Disaster Response and Recovery. David A. McEntire

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      Official first responders – such as police officers and fire fighters – will be present at the scene of a disaster and will work diligently to help those in need. Bryan Dahlberg/FEMA.

      If local first responders are not able to cope effectively with the demands of a particular disaster, mutual aid agreements can be activated. Mutual aid is the sharing of equipment and facilities given by nearby local governments. In many cases, this includes personnel and the services of first responders. The activation of mutual aid often occurs through the support of neighboring jurisdictions. However, in major disasters, regional, state and federal government entities will also share resources as well. Mutual aid is clearly essential after major disasters. Cities may not be able to cope independently without the assistance of unaffected jurisdictions. Even affected states may require aid from their counterparts and the federal government to cope with the impact of disasters.

      As stated in Chapter 1, emergency managers are employed by local and other governments to help communities and other jurisdictions mitigate and prepare for disasters. When a disaster occurs, emergency managers issue warnings, communicate with leaders who supervise first responders, and coordinate with others to ensure evacuation occurs when needed. These public servants also collaborate with those who are in charge of shelters, help to assemble statistics on damages, and share information with citizens through the media. Emergency managers likewise acquire resources for the organizations that need them after a disaster. These professionals make sure that departments are working together to address response and recovery challenges. The public servants known as emergency managers also help determine response and recovery priorities. They gather information about needs and track expenses so payments can be made. Their contributions are crucial during post‐disaster operations. Emergency managers are in many ways like the hub in a wheel that has spokes. They are central to the coordination of emergency management activities before, during and after disasters. This metaphor is not meant to denigrate the contributions or others or underestimate the complexity of post‐disaster operations, however. Because, in some ways, emergency managers are just one element of a very complicated response and recovery network.

      A collection of other departments likewise plays vital roles after disasters, and knowledgeable emergency management personnel are keenly aware of this fact. Public Works reestablishes public utilities such as water and they also manage issues related to sewage, streets and engineering. This department may also clean up disaster debris from public areas (e.g., government land, government office buildings, and parks). The Department of Transportation assists with evacuation and removes debris from roads. This department makes repairs to signal lights and reconstructs damaged roads and bridges. Parks and Recreation has the specific responsibility of caring for its own facilities. However, it is a great asset in disasters as it shares personnel as well as trucks and equipment to other departments for transportation assistance or debris removal. Public Health is in charge of caring for victims who have been infected by disease outbreaks or impacted by a biological terrorist attack. Public Health may also be involved in the health concerns related to natural or technological disasters, and it interacts frequently with hospitals to track patient bed availability. Public Health also issues orders to isolate patients when diseases spread. If there is not a Mental Health Department in the city, Public Health also counsels those who have been affected emotionally by the disaster.

There are many others that are involved in disasters at the local level. The coroner is responsible for gathering, storing and identifying bodies of the deceased. He or she also releases the remains to family members and funeral homes so burial or cremation may take place. The Engineering Department inspects buildings to determine if they are habitable or if they should be condemned. This department also promotes more stringent building codes before reconstruction can begin. Government officials work with The Chamber of Commerce to identify the financial impact of disaster. It helps companies resume normal activities by representing their interests during recovery. The Department of Housing tells tenants if homes and apartments can be occupied after a disaster. This entity also facilitates the building of new housing during recovery. Development and redevelopment agencies may work with Public Works, the Engineering Department, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Housing Department to make recovery decisions, rebuild urban areas, and implement more stringent mitigation measures. As an example, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority has been heavily involved in guiding recovery after Hurricane Sandy.

Elected civic leaders are also logically involved in post‐disaster operations (Figure 2‐1). Mayors declare emergencies and СКАЧАТЬ