The emergency management concept evolved from the post World War II “Civil Defense” program but the “Civil Defense” program dealt principally with disaster preparedness. Emergency management goes further to include mitigation, response and recovery as part of an integrated program.
Mitigation refers to activities that eliminate or reduce the negative effects of a disaster. Preparedness is planning how you will respond to various emergencies and the resources you will need to get the job done. Response is the actual reaction to an emergency and recovery is the act of returning to a normal or near normal status.
Responsibility for effective emergency management starts with the family, therefore every family should have adequate insurance to protect their assets. They should also have a written plan identifying potential emergencies, protective actions, meeting places, evacuation & relocation sites, emergency supplies and important telephone numbers. Unfortunately, some apathetic families don’t take any steps to protect themselves or their property from the adverse affects of emergencies and disasters. They feel that government is there to pick up the tab for their losses. These people usually end up very disappointed
The following is an example of how your local government participates in the four phases of emergency management:
Mitigation:
- land use management
- zoning ordinances
- building codes
- safety codes
- insuring public assets
Preparedness:
- appoint a local EMA coordinator
- assist in building a local EMA program
- provide support for a local EMA program
- provide support for public safety departments
- identify potential vulnerabilities
- prepare and adopt an emergency operations plan
- have mutual aid agreements in place
Response:
- activate their emergency operations plan
- mobilize EMA and their public safety departments
- mobilize municipal and volunteer resources
Recovery:
- participate in damage assessment
- provide county EMA the information they need to secure disaster declarations. ” debris clearance ” reopen roads
- return government to normal operation ASAP
- coordinate the assistance for displaced residents
