Disaster Response and Recovery - Case Study Example

?Preparation for a terrorist attack In an urban setting, it should be recognized that rigid organizational boundaries are no longer effective in terrorist attack response (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011; Kapucu, 2012). It is thus important for a disaster coordinator to summon representatives from these organizations so that a collective decision can be made regarding action during disaster situations. Primarily, an emergency management agency (EMA) should be formed, and this agency should develop a plan to specify the roles and responsibilities of respondent agencies during disaster situations. Generally, each agency, aside from the role specific to them, should have a means to gather intelligence and to provide information to its personnel, the public and to the emergency management agency (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). In addition, a center for intelligence, training design, preparedness, technological enhancements, and strategizing should be created. It should perform researches, strategize, plan, and organize leadership training programs and seminars. The regular intelligence gathering and planning allow the current procedures to cater to the possible threats that may materialize in the future (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). Next, general guidelines on tactical directions should be created by the EMA. There should be a particular response for HazMat, chemical attacks in subways, as well as biological, radiological and nuclear attacks. Rescue measures during collapse, explosions and under-river tunnel operations (if applicable) should also be designed (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). Subgroups of individuals with the appropriate skills and knowledge for these objectives can be tapped to focus on these tasks. Safety of the respondents should also be considered. Adequate equipment, efficient communication, and safe procedures all contribute to the safety during disaster situations. In addition, regular seminars regarding these topics should be given to all personnel affected. A subgroup can be assigned for this task as well (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). An important part of preparation is the functional and full-scale exercises that evaluate the preparedness of the team for all the possible scenarios that can occur. It should be able to simulate a terrorist attack. It aims to widen the analytical, leadership and decision-making skills, especially in a stress-packed environment (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). This is where research efforts come in. Knowing what the terrorists are capable of doing can aid significantly the preparation of the city. Information infrastructure becomes much more vital since self-organizing groups are more common in the cities. In addition, this can be used to tap the citizenry that can provide financial support and blood reservoir after catastrophes. It was found that ample social support improves emergency response significantly (Kapucu, 2012). It should also be included in the long-term plan of the EMA to supplement the knowledge and experience in terrorism studies and leadership of the respondents. The U. S. Military Academy, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, West Point’s Combating Terrorism Center, and Center of Homeland Defense offer courses regarding terrorist response. In return, the EMA and its participating agencies can hold seminars to the public, especially to individuals of a related profession, in an effort to make them more aware and prepared. They can also apply their learning to the overall preparation for terrorist attacks (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). Security improvement in vulnerable sites Individualized security systems should be implemented for subway stations, airports and other facilities where large people gather, as well as industrial enterprises, such as food, computer, electricity generating stations, oil refineries, and nuclear fuel storage facilities (Kumarl, 2012). In particular, disaster situations in HazMat facilities should be responded by personnel especially trained for it. In this regard, HazMats should be advised to organize a seminar for employees to prepare them to deal with these chemicals. The security systems for these facilities should include organizational measures, which provide plans for the personnel’s and visitors’ regular and emergency situation activities. Training exercises and courses should also be provided to facilitate swift rescue, site familiarization drills and evacuation. In addition, technical measures such as security, barriers, fire alarm, inspection points, and log book of individuals in and out of the area, warning systems such as loudspeakers, monitoring systems, and systems for limiting access of facilities should be in place for all facilities. Limited access and constant monitoring should be especially implemented in points that are vital to the area’s function. Finally, a communication system should be in place to allow contact to EMA, fire department, search and rescue personnel (Kumarl, 2012), law enforcement, healthcare providers such as hazmat EMT/paramedics, transportation systems, as well as environmental protection units (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). In turn, these agencies should be informed of their roles to these areas once disaster strikes (Kumarl, 2012). One of their roles is to regularly inspect the areas of vulnerability for susceptibility to terrorism-related hazards. These agencies should also have personnel that are adept in dealing with HazMat situations (Bloomberg, Cassano and Kilduff, 2011). Emergency management plan According to Kapucu (2012), emergency management plans for cities should be designed to cater to the demographic background, community needs, amount of resources, geography, and socio-economic status. In addition, as mentioned above, security systems should be specific to the areas recognized to be vulnerable to attacks. Understandably, a wide-scoped disaster should mobilize an incident command system that utilizes divisions, or groups that are assigned to certain areas of the incident. Now knowing the areas of vulnerability, representatives from these areas should be more involved in the incident command system (ICS). A representative should be invited in the ICS, since he/she can provide valuable inputs to aid in the decision-making of the incident commander and ICS personnel. In particular, he/she is essential in the planning function of the system, specifically the demobilization unit, which works to plan an orderly, safe and efficient response. If a food-producing industry is affected, individuals from this industry should be included in the operation section to determine how to best re-establish the infrastructure, what hazards the responding personnel should watch out for. For example, an expert in radiological material and its effects during disasters is a valuable resource person that was brought upon in Japan to help organize a command system that can handle such emergency situations (Petersen, 2012). References Bloomberg, M. R., Cassano, S. J. & Kilduff, E. S. (2011). FDNY Counterterrorism and Risk Management Strategy. Retrieved from: www.nyc.gov/fdny Kapucu, N. (2012). Disaster and emergency management systems in urban areas. Cities, 29, S41 S49. Kumarl, C. (2012). Challenges of Global Terrorism – Strategies, Dimensions and Response: In Search of a Perspective. International Affairs and Global Strategy, 3, 7-19. Petersen, K. (2012, February 16). USDA Radiologist Discusses Impact of Fukushima Nuclear Accident. Retrieved from: http://www.agnr.umd.edu/news/article.cfm?id=879004f70a5a5a8f001c2628bda5272a Read More