not always come under equal scrutiny as the emergency procedures of lower Manhattan. Thus it is important to review the possible emergencies that might afflict one of New York City's boroughs. In this particular case focus will be on the types of problems most likely to afflict the borough of Queens."
An illustration of an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) that every city should have in place and practice on a regular basis in order to save as many lives as possible in the event of a disaster occurring.
Abstract The paper defines the different types of disasters that can occur and explains why every local fire department should have a disaster plan in place. The paper presents the four phases of Emergency Management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The paper focuses on the response phase by detailing the systems and structures that should be in place in every city in order to respond efficiently to any disaster.
From the Paper "The first portion of direction and control is establishing an Incident Command System at the site of the disaster. The second portion of direction and control is the establishment of an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) (FEMA, SLG 101, 2002). The functions of these two centers are different. The ICS is concerned with the immediate disaster and information dissemination to the EOC. Both the ICS and EOC are concerned with two phases. For both the ICS and EOC primary concern is protecting life and later the sustainability of services to sustain life. Direction and control is about the integration of services during a disaster. It is important for maintaining organization and structure."
Abstract The paper compares the natural disasters of New Orleans and South Africa in terms of survival statistics in relation to their effect on children in terms of symptomatic trauma, interventions and resources in rebuilding the urban places after the disaster. The paper examines both South Africa and New Orleans to analyze what could have been done to mitigate some of the damage inflicted in these two instances and further to envision what might be done in retrospect to strengthen the response of humanitarian efforts at times of natural disasters. The paper includes a map and tables.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Disaster Assessment of South Africa & New Orleans
Flooding Greatest Risk in South Africa and New Orleans
Findings of Risk Assessment
Disaster Mitigation Requires 'Spirit of the Law' Application
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Those most affected were individuals who lived in homes that were constructed poorly. Identification of areas and communities that were affected had no uniformity. The results show that some communities received relief while others did not. Relief agencies were not well represented insofar as informing these individuals of what relief they were entitled to with many failing to miss such relief funding as Social Security for water-damaged property replacement. The report states: "...In these communities, rain or flood-affected households managed their losses alone or, in the case of many farm-workers residing on farms, repaired their homes with the farmer's assistance."
An argument that the effects of Hurricane Andrew in Florida were exacerbated by the confused and uncoordinated response of the government and the disastermanagement organizations.
Abstract This paper discusses the impact that Hurricane Andrew had on Florida when it struck in the early hours of August 24, 1992. The paper first discusses the the early warning system and the resulting evacuation in Florida. The paper then argues that the impact of Hurricane Andrew in Florida was exacerbated by the confused, disorderly and uncoordinated response of the government and the disastermanagement organizations in the United States.
Table of Contents:
The Impact Hurricane Andrew Made on Florida
Gathering of the Storm
The Relative Success of the Early Warning System
Impact of Hurricane Andrew & the Inadequate DisasterManagement Conclusion
From the Paper "Despite there being a "Federal Response Plan" in place, the bureaucratic machinery took a long time to activate. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which was supposed to implement the Federal Response Plan, was hardly in a state to respond adequately to the situation. The Agency was still geared to respond primarily to a massive nuclear attack and saw its main responsibility as distributing federal loans and grants to help rebuild an area after a disaster. It would not issue direct aid to a state until it was given a specific request by the governor, and the state was unable to issue specific requests for aid because it had no one was available to assess the damage (Franklin). Federal help was so slow in arriving that a frustrated director of Dade County's Emergency Office made the famous remark, " . . . Where the hell is the cavalry on this one?" (Quoted by Lerbinger, 61) The quote captured the overall sense of frustration and helplessness that disaster victims felt. Stung by the criticism of the federal response to the emergency, President Bush created a presidential task force headed by Transportation Secretary Andrew H. Card, Jr. for jump-starting the entire disaster response process. Although Card took important measures that helped expedite the delivery of governmental assistance; but by bypassing existing policies and processes, these measures ultimately proved disruptive and expensive and caused greater confusion and hindered a coordinated response to the disaster (Schneider, 100)."
Abstract This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of non-profit disaster mitigation organization. Specifically, the paper analyzes the American Red Cross including the mission of the organization, its involvement in recent disasters, and funding issues. The paper also examines the Red Cross's relief and disaster efforts.
From the Paper "The American Red Cross has been in existence since the nineteenth century. Organized by nurse Clara Barton, it has grown to be one of the premier disaster mitigation organizations in the country and the world. It is a non-partisan, humanitarian organization responds to all types of local and national emergencies, from families displaced by home fires to war and terrorism victims. Its mission is to step in during any time of disaster and provide food, clothing, shelter, and assistance to any victims of that disaster."
Abstract This document discusses the Bhopal Disaster that occurred in 1984 in Bhopal India. The paper discusses how Union Carbide accidentally released over 40 tons of methyl isocyanate, a pesticide chemical, into the surrounding city streets of Bhopal. Since this gaseous form of the chemical was heavier than air it quickly spread among the busy community and ultimately resulted in over 15000 deaths. This research examines the character of Union Carbide's crisis management and its disavowal of any responsibility whatsoever in the accident as well as its guilt avoidance communication strategies that misinformed almost every constituent of the corporation.
From the Paper "In 1984, what has become known as the Bhopal Disaster occurred at a Union Carbide pesticide plant that was located within the center of Bhopal, India in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Many researchers claim this is the single most disastrous industrial accident in history (Hopfl & Matilal, 2005). The accident began with the release over 40 tons of methyl isocyanate, a form of pesticide chemical, that is heavier than air and which subsequently spread at ground level through the busy streets of Bhopal. It is estimated that the escaped gases affected as many as 600,000 individuals although it might be as few as 150,000 but significant in any case (Hopfl & Matilal, 2005)."
