Emergency Operational Planning - Assignment Example

Emergency Operational Planning Emergency management planning is very much important for any organization at any level, because this will help them to control the uncertain and unexpected situation in a decent manner. Uncertainty is always a part of working environment; we can never say that anything in this world is stable or constant. Therefore contingency management is an important activity for the organizations. These contingencies are may be natural or man-made but still the managers should have plans to handle these situations. If we look at the larger level than organizations then the Governments either Local or Federal, they also do the same things, because they also have to survive in this contingent world. The Government either Local or Federal also prepare themselves for the uncertain situations. They have emergency management plans which help them in such unexpected situations. These emergency plans are properly managed and checked at regular intervals. There are special teams or groups who design such emergency plans for the Governments. Every community, department, activity and even individual is susceptible towards hazards or risks to be occurred. Emergency Operations Planning is aimed at providing preparedness, prevention, protection and mitigation of that risk. There are certain things which should be kept in mind while doing emergency operations planning. All of these plans must be community or we can say people based in their nature. It means that they should represent the needs of the whole population. There must be logical problem solving techniques in the planning process so they can be very much helpful in the emergency situations. The expected plans should cover all the expected shortcomings which can disrupt the normal operations and thus these plans should be flexible in nature. These contingent plans must be according to the available resources of the Government. These emergency plans are basically designed to mitigate the operational risks. Emergency Operational Planning at Virginia Beach: Usually the Government Higher authorities take actions when there is any uncertain disaster or calamity because usually the emergencies which are meant for low intensity of uncertain situations are handled by the departments themselves. While designing this Emergency Operational Plan, we may consider the disasters which are expected but not on regular basis. These disasters may include natural floods, tsunami, fire, earthquakes volcanic eruption, tidal waves, land sliding, snow storm and wind storm etc. If not properly managed or warned these disasters can cause a limitless loss to the population as well as the infrastructure of the country. This paper focuses on the Emergency Operational Planning in Virginia Beach. Virginia and the Fairfax are the states of USA which always suffered the natural disasters (Emergency Operation Plan, 2013). Virginia Beach is the most populous city of Virginia State and also the 39th most populous city of the US. Taking into consideration the high rate of population in this city needs strong planning to handle uncertain situations. The Government departments and the higher authorities should be energetic enough to control over the situation in case of any emergency or disaster. Virginia Beach is located at the Bay of Atlantic Ocean. Due to its location there is always a danger of any disaster caused by water which may include Tidal waves and the Tsunami etc. The Tidal Waves are caused due to the movement of water because of intensity of attraction of moon towards water. These tidal waves are usually of low intensity but when they are vibrant in nature they cause many mishaps for the people. Tsunami is usually known for the series of waves (Beachsafe.org, 2009). A tsunami is caused due to the violent disturbance under the surface of ocean. This disturbance is usually because of earthquake under water. A tsunami is also sometime called as seismic waves. Coastal areas are always open for Tsunamis. EOP: The Emergency Operational Plan may circle around just few things which include prevention, protection, mitigation, responses and the recovery. At very first the planning team members must be collaborative to each other so that they can work in a friendly environment. There should be proper roles and duties assigned to every single group member so that they may not have any clash with each other. This proper allocation of duties of may also clarify the authority delegation among group members. So the chain of command may be decided with no ambiguities. Every group member knows his status in the group and also bewares of his accountability. This may set the direction of decisions and information. Now the planners in the Virginia Beach who are planning for controlling emergency situations caused by the Tsunami should focus on all the aspects of the uncertain situation i.e. the cause, reasons, timings, intensity etc. through this way they can measure the hazards and threats caused by the Tsunami. The goals and objectives of the team members should be set according to the expected intensity of the disaster. When we talk about the idea that other agencies should also work with the Government officials in case of natural disasters then there should be a proper communication network between them and the Local Government. Training should be given to every single member so that he or she may be able on their own behalf to take their part in the emergency operational planning. Exercising or in management terms we can say simulations according to the contingent situations can be a good technique for training the individuals. According to an author there can be various ways to minimize or mitigate the risks and the hazards involved in the natural disasters i.e. early alarming systems, a proper construction planning of building according to the geographical area, network of safe routes and places to be migrated towards them in case of emergency an last but not the least the community awareness regarding the expected natural calamities so that they can be self prepared to cover up the whole emergency situation (Prevention and Mitigation, 2010). Certain Steps to be taken by the Local Government of Virginia Beach in order to Developing Plan and maintaining it: These uncertain situations are very much certain in the cities that the local Government should be ready to take some actions at once in order to save lives of the people residing in the state. The Government alone cannot handle the situation in case of natural disasters. Some private sectors firms, social welfare firms and some other non-Governmental firms commonly called NGOs may also help the Local Bodies using all their available resources. Therefore mutual efforts may results to recover from the disaster soon. The steps which a Government should take are given here; Warning Alarms: There must be warning alarms settled by the Local Government at the beach or we can say seaside. These alarms should be sensitive to the intensity of waves and thus rang in case of high intensity of waves. The general public should be trained enough about the alarming buzzers that they may get ready for any uncertain situation. The Government official should take the responsibility to teach people about these technologies. Urgent Evacuation of People: The Local Government at Virginia Beach should arrange for the urgent evacuation of that coastal area when there is danger of any tsunami or any other water calamity. Because many of the individuals may not afford to leave the place at once. Health Care Facilities: The Local Government should be able to provide health care facilities to the injured people urgently so that they may get saved. Although many people may lose their precious lives but may be some of them will be survives due to proper first aid given to them. Therefore it may decrease the number of casualties caused by the disaster. Re-building Infrastructure: The Local Government should also focus on the rebuilding of the infrastructure which may includes road tracks, thus this may help to reach and approach the affected area. Though it is not possible to do it early but still the Government can have alternate options for the ruined road tracks. Availability of Drinking Water: Whenever any disaster comes then its effects surely lasts for a long time. One of the effects may include the contamination of the water which is being used by the population. The Government should plan accordingly in a way that they can provide clean and pure drinking water to the public unless and until they are not able to arrange the drinking water on their own behalf. Grant of Emergency Loans: Whenever any disaster occurs, it ruined the lives of the people. They may also not be able to earn enough money to at least meet their basic needs. So the Government should arrange for the emergency grant of loans to the affecters of the disaster because in a small city like Virginia Beach, anyone may not get any alternative earning soon. Up-to-date Emergency Plans: There should be up gradations in these emergency plans as the technology advances. These plans should be revised and the track record should be maintained at regular intervals. This will help the Government authorities to work as per the new world and their new ways. Reference List: Beachsafe.org (2009). Causes of tsunami. Retrieved from http://beachsafe.org.au/tsunami/ema/pages/04_causes.html Prevention and mitigation (2010, September 27). Prevention and mitigation. Retrieved from http://www.ngi.no/en/Geohazards/Research/Prevention-and-mitigation/ Emergency Operations Plan (2013). Emergency Operations Plan - Fairfax County, Virginia. Retrieved from http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem/emergency-operations-plan.htm Read More