Natural Disaster - Case Study Example

Natural Disaster Name: Institution: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Project life cycle charts 4 Preparation for the disaster 4 Disaster mitigation 5 Disaster management 6 Disaster prevention 8 Conclusion 8 References 9 Introduction Natural disasters are a big threat to any organization or company (Gurenko 2004; pg 22). This is mainly because of the destruction and expenses they bring about when they occur. Natural disasters in this case include such things like floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, landslides and mudflows. Both public and private organizations and companies should thus prepare on how to handle natural disasters if at all such disasters attack. In order for an organization or a company to prepare adequately, they need to have a project that will purely deal with all means of handling the natural disaster. The project will need to have a project manager and its own department (Gurenko 2004; pg 26). The department will then be allocated its own funds with which it will hire experts that are trained in dealing with the natural disaster if at all it occurs. The department will need to purchase the necessary equipment and tools that will help in dealing with the different disasters. The management team in this sector will need to prioritize its needs and ascertain the most likely disaster to occur. The most prevalent disaster is the one they will invest in a lot so as to be fully prepared. The team will then make analysis of all cases where such disasters have occurred and how they were dealt with. This will help them to identify the mistakes done in the previous cases and find ways of minimizing on the mistakes (Ritchie 2009; pg 32). This essay focuses on fire as a natural disaster that poses a major threat to most organizations and in particular, our organization. Project life cycle charts A project life cycle as shown below shows the necessary steps that are undertaken for the project to be complete. For this particular project, the following chart needs to be followed. Step 1 step 2 step 3 step 4 1. Disaster identification To start off the project of dealing with these natural disasters, there is need to come up with a vision and mission of the team so as to sensitize the team members of their main work as team members. This will help to make the team members to be dedicated at their work. There is also the need to come up with objectives of the team in dealing with the disasters. After the mission and vision statements have been set, the team will then need to do a research on fire as their targeted disaster. They need to identify all the possibilities with which fire can reach their building(Gurenko 2004; pg 66). Preparation for the disaster After disaster identification, the next step is preparation. In this case, the management team will need to carry out budget estimations and allocation. The budget will be distributed such that it caters for all the requirements of dealing with the fire. This will include such things as fire extinguishers, emergency phones, fire alarms, heat and smoke detectors. After budget allocation, it is advisable that the manager selects the people that will be responsible for preparation and all activities regarding mitigation and management. Making of a team helps to have well trained experts who can deal with the fire crisis appropriately as soon as it occurs. This step also will include preparation such as buying of the required tools and equipment for the exercise (Ritchie 2009; pg 62). Preparation process has a lot of activities that need to be followed. The team is supposes to learn all the causes of fire and sensitize the workers at the organization so that they can be on the lookout for any of the things. They are to teach all the employees at the organization to be aware of the safe fire practices. All the ways of stopping a fire are also supposed to be taught to the people at the organization (Gurenko 2004; pg 29). They are also to be taught all the first aid practices so that they can be their own saviours in case an expert is not around. The public is also supposed to be taught not to have the practice of building fire around trees, bushes and rags. Fire extinguishers for all types of fires are supposed to be purchased and put in an open place where people can easily see. This will help in case of a fire as anyone can see the fire extinguisher and use. They are to be taught on how to use the different fire extinguishers. The employees at the place are also to be taught of the safety ways to contact themselves during the fire. Disaster mitigation This process goes hand in hand with disaster preparation. In this process, the group members put in place means of reducing the effect of the disaster in case it happens. It includes such things as training people on how to handle the situation, putting in place escape routes and ways that can be used by people to evacuate. They are also supposed to put in place disaster fighting tools that can be used to step down a disaster by use of such things like fire extinguishers. There is also the need to put in place good communication tools so that people can communicate easily so as to curb the disaster that might attack (Ritchie 2009; pg 32). During renovation or construction of the buildings, those involved are advised to use fire-resistant materials. This will help to avoid spread of fire in case a fire attacks the building. Electric lines around the building are supposed to be buried underground for safety. Branches of trees will also need to be pruned such that they are at a good distance from the buildings. This will save the building if at all the tree around the building catches fire. Any dead trees, tree branches and dead tree matter are supposed to be removed around the building. This will help to reduce fire spread if the fire starts. They are also to store combustible materials in safe places far from fire sources. The chimneys in the building are to be kept clean so as to reduce chances of fire sparks in the chimney starting a fire in the building. Smoke and heat detectors need to be installed in the building so that in case of a fire they can sent an alarm signal to alert people (Gurenko 2004; pg 58). Disaster management The next step is disaster management. This one deals with the real situation where a disaster has occurred. In this case, the team responsible is supposed to mobilize people so that they can get out of the disaster zone to safer areas. There is also the need to use the most available tools to curb the disaster if at all the disaster can be managed (Ritchie 2009; pg 26). In the case of a fire, the team responsible is supposed to take flammable materials and curtains away from the windows and around the building. This will help to reduce the spread of the fire to other buildings and areas. They are supposed to guide people out of the affected building to a safe place. If trapped inside the building, they are supposed to guide people to the escape routes. Lights are to be turned on in the building so as to enable visibility of the escape routes. Gas valves and pilot lights are to be turned off. This will help to prevent fire from spreading to other areas. This is because gas spreads rapidly thus spreading the fire to all other areas of the building (Ritchie 2009; pg 92). People should evacuate and sit in an open place away from the building. The team responsible is to count the number of people evacuated safely from the building and proceed to save the injured and those trapped in the building. Ambulances should be conducted for transportation of the injured persons to the hospital (Ritchie 2009; pg 32). Help should also be sought from the fire brigade to help in extinguishing the fire additional firefighting tools like fire extinguishers can also be borrowed from the neighbourhood so as to fasten the process of fighting the fire. For those trapped inside the building, they are supposed to lie low near the ground so as to get breathing air. They are supposed to look out for broken ceiling board and walls and cover themselves under strong furniture for protection. In case there is no furniture or place to hide, the individuals need to coil into a ball so that they can protect the head. If possible they need to breathe through wet clothing. This will help to maintain the level of oxygen in their bodies. Emergency radios for communication need to be turned on for communication (Ritchie 2009; pg 39). In case of a wild fire, those trapped in the area should look for a pool of water and crouch in it with the head covered with wet clothing. This will help to avoid burns in the head and body. In case a water body is not found, one should look for shelter in a cleared place or a stony place. This will help him not to come into contact with the fire (Coppola 2007; pg 83). Those trapped are then to call the police or the fire department and alert them of the fire. They are to give their position if possible so that they can be rescued if possible. After the event of a fire, the team is supposed to give first aid to all the injured people. Those trapped in the building are supposed to be rescued and given first aid before being transported to a nearby health Centre for treatment. The team is then supposed to go into the building and identify any burning ambers and sparks and extinguish them. If left to continue burning, the burning ambers can easily restart the fire to cause even a bigger fire (Coppola 2007; pg 69). Disaster prevention This is the last step of the cycle and mainly involves analysis of how the team managed the fire strategy in the last fire incidence and putting gin place measures that will help to prevent the occurrence of such made mistakes. This may include such things as good renovation skills. During the renovation, the team is supposed to ensure that the materials used are not combustible. They are also to see into it that they install better fire alarm systems, better smoke detectors and better emergency calls (Coppola 2007; pg 45). Conclusion In conclusion, natural disaster management is a wide field and needs serious attention from major government sectors and parastatals. The section dealing with this kind of disaster needs to be very observant for any news in regard to disasters (Coppola 2007; pg 33). They are then supposed to get funding that will help them to buy the necessary tools and equipment for the disaster management. References Coppola, D. P. 2007,Introduction to international disaster management, Amsterdam , Boston , Butterworth Heinemann. Gow, K., & Paton, D. 2008,The phoenix of natural disasters , community resilience, New York , Nova Science Publishers. Gurenko, E. N. 2004,Catastrophe risk and reinsurance , a country risk management perspective. London : Risk. Kumar, M. V., Motha, R. P., & Meteorology., W. M. 2007,Managing weather and climate risks in agriculture, Berlin , New York, Springer. Olson, D. L., & Wu, D. D. 2010,Enterprise risk management models, Heidelberg, Springer. Organization, P. A. 2000,Natural disasters , protecting the publics health, Washington, DC , Pan American Health Organization. Ritchie, B. W. 2009,Crisis and disaster management for tourism, Bristol, UK , Buffalo , Channel View Publications. Read More