What Are the Things Required in Disaster Management?

Natural or human caused disasters can strike at any time. While we have no way of avoiding disasters completely, we can prepare for them. Preparation saves lives and lessens the impact disasters have on our communities. Every community should have a solid disaster management program in place and ready for implementation before the disaster hits. Building a good program involves coordinating resources before, throughout and after the disaster strikes.

Prevention and Preparedness

• A good disaster management program covers all areas of prevention and preparedness. First, land and building management activities work to strengthen hazards. For example, communities can strengthen buildings to withstand earthquakes or build water channels to protect against flooding. Preparedness also involves organizing volunteers for various duties and setting up meeting places, contact points and escape routes, so responders can account for community members and they can evacuate or rescue them when needed. Gathering lists of help agencies and forms of aid available, then working to fill gaps in aid is also a must for preparedness management. A good plan also includes early warning systems to alert people to seek shelter or evacuate.

Response

• A good program has response teams ready to spring into action whenever needed. Have rescue teams ready for activation as soon as possible in a disaster. Staff checkpoints so rescue teams will know in what locations people are missing. Open and clear roadways to allow fire and other rescue teams into areas they are needed. Clear supply roads. Have staff at hospitals and clinics ready for large influxes of people. The more response-ready a community is, the more likely the human loss in a disaster will be kept to a minimum.

Mitigation

• Much of the human loss in a disaster occurs after the disaster is over. Mitigating that sad occurrence is just as important a part of any disaster management program as handling the disaster itself. Make sure fresh water, food and medicine is available to contain the spread of disease. Also, make sure blankets, clothing and shelter are available. More ongoing mitigation includes permanent shelter or home repair for those who cannot repair their own homes. Launch emergency power and repairs to utility services as soon as possible. Finally, remember that any of the efforts to mitigate damages take funding. A good program provides funds or funding sources for any rebuilding necessary.

Awareness

• Awareness is actually part of prevention and preparedness, but it is too important an issue not to receive special attention. Residents must be aware of what disasters can hit and how to prepare and respond to them. They must understand the plans put in place by the community program so they know where to go and who to call to be accounted for in the response effort. Encourage schools, community centers, businesses, clubs and any location that groups of people meet to hold disaster education. Community drills reinforce knowledge learned in meetings, classes and seminars. A disaster management program doesn't do much good unless the public knows the plan and is trained to respond intelligently in an emergency.