Essay about Disaster Management Essay on Coping with Disaster

1. Essay about Disaster Management
Disaster Management
Introduction
All disaster managers must make decisions. Their decision involves a comparison between several
alternatives and an evaluation of the outcome. The quality of the decisions managers make is the
true measure of their performance. Each operational decision influences future actions, which in
turn, require further decisions. Errors in decision–making, therefore, tend to be cumulative.
Decision–making is the major responsibility of a disaster manager, regardless of his or her functional
area or level in the organization.
Some of these decisions may have a strong impact on the organization, while others will be
important, but less crucial. The important point, however, is that all decisions will...show more
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Of course, this type of decision–making environment is rare. Suppose the manager of a relief
agency has been alerted by an early warning system that 2,000 refugees will arrive in his refugee
camp in one week. He would be foolish not to order supplies for 2,000 people and prepare to
distribute them. In this example, the decision–maker is fortunate because accurate information about
future events is available. But, in most situations, the manager does not know exactly what will occur.
Under these latter conditions, the manager is forced to use probabilities to make decisions.
2) Decision–making Under Conditions of Risk Г¦ In some situations, a manager is able to estimate
the probability that certain variables could occur. The ability to estimate may be due to experience,
incomplete, but reliable information, or, in some cases, an accurate report. When estimates are
made, a degree of risk is involved, but some amount of information about the situation is available.
The situation requires estimating the probability that one or more known variables might influence
the decision being made. If the basis for the decision is stated in terms of maximizing results, for
example, service levels the decision–maker would select the alternative, that produces the best result.
However, if the basis for the decision is stated in terms of minimizing the outcome, for example,
costs, the decision–maker would select the
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2. Essay on Coping with Disaster
Coping with Disaster This paper will discuss Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management
that are city wide or larger in scope. It will first define disaster, then examine the typical stages in
preparing for and coping with a disaster. Selected types of disasters will be considered, and examples
reviewed, namely biological, chemical, and radiation related disasters. What is a disaster? A disaster
is an unexpected calamity that is of sufficient magnitude that the normal societal coping mechanisms
are insufficient, and extraordinary measures must be taken to remedy the situation (Kroll–Smith and
Couch, 1991). It involves a significant amount of physical and/or economic suffering to the extent
that a break down in the socioeconomic...show more content...
The available Emergency Response infrastructure is also considered in the risk assessment to
determine what types of disasters can be handled autonomously, and what ones require regional,
national, or international assistance. After the risks and currently available resources are known, a
written plan is drafted with separate sections for each disaster scenario. The plan should have clear
objectives and follow a systematic approach which assigns tasks and responsibilities, both
beforehand during the preparation phase, and during an actual disaster. The plan considers all
dimensions that have the potential to influence the outcome such as: threat level and probability of
occurrence, required response time frames, local demographics, professional training and public
education, needed supplies (food, medical, temporary housing, equipment, etc.), logistics and
transportation, funding, available assistance from other areas, communication systems, chain of
command and responsibilities. Rehearsals and exercises should be completed on a scheduled basis
by those involved to ensure skills are kept current and any deficiencies in the plan are uncovered and
addressed (Kent, 1991; United Nations, 2008). Disaster Management: Response Disaster Response
are those activities and actions taken immediately before, and during, a disaster to minimize human
injury, damage to property, and the
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