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Emergency Management Procedures

Emergency managers use many methods to contain and control an emergency situation. Perimeter control, central command structure, warning systems and an emergency operations center are some of the ways emergency managers prevent major accidents from turning into disasters.

  1. Setting up a Perimiter

    • For emergency responders to do their job, they will often require control of an area. This prevents more people from being injured by moving into a hazardous zone and helps keep a head count of those being evacuated through checkpoints in a perimeter. Local police are a first choice for maintaining a secure perimeter. In more severe situations, the National Guard will be employed, but this requires a presidential disaster declaration to be a constitutional use of power.

    Warning Systems

    • In the event of a major emergency, as many people must be warned as quickly as possible. Radio alert broadcasts have been used for a long time, but now in addition to radio, automatic cell phone and text message alerts are being used. Usually this kind of warning system can only be set up within some kind of bureaucracy, like a university or business. City wide warning systems of this type are more difficult. Sirens are most effective when immediate catastrophes are imminent. Public education is also an important part of warning system procedures, so as to prevent them from being misinterpreted or causing panic.

    National Response Framework

    • FEMA uses an archetypal system of guidelines and recommendations for city, county and state emergency managers to streamline emergency response. The National Response Framework (NRF) describes specific authorities and best practices for managing incidents, as well as providing templates for managing emergencies under the federal "All-Hazard" approach. The NRF can be adapted for communities, tribal governments, states, federal organizations other than FEMA, and private businesses.

    Emergency Operations Centers

    • During an emergency, having a central command center for relaying information and establishing authority is crucial. Computer terminals and communications equipment are important pieces of technology for emergency managers in an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), as they allow for dissemination of information to people "on the ground". EOCs are often hectic places during a catastrophe, but the beehive like buzz found inside an active EOC is still much more efficient than de-centralized command. EOCs provide information to emergency responders about the location of critical facilities and the most vulnerable populations in need of evacuation or rescue.

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