Emergency Management

Running head : Emergency Management

Emergency Management

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Part - 1

Assessment of Hazard and Risk

Emergency management also called as the disaster management is the discipline dealing with and avoiding risks . This discipline involves handling a catastrophe in a proficient manner . It encompasses steps like preparing , supporting , and rebuilding society when natural or man-made disasters occur . The process of emergency management is a nonstop and diligent assessment of changing hazard and threat perception accompanied by an articulated plan to effectively counter the same . Only an accurate and precise assessment

of hazards can lead to a formidable plan covering all the aspects of risks involved . It is common to place the responsibility for governmental emergency management with the institutions for civil defense or within the conventional structure of the emergency services . In the private sector , emergency management is commonly referred to as business continuity management

While living in today 's environment , everyone is required to be prepared to address the substantial risk of disasters at the workplace play grounds , entertainment venues , living quarters , and even at the schools . From natural disasters to the acts of terrorism , we can encounter any sort of hazard at any un-notified time and place . The key to minimizing or controlling the cost and death toll of disasters is prevention . We can only prevent a disaster from happening or at least reduce its fallout , if we have accurate and timely intelligence , and right resources to deal with it . Correct assessment of hazards and risks enables us with an opportunity to be prepared and be proactive . In the current environments , Technological progress and terrorist activities has forced safety professionals to rethink their modus operandi for disaster preparedness and expand their proactive measures to safeguard assets at all levels and at all times (Schneid Collins , 2000 Authority and Responsibility

Emergency management not only provides for an integrated program of mitigation , preparedness , response and recovery , but it also lists down the authority and responsibility in dealing with any sort of emergency /disaster . People at individual level or even a small community which may be well prepared can not tackle the complex needs of a major emergency or disaster on its own . In a community , handling of emergencies is the responsibility of specific government semi-government or private departments , which are specialized in tackling disasters / emergencies . Police , firefighters , emergency medical and health personnel , public works , human /social service agencies and departments , all play a key role in response to emergencies /disasters . Every county , city , borough and township has an emergency management coordinator who is selected by the elected officials of the jurisdiction . The Emergency Management Coordinator 's role is to develop plans , conduct training and coordinate all available resources in the community . The ultimate responsibility for Emergency Management always rests with the chief elected officials and governing body

When two or more municipalities are involved in a disaster , the county assumes overall emergency coordination . When two or more counties are involved in a disaster , the state assumes overall coordination . When two or more...