Four Phases of Emergency Management
Share thisEmergency managers have long emphasized adopting an “all-hazards” approach to emergency planning and recovery. An all-hazards approach focuses on preventing the likely detrimental effects from any type of disaster and reducing the consequences from these effects. Emergency plans should use function-based planning and not incident-based planning. For example, power loss is a result of many emergency situations (a windstorm, downed tree, ice storm, or even a car hitting a power pole).
One can think of emergency management as having four primary phases to handle an emergency or disaster.
1. Preparedness: the planning and preparations required to handle an emergency or disaster
This includes development of written plans and procedures to ensure critical operations are maintained. Preparedness includes identification of essential supplies and actions, critical positions, specific roles, responsibilities, orders of succession and delegation of specific authorities, and communication. The most important aspect of emergency planning is for the safety of the staff during an emergency. One or more secure locations should be identified for staff during an emergency. Communication methods must be identified and tested between locations. Mutual aid agreements and emergency aspects of vendor contracts should also be reviewed as part of this process. It is also very important to exercise all sections of your plan.
This includes development of written plans and procedures to ensure critical operations are maintained. Preparedness includes identification of essential supplies and actions, critical positions, specific roles, responsibilities, orders of succession and delegation of specific authorities, and communication. The most important aspect of emergency planning is for the safety of the staff during an emergency. One or more secure locations should be identified for staff during an emergency. Communication methods must be identified and tested between locations. Mutual aid agreements and emergency aspects of vendor contracts should also be reviewed as part of this process. It is also very important to exercise all sections of your plan.
2. Mitigation: the steps and activities related to preventing future emergencies or minimizing their effects.
This aspect helps keep problems from occurring in the first place or limits their severity. These are typically engineering-type solutions to address vulnerabilities identified through the planning process. Examples might include an emergency generator to power critical equipment, secure storage area for food and water, portable heaters or air conditioners, flood control and even protection of computer based information through frequent backup and off-site storage of data and records. It is important once vulnerabilities are identified that organizations budget toward solutions. In some cases grant monies from state or federal sources are available for certain types of hazard mitigation.
This aspect helps keep problems from occurring in the first place or limits their severity. These are typically engineering-type solutions to address vulnerabilities identified through the planning process. Examples might include an emergency generator to power critical equipment, secure storage area for food and water, portable heaters or air conditioners, flood control and even protection of computer based information through frequent backup and off-site storage of data and records. It is important once vulnerabilities are identified that organizations budget toward solutions. In some cases grant monies from state or federal sources are available for certain types of hazard mitigation.
3. Response: the actual activation of the emergency plan when the need arises
As the old sports adage goes “you play like you practice,” the same holds true in disaster response. First and foremost during a disaster is the safety of personnel, then the safety of animals. The staff should be in secure quarters and not take action until they may do so safely. In some instances, this means not entering damaged structures until assessed by engineers or emergency personnel. Lines of communication must be maintained during the event.
As the old sports adage goes “you play like you practice,” the same holds true in disaster response. First and foremost during a disaster is the safety of personnel, then the safety of animals. The staff should be in secure quarters and not take action until they may do so safely. In some instances, this means not entering damaged structures until assessed by engineers or emergency personnel. Lines of communication must be maintained during the event.
4. Recovery: the actions needed to restore normal operations
It is likely that not all issues can receive equal attention especially following a major event. This will be a time of competing needs when staffing shortages are likely and those that are able to come to work are overwhelmed by the tasks they must complete. It is imperative to have developed and exercised a plan where position assignments were made in advance and a clear command structure exists. In addition to immediate care of the animals, actions such as damage assessment, emergency repairs, clearing immediate hazards, and contracting with vendors for assistance may be required.
It is likely that not all issues can receive equal attention especially following a major event. This will be a time of competing needs when staffing shortages are likely and those that are able to come to work are overwhelmed by the tasks they must complete. It is imperative to have developed and exercised a plan where position assignments were made in advance and a clear command structure exists. In addition to immediate care of the animals, actions such as damage assessment, emergency repairs, clearing immediate hazards, and contracting with vendors for assistance may be required.
From When Disaster Strikes by the Safety Guys