Response to the below discussions with approximately 150 words or more each. Include a reference to each response. Be thoughtful and insightful and it must demonstrate critical thinking and analysis.
1.Disasters often affect local areas and are best handled by local organizations because they often are more aware of local needs and how to address them. Emergency management varies from local levels to national levels. These variations can also differ depending on national development status.
At the local level, emergency management agencies (EMA) can consist of a few employees in a small office responsible for the phases of disaster management. At the state or provincial level, EMAs most often act as a liaison between the smaller local EMAs and national EMAs. Provincial EMAs can provide or coordinate aid, emergency funding and assist with specialized technical resources not available to local organizations. Regional EMAs often employ a large staff and have departments located throughout the region.
The differences in emergency management vary the most at the national level, and differences are most noted based on the nation's development status. First of all, disasters impact both poor and wealthy countries equally but developed countries tend to recover better than less developed nations. Hazard mitigation efforts can be extremely costly thus making mitigation projects out of reach for developing governments. Developed nations can afford extensive mitigation projects that result in fewer casualties and economic damages following a disaster. In most cases, emergency management in developing countries concentrates on rescue and relief operations following a catastrophe. As mentioned throughout the course, preparedness and mitigation activities are essential parts of emergency management. Less developed nations are unable to afford well trained, experienced, and appropriately equipped emergency management organizations to conduct hazard vulnerability assessments, apply structural and non-structural mitigation techniques, and emergency preparedness planning. Many less developed nations solely focus on providing emergency assistance to local or regional areas in case of disaster.
The results of major disasters based on the developmental status of countries are evident when comparing the process of recovery following the major earthquakes that impacted Japan in 2011 and Haiti in 2010. In a time span of two years following the earthquakes, everyday life in Japan had mostly returned to normalcy, but in Haiti, many people remained living in shelters and relaying in international aid organizations for many essential services. Despite significant financial donations by the international community, Haiti's recovery has been hampered by government inefficiency and lack of an effective emergency management system.
Over the last 30 years, the international community has developed multiple programs to aid developing countries in establishing effective emergency management systems. Despite these efforts, many nations have not been able to use the funding and support provided adequately. The international emergency management community must continue to assist in the way of education and technical advice to less developed nations. Helping these governments build strong emergency management organizations is key to improve preparedness capabilities and resilience. This will reduce human, infrastructure, and financial losses in future disasters. Additionally, this will ensure the foundations for the effective use of international aid is in place and facilitate the recovery effort.
2. Emergency management will vary greatly due to a nation's development status. At the local level where emergency management is vital due to that is where disasters are generally experienced, the role of the local emergency management agency is crucial to success of failure of the four phases of disaster management. In developed countries, there are guidelines in place to ensure proper training and certifications are maintained. The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEAM) established guidelines to enhance professionalism of those working in emergency management. IAEAM has 5,000 members comprising 58 nations. I would assume those 58 nations are predominantly developed. At the national level, underdeveloped countries lack the resources to fully prepare, respond, recover of mitigate disasters. 2010 flooding in Pakistan proved the value of disaster management when many lives were lost and homes destroyed due to the countries inability to effectively handle the disaster. The US has the Department of Homeland Security which oversees the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) which is tasked to "build a safer, more secure, and more resilient America...and to strengthen national preparedness, timely response, and rapid recovery" (DHS).
3. In reference to a local emergency manager's success, three broad characteristics are key: professionalism, individual qualities and emergency management activities. The first characteristic, professionalism, is displayed in numerous ways. The professionalism is shown by working well with others in the field, in order to accomplish the mission. Being tactful with superiors and subordinates requires a high level of professionalism so as to not offend and come off as abrasive. The second characteristic, individual qualities is an internal characteristic, specific to each manager. These qualities are related to how well an emergency manager can perform under stress, how competent is he/she in her technical abilities and how effective can he/she communicate with others. Lastly, the third characteristic is the ability to shift to comprehensive emergency management and all-hazards approach (Phillips, Neal & Webb, 2012). The comprehensive emergency manager maintains 10 core functions, some of which include mobilizing emergency personnel and resources, warning the public and taking protective action (Phillips, Neal & Webb, 2012). This falls in line with the second characteristic, individual qualities. The ability to action appropriately on the 10 core functions is aligned with the manager's individual qualities, how well he/she performs.
The individual should have a multitude of experience, training and education. The emergency manager should not begin a career at the highest level. Usually, the highest level of a career is far more experienced and requires much more training and education. Bottom-up career advancements make sense however, this isn't always the case. Progression from local, state and federal level allows the emergency manager to experiences the spectrum of operations from the lowest level to the highest. Training and education is key to success however, experience is sometimes overlooked. Regulations and manuals will not always have the answer to a situation and it is during this time that experience comes into play.
4. Local emergency management is a different ball of wax than that of national or international level. Local managers are more likely to have a personal stake in the response and recovery since they are more likely to be residents. Many of the same characteristics are needed at various levels, the most important of which is communications. A solid understanding of the locality's mindset and community identity is essential, especially when formulating a network of allies and persuading others to support the identified needs of the disaster plan. Those identified needs should be formulated and agreed upon by local residents, businesses, and government leaders (Phillips, 2012). An "outsider", or someone marked as such will face more challenges in building alliances if they do not understand the soul and history of a community; it is essential to be a member if the community and take an active role in it before a disaster occurs. Additionally, accomplishing an agenda in a cooperative way rather than by fiat encourages ownership among the community and buy-in for the need for preparation and mitigation (Phillips, 2012). Successful local emergency managers are also able to weather the range of reactions to the disaster from the gratitude of survival to the bickering and blame phase, until reconstruction and recovery take place (Mutch, 2014).
Obviously some formal education or at least exposure to the concepts of emergency management will be beneficial at all levels of emergency management. A conceptual understanding of the processes involved facilitates the work performed and expression of need and preparedness. If not formal education, then training through FEMA and participation in drills and local governmental meetings would provide some benefit. Computer simulations are being developed and used to collect data to better prepare first responders and emergency mangers (Ekker, 2016). Higher level emergency managers also should be exposed to international training involving the United Nations aspects as well as NATO Science for Peace and Security Series (Mugnai, Masini, Alexander, & IOS, 2013). The most important aspect of education of emergency managers at any level is continued training and professional development (Philips, 2012). Since disasters are unique and disaster planning and preparation can always be improved, Emergency Management Professionals must continue to enhance their knowledge and skills to provide the best protection possible for the people they serve.