Question: Review and reflect on the History and Types of Hazards Discussion Board. Based on your review and reflection of new learnings in this course, write at least 400-600 words on the following:
- What have you learned from others'' responses?
- What were the most compelling points from the interaction with your fellow students?
- How did participating in this discussion help in your understanding of the Discussion Board task?
- What approaches could have yielded additional valuable information in the students'' networking?
- What is still unclear after the discussion with your classmates that needs to be clarified?
Post 1
Since, 1979, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has been the Federal Government's lead agency in responding to and recovering from many of the Nation's greatest moments of crisis. Througoutit's history, FEMA has bulit upon the more than 200 years of Federal involvement in disasters. FEMA relies on Federal, Tribal, Local and State agencies to meet their mission.
At the closing of the 1980's, FEMA was an Agencyin trouble. It suffered from severe morale problems, disparate leadership, and conflicts over Agency spending and priorities with its partners at the State and local levels. In 1989, the occurrence of two devastating natural disasters called into question the continued existence of FEMA.
In September of 1989, Hurricane Hugo slammed into North Carolina and South Carolina, after first inflicting damage in both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. It was the worst hurricane in a decade with over $15 billion in damages and 85 deaths. FEMA was slow to respond, having waited for the events to occur and for the Governors to decide what to do. South Carolina Senator Ernest Hollings personally called the FEMA Director and asked for help, but the Agency did so at a very slow pace. Hollings responded by appearing on national television to berate FEMA in a most colorful way, calling the Agency the "sorriest bunch of bureaucratic jackasses".
Less than a month later, the Bay Area of California was rocked by the Loma Prieta Earthquake as the 1989 World Series got underway in Oakland Stadium. The response was equally slow and, likewise, criticized.
In August 1992, within months of each other, Hurricane Andrew struck Florida and Louisiana and Hurricane Iniki struck Hawaii . FEMA was clearly unprepared, as were FEMA's partners at the State level. The Agency's failure to respond was witnessed by Americans across the entire country as major news organizations documented the crisis. The efficacy of FEMA as the national emergency response agency was clearly in doubt. President Bush dispatched then Secretary of Transportation, Andrew Card to take over the response operation, which was tasked to the military.
Risk assessments are a vital part to Emergency Management. The use of the risk assessment allows the agencies and businesses to analyze what could happen if an disaster occurs. Take for instance if a business is located in Nebraska the risk assessment would be low for the risk of earthquakes, yet the same business in Nebraska's risk assessment would be higher for the chance of tornados and winter weather preperations. During the risk assessment phase the business analyzes the risks for the area they are in and rate them from highest to lowest.
I think it is possible to accurately assess risks for a certain area. As stated in the previous example the business located in Nebraska can trend paterns for hazardous weather and how the business will take precautions for if the hazard does occur. The business can hold yearly table top drills where they involve all agencies in their area and use a scenario prepared by the Emergency Management agency in their area.
I do not think that emergency management agencies can properly prepare for possible disasters without risk assessments. The use of the risk assessments allow the businesses to be able to rate what they would feel the highest risk would be for their area that they are living in.
Post 2
With emergency management, the city or community can create a plan to reduce hazard and handle with disasters. Emergency management is to prevent emergency from occurring and should have a good action plan. Creating a plan can lessen the degree of damage when manmade disaster or natural disasters occur. Emergency management plans for acts of terrorism, natural fire or manmade fire, public disorder, industrial accidents, earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornados. There are various organization that have guidelines for emergency planning and one popular organization is FEMA.
How do you think natural hazards have shaped and changed emergency management in the last 30 years? Explain.
Over the last 30 years, natural hazards have shaped and change emergency management. Hurricane Katrina was a category 5 hurricane that impacted New Orleans. Katrina was deadly and massive hurricane. Over 1.5 million were impacted by it and federal expenses were expected to be over $100 billion. Emergency declaration was received by 44 states to cover for the expenses. Before Hurricane Katrina, scientist predicted category 5 will hit land fall in the Gulf Coast. FEMA was supposed to fund evacuation studies but never completed because of the exercise was stopped due to site was unable to be used. But another exercise was completed and corrected actions and plans was discovered but budgeting was not sufficient because FEMA used the funds for support other activities.
How do you think technological hazards have shaped and changed emergency management in the last 30 years? Explain.
Over the last 30 years, technological hazards have shaped and changed emergency management by having plans on fighting terrorist and by having the President create the Office of Homeland Security. After the events of 9/11, FEMA initiated the Federal Response Plan. Having a plan like Homeland Security, this can give us what protective measure can be implemented by determine the severity of the terrorist threat.
How important do you think risk assessments are in emergency management? Why?
Risk assessment is very important in the emergency management because this is a process to identify hazards and see what can happen if this hazards occurs. While conducting risk assessment, you are looking for weaknesses and make improvements to it.
Do you feel it is possible to realistically and accurately assess risks? Why or why not?
Assessing risk can only lessen the damage for natural or manmade disaster. You can realistically and accurately assess risks. I do it before I do certain things like grilling, playing sports, or going for a drive. Before you do an activity, you can conduct an assessment of the activity and make plans just in case when you come to situation.
Are effective emergency management operations possible without proper risk assessment? Why or why not?
Awareness and preparedness can only lessen the degree of damage from the disaster. Having an effective plan can limit the injury, damage, and the death. Risk assessment plays a major role in this situation. This will also cost less after the disaster because well thought out plans are already made and funds is available to cover for the expenses.