Dealing with Disaster - Assignment Example

1. The incident is big and can be called emergency. This is because “the incident is huge and the emergency services are not able to deal with it”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, Pg 9) It is important to coordinate all the activities. The different department like police, fire, ambulance, hospitals, public care services, all need to work together. In this case we will put in force the technical level structure or level II. This is so because the incident is of a high magnitude and to control it all departments need to work together. Here, the operational level also needs to work in tandem. The operational level will help to have an inner cordon at the site. Here, “all the services like police, fire fighters, ambulance; hospitals and so on should work together and have a common point where they can report”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 26) This will ensure that in case the risk increases there will be better coordination. “People entering and leaving the site need to register themselves so that there is no negligence”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 26) The outer cordon which is part of the tactical level helps to “cover a larger area and cordoning a larger area will help emergency services to work effectively”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 27) This will help to control traffic which is usually high on the incident site as people run around for safety. It is important that the structure is decided in such a way that it is easy to carry the injured to safe place. At the same time it is important to see that panic doesn’t spread as it will lead to disruption in services. It also requires that air operations over the incident site are restricted. All agencies should start working together. The air service should look to keep an air vigil and any incident which is not normal should be reported. It is important that all the services understand their responsibilities and work together to counter this incident. It is also important that the armed forces and the essential service providers like telecom should function in full swing. It is needed that all the departments recognize their responsibilities and work towards controlling the incident. 2. The responsibility of Category one responders increases in emergencies. “He needs to first inform the local authorities of any such incidents so that immediate actions can be taken”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 15) The first responder normally to reach the site is police. Their first job is to see “the protection of life of people around the site”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 16) They also need to save the evidence for further enquiry. “They need to cordon off the area as fast as possible and call for other emergency operations to take control of the situation”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 16) The fire service department has a huge role to play. “They need to rescue people who have been trapped and rescue them”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 16) As they are better competent to deal with released chemicals so they need to be in full force in our case as there is a threat from chemical. The role of the ambulance increases. This is due to the fact that injuries rise when such a casualty happen. “It is important that the injured are taken to the nearest hospitals and provided proper care”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 17) The other agencies should see that the path for carrying patients is clear. This would reduce unnecessary delays. The hospitals should ensure the availability of doctors. “There should be doctors available all the time, medicines should be sufficient, and proper treatment should be provided”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 18) This would help to bring casualties under control. The maritime and coastal agencies also need to perform their duties. “They need to use sea as a medium to save people, and see that the casualties are low”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 40, 2009) The other department should also be in full swing. This will ensure better management. It is important that collect information is passed on. The first responder should also deal with the situation in such a way so that panic doesn’t spread. They should be careful and deal with the situation carefully. It is important that the responders are quick and the information passed is correct and reliable. 3. The emergency operators need to function efficiently and see that the injured are dealt with care. They need to identify the minor injuries, people who have major injuries and person who have died. The problem that arises for them is that there is so much confusion at the site of the incident that it becomes difficult to put an operation in place. The issues which arise are they need to take “the injured to a safe place and then after identifying their injuries send them to hospitals”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 35) The problem here is to identify the injuries. The other problem which arises is that as casualties’ increase, hospitals run out of bed. There is shortage of medicine and it becomes difficult to cope with it. The problem arises with “transportation of medical team to the site and patients to hospitals”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 35) The roads have more traffic than normal. This makes transport a problem. Other agencies need to ensure that this problem is reduced and panic doesn’t spread. “Treating the uninjured who have suffered shock, anxiety and grief becomes a problem”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 36) Since, the scene created is such that looking and caring the patients become tough. There is total confusion and this leads to more casualties and there is total confusion. Even the management part suffers. The other problem is that “anxious family members are looking for their family and friends”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 36) This makes the hospitals and incident site loaded with people. ‘This delays further treatment and it becomes difficult for hospitals to provide correct information as they are busy treating the patients and this leads to confusion”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 42) So it is important that such centers are also developed so that identification of patients become easy and relatives get the correct information. Dealing with people who have died is also a problem. They need to “identify people who are not surviving and that should be correct”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 46) They should ensure that the correct data regarding this is collected so that panic doesn’t spread. “They should ensure that agencies don’t make people look at bodies who are dead to identify their families as it will create total unrest among them”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 46) As the number of injured increases medicines start to run out. Even doctors find it tough as they have to work continuously without rest. This creates further problem as serious patients need to be transported elsewhere. But, since the situation is such that there is complete turmoil so almost all emergency services stop working and patients suffer as they have to wait for long hours to reach the hospitals. 4. Passing on the information to the public is critical. This will help to calm people. When the correct information in the right manner is passed confusion is less. “They need to provide information which is correct”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 60) An issue which arises in passing the information is “who is suitable to pass on the message”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 186, 2009) The person who has to pass the information should be selected carefully and depends on the magnitude of operation. “The information passed should have consistency and should be clear without confusion” (Emergency response and recovery, pg 186, 2009) else would lead to controversies. Even using websites to pass information is a good medium. The thing to watch is that correct information is posted. This would help communication better as control lies with higher agencies. Even social networking sites would be beneficial. This is so because millions today use the internet. Having a call centre will also help. People can get information by contacting them. For this it is essential that the number is circulated to the mass so that the medium becomes effective. Even the internal information should be complete. “Employees should not pass on information which they are not aware as it would misguide the public”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 189, 2009) For all this to be effective it is important that correct message is passed. “The agencies need to ensure that any misleading information is not communicated”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 59) The message should not spread panic. It should calm people. They should be made aware of the actual situation in hand. Communication should be clear and consistent. People should be able to value the process. 5. The emergency agencies need to communicate the incident properly. They should see that the information passed is what has actually happened. This could otherwise spread panic. The agency should regularly pass on the information so that everyone is aware of the happenings. It will be a scenario where the media comes and covers all the news. The agencies need to see that the correct information is transmitted. To make the communication of the incident correct a point need to be established. All the information needs to be communicated from that point only. People from the agencies should refrain from giving information to the media. Only the concerned authority should communicate. This will ensure that the information passed is correct. The agencies also should see that information regarding the injured is not disclosed till it’s confirmed. This will lead to spread of unnecessary panic among the people. They need to take every step with care. Importance should be given to the information passed. All this should be done keeping in mind to maintain a good relation. The officer in charge for communication should not give irresponsible statements. At the same time he should ensure that harmony is maintained with the media. It is important that a good relation exist. In this case we see that the incident has already created a furor. People are concerned what has happened and the emergency number has more calls to handle. The person in charge has to ensure that the correct information is passed relating to the chemical or biological attack. They need to say what all is happening at the same time ensure that there is calmness. They should pass on the information in such a way which shows that things are under their control. This would help people believe in the system and reduce panic. This will also ensure that people have the correct information. So, it is important that the information passed is pertinent. It should be brief and to the point. Only the concerned person should speak and consistency should be maintained. 6. It is important that media is dealt properly. “With advent of technology there are hundreds of channels working day and night, and covering all information so they need to be dealt effectively”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 189, 2009) Since there is this technology to watch videos “they need immediate information else it would lead to rumors”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 189, 2009) It is important to communicate with them properly. “There should be a media cell from where all the information is passed”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 191, 2009) Only concerned person should speak. Other should refrain. This would help in passing correct information. “People who don’t have the authority should not come in the public to give statements”. (Blunkett, dealing with disaster, pg 57) When the situation is grim “it is important that we have senior person who has handled such a situation before so that he is better able to communicate and able to handle the situation better”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 191, 2009) There will be situation when media has to capture certain videos. Arrangements need to be made for it. It should be ensured that proper arrangement is made for it. It should also been seen that they are handled with cool. Media will be looking for regular information. ‘Arrangements need to be made to provide them information at regular intervals so that rumors don’t spread”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 194, 2009) So, as the information reaches and is confirmed it should be disclosed. The disclosure should be true and unbiased. It is also important to see that “information is disclosed in electronic form and distributed”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 194, 2009) This will ensure that every time the concerned person won’t have to speak. It will also ensure same information is passed to all and there will be consistency among the news channel regarding information. “It is important to control them at the site”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 196, 2009) They should not be allowed to touch anything. This could result in leaking of evidence. “They should not be allowed to enter the cordoned area”. (Emergency response and recovery, pg 196, 2009) Thus it is important that they are handled carefully. Care should be given any the concerned person should behave well with the media else it could lead to spreading panic as people have this resource to gather all the information. 7. The country has been hit by attack from some terrorist group. News has been coming from all around the place that some incidents have happened. Reports are also been received and we are confirming the fact that we have been hit by terrorist. There is news that an aircraft has sprayed chemicals at Blackpool. We also confirm that report. We have also received a report that many vehicles collision has taken place as the news is spreading. Another report saying that an aircraft has hit Blackpool tower is also coming. This has caused fire and the emergency services are in operation. We request the people to maintain calm and have belief in the system. All the emergency services have been activated and all the concerned departments have started to work. The fire fighters have left for the place. The police services have also been made more active to control the traffic. The whole area of the crime has been cordoned. Even the hospitals have been said to get ready for emergency. Medicines and other facilities for the patients have been made ready. Even ambulances have been sent for their services. Till now no confirmed reports have been received regarding the number of casualties. Even a helpline number has been started where all the information regarding the casualties and deceased will be found. We request all people that they bring to notice any suspected person or object. We also request people to stay at home as there are reports that something has been sprayed in the air so being at home would prevent them. We also request people to maintain calm and not listen to rumors. Information will be communicated time and again. We request the people to believe in us and we will be able to handle this situation. References Blunkett D, “Dealing with disaster”, pg 9, 3rd edition, Cabinet office civil Contingencies Secretariat Blunkett D, “Dealing with disaster”, pg 15-18, 3rd edition, Cabinet office civil Contingencies Secretariat Blunkett D, “Dealing with disaster”, pg 26-27, 3rd edition, Cabinet office civil Contingencies Secretariat Blunkett D, “Dealing with disaster”, pg 42-46, 3rd edition, Cabinet office civil Contingencies Secretariat Blunkett D, “Dealing with disaster”, pg 57-60, 3rd edition, Cabinet office civil Contingencies Secretariat Emergency response and recovery, pg 40, 2009, HM Government, UK Emergency response and recovery, pg 35-36, 2009, HM Government, UK Emergency response and recovery, pg 186-189, 2009, HM Government, UK Emergency response and recovery, pg 191-196, 2009, HM Government, UK Read More