Hurricane Katrina Disaster - Essay Example

Hurricane Katrina disaster Introduction: One of the largest disasters occurred in the history of United s is Hurricane Katrina disaster of 2005. It was reported that more than 1,800 people lost their lives and also many damages were caused. The consequences lasted further than any other disasters in the American history. Many reporters have found out the issues with regard to the disaster as bureaucratic inefficiency, systems inadequacy, and communication issues. The Katrina disaster concluded that “it will be necessary for some centralized authority to take control of disaster management” (Crippen, 2006, Conclusion, para.6) in the state. The disaster caused network outrages in a large extent, which could have been avoided with a prior serious planning. The satellite backbone of the state is not yet built to have a carrying capacity to offer core infrastructure facilities. The wireless communication facilities also must be developed in this area. Due to this disaster, US government has lost USD 100billion for rebuilding the whole city. The disaster was caused mainly due to the development of various projects which were not included in their decision making process of ecosystem services. Advantages and disadvantages of bureaucratic model: In this present world, rapid growth of change has resulted in the companies adopting the dynamic model which is highly flexible, focused on the customers and which demand for high leadership qualities and qualified employee profiles. Overall, the dynamic model concept is opposite to the traditional bureaucratic organizational concept. Bureaucratic model usually offers a service. It is always in the final stages, where this model turns to be negative. “"What I suggest is that what we have instead of a hierarchy is a series of organizations that make up a network," Wise said: "We need an approach that knits together the plans and programs of these networks."” (Indiana U.: Indiana U. prof. suggests reworking of structure to federal disaster response, 2006, para.4). Advantages: The major advantage of the bureaucratic model is that it is very clear. “A bureaucracys very decomposition is a warning sign that a new response to the original problems has become necessary.” (Carter, 2009, para.9). This is one of the advantages provided by this model. Bureaucratic model is said to be efficient if it is properly administered and operated. It prevents the duplication of work and benefits the state with economies of scale. “A bureaucratic organization is typified by formal processes, standardization, hierarchic procedures, and written communication.” (Schiller, 2007). Bureaucratic model always has a centralized way of communication and offers opportunities and challenges to the people. The rules and regulations which people consider to be an obstacle are actually protecting them. The inflexibility of this rule makes people to think it as inefficient but it actually provides a safe risk-free environment. Disadvantages: Bureaucratic model’s set rules and regulations restrict the easy way of communication and hence are considered as inefficient. Bureaucratic model fails due to many reasons like monopolization of the discursive space, wastage of resources, embracing revolutionary philosophies, not trusting the democratic impulse etc. As said earlier, bureaucratic model is for providing service, which they often fail to do and they often operate above the law. “Poor preparedness and previous ecosystem alterations led to substantially greater social and economic costs – many of which could have been avoided.” (Ecosystems and disaster risk reduction, 2008, p.6, para.1). Due to these disadvantages, the bureaucratic model had a transition towards the network model. The network model has a decentralized way, in which they form a lattice structure. The network model always allows a more natural way of communication to take place. It is highly flexible, which makes the people relieved. Adaptive management approach: Adaptive management uses management interventions to purposefully explore the functioning of an ecosystem. Wise suggested the implementation of the adaptive management approach to the disaster. He found out the problems for the disaster management as lack of planning and management. In America, hierarchical system prevails, which follows directions from the top or centre head. In the case of hurricane disaster, the first to respond were the local people of the state instead of federal or any other agencies. Hence, the bureaucratic/hierarchical model seems to be deficient. In order to prevent and overcome this issue, he suggested adaptive approach. According to Wise, if an adaptive approach is implemented, the government could become accustomed to any situation of rapid change. Not only the government, but also the agencies can plan together for a decision making process to respond to unpredicted situations like environmental disasters. The hypothetical response might be as follows: Quick and rapid estimation of the damage. Steps for rehabilitation of the damaged. Steps for the protection of remaining resources. Adoption of best practices for continuing with the salvage. Increase the public support and funding. The recovery process might continue for many years and may necessitate investment of resources and precious time. An adaptive management strategy is advised for hurricane disaster management, which highlights the essentiality of participatory planning. In this planning, both the initial stage organizations and the organizations concerned with long term recovery process are included. These institutions are responsible for promoting authorized linkages, faith and expansion of the social capital that lead to incorporated and harmonized emergency response. In the disaster management, high level of organizational flexibility and increased level of harmonization is needed. For implementing an adaptive management approach, the planning done should be centralized and the execution of the planning must be decentralized. It is essential to have cooperation from the public and NGOs. The identification and achievement of goal together with forward thinking is also important. Moreover, training must be given for the successful operation of the emergency management. And it is also important to strengthen the response of intergovernmental processes. If these parameters are checked before implementing this approach, it will certainly prove to be successful. A new management approach to Hurricane Katrina disaster: For formulating or implementing a new disaster management approach, there is a need to determine the lacks of the existing approach. The major issues during hurricane disaster management were: First, there was insufficient preparation and grounding in anticipating requirements needed for emergency management. Secondly, there was a shortage of obviously communicated tasks across agencies and jurisdictions towards ensuring effectiveness. And finally, there were deficient numbers and too little employment of employees for providing an efficient contractor oversight. After identifying these issues, it will be easier to implement a suitable management approach for hurricane disaster. A strategic approach can be done for the Katrina disaster, which can be implemented through various steps like: Purpose of the strategic approach: to design a reliable and efficient management approach to hurricane disaster. Steps: A detailed study of communication and information systems at Gulf coast area. Constructing an efficient information systems network for easy and immediate communication process. Setting up an efficient infrastructure facility including backhaul circuits, electricity networks, advanced information systems etc. Fasten up the effective and timely recovery efforts soon after the disaster. Enhancing a quick response to the disaster which can help in reducing the extent of loss. Conclusion: The disaster was caused mainly due to the lack of coordination between the immediate responders. The bureaucratic rule also led to a serious destruction. Hence, after this disaster, the people and the federal became aware of the serious impacts of disasters and the essentiality of disaster management. Both the bureaucratic models as well as the network model prove to be inefficient in the case of Hurricane Katrina disaster and hence a new management approach has been suggested in this work. Reference List Carter, S. (2009). Advantages and disadvantages of bureaucracy. Helium: Learn what you need, share what you know. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.helium.com/items/596955-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-bureaucracy Crippen, D. (2006). Concluding thoughts on the new nature of disaster management. Critical Care, 10 (1), 111. Critical care. doi:10.1186/cc3946 Ecosystems and disaster risk reduction: Working paper in contribution to the global assessment report: Case study in exposure: Wetlands and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. (2008). Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.preventionweb.net/english/hyogo/gar/background-papers/documents/Chap4/Ecosystems-and-DRR-Working-Draft.doc Indiana U.: Indiana U. prof suggests reworking of structure to federal disaster response. (2006). Access My Library: Search Information That Libraries Trust. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-15851391_ITM Schiller, J. (2007). Bureaucratic management: Abstract. Grin: Publishing For Free. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.grin.com/e-book/91508/bureaucratic-management Read More