Disaster Management - Evaluation of the Disaster Preparedness of First Responders - Research Paper Example

? Research Disaster Management: An Evaluation of the Disaster Preparedness of “First Responders”. Details: Phone: Email: Submitted: RESEARCH PROPOSAL Introduction / Background Major disaster events act to spur countries into giving disaster preparedness priority. The United States of America (USA) is no different in this aspect. Prior to September 11, 2001, in New York, major disaster events were mostly the results of natural calamities. The terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 changed the dimensions and nature of disaster events, and raised the bar on disaster preparedness. According to Bullock et al, 2008, disaster preparedness has to be differentiated from disaster mitigation, and disaster preparedness pertains to the planning for the best possible response or minimizing the scope of the required response to disaster events. Prior to the 1970s, the federal disaster preparedness and response program was disjointed and ineffective. There was no specific federal agency tasked with this responsibility. This responsibility was divided among several hundred federal agencies. This lacuna was removed in 1979 with the establishment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that witnessed the reorganization of several federal agencies under the umbrella of FEMA (Bumgarner, 2008, p.7). Since then, FEMA has played an important role as an independent agency in the management and response to disaster events. From its experience in these disaster events has emerged the public and policy network’s interest in disaster preparedness. A key aspect in the development of government policy towards disaster preparedness was its focus on the specific type of crisis anticipated at that time. Till the 1980s the disaster preparedness policies were directed towards natural calamities. In the 1980s hazardous material catastrophes and nuclear disasters changed the focus of the disaster preparedness policies in this direction. The terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, introduced a new paradigm in disasters, which resulted in the focus of disaster preparedness policies changing to face this new challenge (Nicholson, 2005, p.33-54). The new threat of disaster events from terrorist threats was to result in terrorist attacks becoming the focus of literature on models and frameworks for disaster preparedness and the policies on disaster preparedness. The first impact of the policy change was the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the integration of FEMA into it (Tierney, 2007, p.489-507). Evaluation of the literature on the current disaster prevention policies clearly highlights three areas of focus. These three areas are the emphasis on disaster prevention, increase in the integration, and coordination among government agencies in disaster prevention, and the greater role and involvement of the newly coined term of “first responders” in disasters, which consist of the community, the medical personnel, the police and the fire fighters. The focus on the prevention dimension in disaster management policy clearly demonstrates the importance given to terrorism in the US policy networks. Nicholson 2005, p.124, points to the Homeland Security Presidential Directives 5 and 8 to drive home this argument on prevention being the focus of disaster management at the local and national levels. The prevention focus of disaster management reinforces the emphasis on terrorism, as natural disasters like earthquakes cannot be prevented. This shift in policy to prevention in disaster management receives support from the general public, as shown by the study conducted by Boscarino, Figley and Adams in 2003. Witkopf, Jones and Kegely, 2008, p.361 gives insight into the integration among the agencies involved in disaster prevention and management through the eleven Homeland Security policy committees responsible for a functional policy area of homeland security bringing together officials from other departments and agencies. This integration in disaster management is with the objective of enhancing the capacity of the government to respond to contemporary disaster threats. In large scale disasters, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is the centre for coordination, resource assembly and deployment, and management strategy. The EOC directly interfaces with the political authorities to ensure forceful, legitimate, and authoritative expertise and response efforts (Perry, 2003, p.151). Much academic attention on disaster preparedness has been paid to the role of the “first responders”. The reason behind this is that government policies and directives repeatedly drive home the point of the critical role played by the “first responders” in disaster management. The “first responders” constitute the individuals and agencies that are first called on to address the disaster, and as such come from the community affected by the disaster, and comprise the local police force, fire fighters, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), emergency management, and public works. The aftermath of the Hurricane Katrina made the government realize the importance of non-governmental agencies and private citizens as “first responders” in disaster management (Toner, Mierswa and Howe’s 2010: 121-122). Several training programs on disaster preparedness that include courses and programs for the private sector and general public have been put in place by FEMA (FEMA, 2011). The objective is to enhance the effectiveness of the critical role played by “first responders” in disaster management (Toner, Mierswa and Howe’s 2010: 121-122). Research Aim, Objectives The aim of the study is to evaluate the disaster preparedness of the “first responders” in disaster management. The objectives of the study are: To evaluate the level of disaster preparedness of the “first responders”. To find out if there is any difference in the level of disaster preparedness of the public service “first responders” and the NGO and private citizen “first responders. To provide recommendations on improving the level of disaster preparedness among “first responders. The study has two hypotheses Hypothesis – 1: There is a high level of disaster preparedness among the “first responders”. Hypothesis – 2: The public service “first responders’ have a higher level of disaster preparedness than the NGO and private citizen “first responders”. The limited literary review shows that the effectiveness of the “first responders” in their response to disasters is critical to effective disaster management. In the face growing threat from natural calamities due to global warming and other disasters from terrorist attacks it is essential that an effective disaster management response is put in place. In the light of the critical role played by the “first responders”, research that assists in improving their efficacy at the time of disasters is extremely useful. Research Method Research Philosophy – The research paradigm on which the path taken by this study is the research paradigm of ontology and epistemology (Kuhn, 2007). From its ontology basis is derived the positivism of the study, and with its feet also grounded in epistemology the interpretivism basis is derived (Wilson, 2010). Research Framework – The positivism basis of the study results in an inductive framework, while the interpretivism basis results in a deductive framework. The study thus will use an inductive deductive framework for the research. From the perspective of qualitative data, the inductive method offers advantages in the interpretation of the data, and from the perspective of the quantitative data, the deductive method offers advantages in the interpretation of the data. This is the reason for the choice of an inductive and deductive framework for the study (Lancaster, 2005). The qualitative data needed for the inductive approach will be collected through a literature review. The study believes that interpretation of the qualitative data received through the literature review will provide theories, themes, and ideas that will prove useful in the subsequent deductive approach used to uncover answers that the study is searching for, and is the justification for the use of a literature review in the inductive approach of the study (Nunes & Al-Mamari, 2008). The deductive approach of the study involves the collection of quantitative data. It is the surmise of the study that the collection of quantitative data will assist the study to arrive at the required results and findings of the study. The study also intends to derive two benefits from the use of the quantitative approach for the solutions of the study. The first benefit pertains to the possibility of extending the results and findings of the study beyond the group of individuals used in the study. The study will operate under constraints of time and finance. The use of the qualitative approach will assist the study in reducing the time and finance needed for the study (Holton & Burnett, 2005). Variables in the Study – There are two variables in the study. The “first responders” is the independent variable and the level of disaster preparedness the dependent variable. Sampling and Sample Size – The local police, the fire fighters, EMS, emergency management, public works, NGOs and private citizens are the seven groups constituting the “first responders”. Twenty participants from each of these groups will be recruited for the study, making a total sample size of 140 participants. Random sampling will be used to reduce bias creeping in, and affecting the results of the studies (Nichols, 2002). The inclusion criterion will require the participants from the public service to have received the appropriate disaster preparedness training as per the Department of Homeland Security policy, and the participants of the NGOs and the private citizens to have undergone the Citizen Corp disaster training program of the Department of Homeland Security. The use of inclusion and exclusion criteria will assist the study in being clear about the sample population for the study (Fink, 2005). There are computational tools for arriving at the optimum size of the sample for a study (Royer & Zarlowski, 2001). However, the study will use convenience sampling size, and buttress the use of this method through the observation of Riordan 2005, p.671 ““factors to consider include the study purpose, level of enquiry, design, and type of analysis, as well as the availability of subjects, and the time frame of the study.” Data Collection – Secondary data will be collected through a literature review. Books, journals, the Internet, and newspapers are the possible sources for the literature review. The study intends to use articles from journals and information from academically reliable books to the maximum extent possible, while restricting use of the Internet and newspapers. To keep the secondary data current, the study will use a cut off date of published on or before 2001 for the sources used in the study. The study has evaluated the several methods for primary data collection, and has come to the conclusion that using a survey interview will be the appropriate means for collecting data for the study purposes (Johnson & Christensen, 2011). The survey instrument used for the data collection is the survey instrument recommended for use in disaster preparedness by Sutton & Tierney, 2006, p.13, which has been prepared after evaluating the disaster preparedness guidelines for federal and non-governmental sources. Data Analysis – The quantitative data received from the survey instrument will be compiled into an MS Excel work sheet, and transferred to the SPSS statistical software for deriving P values and Pearson Correlation Coefficient (r2) to give the results of the study. Resources / Restraints / Limitations Limited financial and time resources will have a strong influence on the restraints and limitations of the study. The travel limitations imposed by limited financial and time resources will limit the area covered by the study, as a well as the sample size. Limited knowledge and skills in the use of sophisticated statistical software like SPSS will have implications on the data analysis. The study expects to overcome the ethical and safety considerations by retaining anonymity of the participants and confidentiality of the information gathered from them. Research Beneficiaries / Dissemination The study has identified several beneficiaries of the study. They include the participating agencies in the studies, academic circles, agencies within the Homeland Security purview for disaster preparedness, NGOs involved in disaster management, and private citizens having some interest on the topic of disaster management. Copies of the study will be circulated to all the participating agencies in the study. Copies of the study will be on offer to the several university libraries. In addition, offers will be made to all the public service agencies and NGOs involved in disaster management regarding circulation of the copies of the study. In a similar manner, offers for copies of the study will be made to the local community libraries. References Boscarino, J., Figley, C. & Adams, R. 2003, ‘Fear of Terrorism in New York After the September 11 Terrorist Attacks: Implications for Emergency Mental Health and Preparedness,’ International Journal for Emergency Mental Health. vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 199-209. Bullock, J., Haddow, G., Coppola, D. &Yeletaysi, S. 2008, Introduction to homeland security: principles of all-hazards response. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Bumgarner, J. 2008, Emergency management: a reference handbook. ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, CA. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 2011, ‘Training and Exercise Integration (TEI) Course Catalogue’ [Online] Available at:http://printfu.org/read/federal-emergency-management-agency-national-preparedness--0afd.html?f=1qeYpurpn6Wih-SUpOGunKanh7LU2srmydGQt9bT5s3a28jlj8PG4snM1d_O3OiGttTK2tLvhcLJ2dnh18_ghsXfytzQ6MrY1srj5YmcopSXqNimobCH6NyHq-Wjn6Wgl9fa3-Pj1cS4ytzXi6nnoKanh9KRsdiunpuqlNHi6NavnJTj5u2T2s3S0aDQ3eqV5dHLm9bl29na093X1-Kj2ufOztrY5Myj3MrZ0czd6djo0sTP0OrG4NfMnuLN1Jah8g (Accessed 12 November, 2011). Fink, A. 2005, Conducting Research Literature Reviews: From Internet to Paper, Second Edition, Sage, California. Holton, E. F. & Burnett, M. F. 2005, ‘The Basics of Quantitative Research’ in Research in Organizations: Foundations and Methods of Enquiry, eds. Richard A. Swanson & Elwood F. Holton, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, California. Johnson, B. & Christensen, L. 2011, Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Approaches, Fourth Edition, SAGE Publications Inc., California. Kuhn, F. W. 2007, Study of the Scientific Reasoning Methods: Identifying the Salient Reasoning Characteristics Exhibited by Engineers and Scientists in an R&D Environment, ProQuest Information and Learning Company, Ann Arbor, MI. Lancaster, G. 2005, Research Methods in Management: A Concise Introduction to Research in Management and Business Consultancy, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Nichols, P. 2002, Social Survey Methods; A Field Guide for development Workers, Oxfam, London. Nunes, M. B. & Al-Mamari, S. H. 2008, ‘Inductive Approaches Using a Priori Coding in Information Systems Research: A Discussion’, in Seventh European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies, Regent’s College, London, UK, 19-20 June 2008, ed. Ann Brown, Academic Publishing Limited, Reading. Nicholson, W 2005, Homeland security law and policy. Charles C Thomas Publisher, Springfield, Illinois. Perry, R. 2003, ‘Emergency Operations Centres in an Era of Terrorism: Policy and Management Functions.’ Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 151-159. Riordan, J. 2005, Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, Third Edition, Jones and Bartlett, Massachusetts. Royer, I. & Zarlowski, P. 2001, ‘Sampling’, in Doing Management Research: A Comprehensive Guide, ed. Raymond-Alain Thietart, Sage, California, pp.147-171. Sutton, J. & Tierney, K. 2006, ‘Disaster Preparedness: Concepts, Preparedness, and Research,’ Report Prepared for the Fritz Institute Assessing Disaster Preparedness Conference, Sebastopol, California, November, 2006 [Online] Available at: http://www.fritzinstitute.org/PDFs/WhitePaper/DisasterPreparedness-Concepts.pdf (Accessed 12 November, 2011). Tierney, K. J. 2007, ‘Recent Developments in U.S. Homeland Security Policies and Their Implications for the Management of Extreme Events. In Handbook of Disaster Research, eds. Havidan Rodriguez, Enrico L. Quarantelli & Russell, R. Dynes, Springer, New York, pp.489-507. Toner, J., Mierswa, T. & Howe, J. 2010, Geriatric Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Preparedness. Springer Publishing Company, New York. Wilson, J. 2010, Essentials of Business Research: A Guide to Doing Your Research Project, SAGE Publications Ltd., London. Wittkopf, E., Jones, C. & Kegley, C. 2008, American foreign policy: pattern and process. Cengage Learning, New York. Appendix – 1 Research Program Principal Activities January-12 February-12 March-12 April-12 May-12 Jun-12 Research Approval Planning the study Sanctions for Collecting Primary Data Planning the study Sanctions for Collecting Primary Data Literature Review Preparing Data Collection Tools Collecting the Primary Data Data Analysis Writing the Study Report Editing the Report Submission of the Report Read More