Emergency Management Policies of Alexandria City - Case Study Example

Abstract In an emergency, the government has to collaborate with supporting organizations so as manage to carry out the policies set aside for these incidences. Such support teams include the local government, other state governments, and the nonprofit organizations. The preparedness of all these arms determines the effectiveness of carrying out the policies for emergencies. Governments could be said to be prepared for any occurrence of an emergency, but the nonprofit organizations may not be always ready for these occurrences. The level of preparedness is considered based on policies, planning, personnel, resources, among other factors. Emergency Management Policies of Alexandria City Introduction This course has adequately given an introduction to the process of management of emergency policies and how they are implemented in the United States. Several incidences have happened in the past, either natural calamities or that cause by man, which have necessitated the government to have to respond immediately so as to reduce the number of casualties in such a tragedy or to reduce the damage. Either way, in these instances, one can manage to see how the government in collaboration with its supporting groups, like the nonprofit organizations, are prepared for an emergency, and the laws that are set into place to respond to these emergencies. In an emergency, the government has to collaborate with supporting organizations so as manage to carry out the policies set aside for these incidences. Such support teams include the local government, other state governments, and the nonprofit organizations. The preparedness of all these arms determines the effectiveness of carrying out the policies for emergencies. Governments could be said to be prepared for any occurrence of an emergency, but the nonprofit organizations may not be always ready for these occurrences. The level of preparedness is considered based on policies, planning, personnel, resources, among other factors. Different state governments have varied emergency policies. Each of these should be in line with the federal and state levels. This assignment requires one to discuss the emergency management policies of Alexandria City, Virginia. It also requires one to give its relation to state and federal levels. The city of Alexandria has a set of guiding policies that are used in case of an emergency. The policies are contained in the emergency operations plan simply given the initials EOP. These policies are discussed below and so is their management. The EOP gives information on the mission and vision of the emergency response program, its principle, and its capacity. The divisions within the state government and the other support groups stated above have to play a role in the implementation of the policies in the EOP. Each of these departments is supposed to develop and manage their own policies. This will assist in ensuring that the city is ready and prepared to serve its inhabitants well in case of an emergency. The office of Emergency responses in the City of Alexandria and other agencies that support its EOP manage to accomplish their mission through, delegating and assigning various emergency errands and responsibilities, maximum utilization of the city employees by giving them assignments, there are also actions that have been predetermined in case of certain emergencies. There is also documentation on the potential and the resources available to carry out the predetermined actions, and ensuring that the city is provided with government services after an emergency and during its occurrence. Emergency management policies The management of emergency policies has the following. First, is the assessment of the situation at the area of emergency. Emergencies could lead to the interference of the transport network within a region; this is either by damaging the infrastructure or tampering with the useable means of transport on the ground. This will have an effect on the means by which the teams that are required to respond to the emergency losing access to the area. This would thus call for clearing the surface transport networks so as to gain maximum access to the affected areas. Plans on transportation to the site, such as availing all government transport resources, will enable the response team to work efficiently. Proper coordination among those providing transport is also part of the transportation plan. All the available means of emergency transportation is documented by the EOC. Other departments that could assist in achieving proper transportation include T& ES, which collaborates with the transport provider agencies that provide emergency transportation. Tasks and responsibilities are also stipulated in this policy. These are categorized into the pre emergency tasks, general and specific emergency responsibilities. The pre emergency responsibilities involve; the following. The department involved in response will ensure that they identify and make priorities of access roads; they develop inventories on the source of the means of transport, personnel, and equipment. Contracts are obtained for the supply of fuel for use during transportation, and an emergency checklist and the standard operating procedures are also drafted. General emergency responsibilities involve the teams ensuring that in case of a notification on the occurrence of an emergency, communication should be made to the city EOC. Transport services should also be well coordinated to access the emergency site faster. Fuel should also be readily supplied to the emergency transport system. The support departments should also be notified and made alert so that they can provide ht e needed resources, such as transport services, supply of equipment, and the supply of the necessary personnel. There are also responsibilities that are given to specific groups. For instance, the Transportation and Environmental Services (T& ES). This will ensure that they assign and prioritize all the resources that could be required to ensure that transport infrastructure is restored and maintained. They also ensure that they have provided assistance in the control of traffic; they make a decision on the most reliable and viable method of transportation to be used; avail resources and personnel to aid in the restoration and maintenance of the transport systems; they also update the operation section chief of the EOC frequently; finally, this department ensures that it keeps and maintains records of the expenditure incurred to establish the ESF, and forward these records to the EOC. The police department is given the responsibility to aid in the control of traffic, help in prioritizing on the most viable means of transport, give feedback in case there is a significant change in transportation, and finally give a record of the costs incurred to the EOC. Other agencies that will be allotted responsibilities include the city’s public schools, and the community that will also provide more transport services. General Services and Dash are also given responsibilities. DASH is required to provide transport services; maintenance personnel such as mechanics, order fuel keep a record of its supply. The General Service makes an order of fuel to fuel and refills the fuel tanks, store the equipment and the vehicles used safely, and keep records on fuel consumption and the costs incurred. Departments such as the office of the sheriff, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, the US Park Police, Department of Transport in Virginia, Virginia State Police, among other departments will also help in the response to the emergency. The roles of the city EOC in the maintenance of the emergency policy include: coordination of transportation, the EOC and the T & ES will be made aware of emergencies and the supervisors in charge will organize the personnel required for response. EOC also makes a determination of the condition of the transport infrastructure, and close the roads that are considered to be unsafe. During an emergency, evacuation of civilians at the site is necessary. The EOC plays a role of coordinating the evacuation of people, moving them to the appropriate locations. They also ensure that those that are injured are promptly attended to. Telecommunications and information technology is the second policy found in the emergency plan. During an emergency, the communication systems may be damaged or interfered with. This will therefore necessitate an increase in the methods of communication so as to aid in the coordination of the response activities being carried out by various departments. The existing means of communication may not be adequate during the emergency, therefore, new means of communication have to be established and various support groups contracted to provide communication services. The support departments will work to make sure that a priority in the communication of emergency activities and the restoration and maintenance of the communication networks. Also, these departments ensure that there is efficient and effective communication with the EOC from the site of emergency to the operation centre and vice versa. Normal means of communication are also utilized as much as possible. The departments in the city will also ensure that there is proper security in the areas of work to secure the computers and other means of communication. Back up programmes for the computers will also be installed in the computers and maintained; the network data services are also backed up and well secured. The General Services will also help in coordinating with other departments such as the Information Technology Services, making sure that there is back up system for the power, and hence ensuring that smooth communication occurs, even during the shortage of power. Public works and engineering policy makes sure that there is facilitated emergency repair and restoration of the city’s infrastructure and its maintenance and protection. These infrastructures that are crucial during an emergency response involve; communication, transport, water, power among others. The presence of a mutual agreement with other departments facilitates the augmentation of resources, thus leading to an increase in the supply on the local need. Public work agencies make sure that there is readiness during emergency operations. Available resources from the public works are also listed and the resources repaired and restored during emergency activities. The two departments of public works and engineering ensure that there is smooth response to emergencies. Fire fighting and the provision of medical services is also an emergency response policy. This coordinates fire fighting resources, by working with various fire departments that they are always prepared for any emergencies that may lead to a fire. This coordination involves ensuring that there are adequate resources needed for fire fighting. These include the vehicles, adequate supply of water, fire equipment like horse reels and fire hydrants that are in order, and the necessary personnel. Various departments are thus coordinated to ensure that any fire is put off. The EOC also coordinates the medical services within the city during an emergency. This is by the use of the doctors and nurses in the health care facilities within the city. There is also the provision of medical equipment that will be required in the treatment of the casualties during emergency activities. The final policy to be discussed in the management of emergencies. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that: there is proper recording and management of documents containing the reports on the processes used in operation, the activities undertaken and the results that were achieved during the response activities. Management helps the EOC to come up with an action plan with supporting documents showing their achieved results. Management also provides a system within the city that can be used to report emergencies immediately on their occurrence. All these purposes assists in the management of the EOC. Conclusion and relation of the Alexandria policies and the state and federal governments In conclusion, the relation between the Alexandria City maintenance of emergency policies and those of the state and the federal government is that these three are very well coordinated in such a way that they pool resources during an emergency thus facilitating a quicker and efficient response activity. This also makes sure that there is limited damage that is caused by the emergency that could result in the decline of the city’s economy. For instance, the federal and state governments help during an emergency by providing health services, the personnel, giving the means of transport the flow of information within the different departments and EOC, and the repair, restoration and maintenance of infrastructure. Read More