Specific Emergencies and Disasters Which Would Impact the Community - Case Study Example

Identify Specific Emergencies And Disasters Which Would Impact Your Community Introduction This paper describes an emergency management plan for assisting the community living in the Biloxi area of Mississippi from the threats of bombs exploding in the region. Bomb threats are numerous and would have devastating results if they would occur in the area (“Biloxi’s History With Tropical Systems”, 2012; “Biloxi Tornado Information”, 2012). The head of the emergency team will be expected to incorporate the principles of the incident command systems in case such an emergency arises. The paper describes the leader of the response team as the person who will be charged with the task of directing and controlling the disaster operations. It also describes the criteria utilized when determining the lead position during the emergency and the authority that the lead person will possess. In addition, the paper describes the methods of communication that will be used during the emergency to maintain control of the team and the personnel who will be allowed to make independent decisions in the field. Finally, the paper concludes with the author’s opinion concerning the appropriateness of allowing input into the disaster management process during an emergency. The use of the incident command systems in the emergency management plan allows for incorporation of facilities, people, equipment, procedures along with communication mechanisms that work in common organizational structures. The systems will also allow for coordinated responses from the private along with public sectors. In addition, the systems will help in establishing common processes that will be used for planning along with managing the available resources. The advantage of utilizing the systems mainly lies in the fact that it allows the users to assume an incorporated organizational structure when managing multiple disaster occurrences. It’s additionally applicable across all levels of government found in the United States (Miller, 2007). The person who will be responsible for directing and controlling the disaster operations will be the chief of Police for the Biloxi region. In determining the lead position during the emergency, the criteria utilized will mainly aim at ensuring the all the people’s lives along with the properties in their surrounding are protected (“Biloxi’s History With Tropical Systems”, 2012; “Biloxi Tornado Information”, 2012). The team leader will have to be professionally trained in handling bomb explosions since the emergencies may occur at any time without giving prior warning. The lead position will have to be an individual who has the required authority to gather the required rescue resources and control personnel in the shortest possible time (Miller, 2007). In the case of bomb threats in the Biloxi region, the Chief of Police is the most likely candidate to take the lead position since he has the authority and manpower at his disposal for coordinating the rescue efforts (“Biloxi’s History With Tropical Systems”, 2012; “Biloxi Tornado Information”, 2012). The police department has to first of all ascertain whether reports concerning bomb threats in the region are true in regards to the information they have received. During an emergency of this nature, the chief of police has the authority of initiating emergency responses and instant searches for any explosive materials in the targeted area (Miller, 2007). He or she also has the authority of determining whether a full search in the area is required after the evaluation of their available information is complete. He is additionally able to form search teams in a short period of time since he knows the most appropriate departments and personnel in the force for handling the situation. Upon discovering the bomb in the area, the chief of police has the authority of using his force to prevent people from going into areas that have already been sealed off (Tornado, 2012). In order to effectively maintain control during the team emergency response efforts, radio communications applicable to amateurs will be utilized. Amateur radio has been widely used before in emergency situations where wired, cellular along with other conventional forms of communication have failed. This type of communication method is applicable in bomb scenes since it does not usually depend on any terrestrial equipment for support (“Biloxi’s History With Tropical Systems”, 2012; “Biloxi Tornado Information”, 2012). This implies that unlike other communication methods that would fail when their terrestrial equipment is not functioning as expected, this type of communication method will always be reliable. In addition, these communication technologies have the ability of being spread out within the entire community to ensure the area is properly scrutinized for any suspicious activities. They communication method has the advantage that even if a very large number of coordination calls are being made during an emergency, the lines cannot be overloaded (Miller, 2007). The flow of information within the team will come from the top most officer in-charge of the team to the lowest ranks. The information will flow from the chief of police to the associate director of the region’s control group on bombs to their chief of staff along with the members of the police force on the ground. The other members of the control group concerned with bombs include the safety officers, emergency managers and the managing officers in charge of facilities. The team members who are on the ground will be required to report the developments that are happening in the field to their superiors for further directions (Tornado, 2012). The control of the group will be ensured through the use of a centralized decision making authority which will consist of the associate director for the control group on bomb threats and the police chief for the Biloxi area (“Biloxi’s History With Tropical Systems”, 2012; “Biloxi Tornado Information”, 2012). A variety of people will be allowed to make independent decisions in the field during such an emergency in the region. The people who will be allowed to exercise such authority are the senior officials in the bomb control group who include their associate director, their facilities management officers, the police chief, safety officers and emergency managers. However, before any official has taken an independent decision, he or she will have to first consult the police chief before the decision is implemented. This will be done for the purpose of ensuring that there is uniform coordination in the team rescue efforts which will come from the police chief (Miller, 2007). The officers have been allowed to make independent decisions because they have the required experience, expertise along with ability of handling similar situations. In addition, the officers have the authority of investigating further on the source and ownership of any explosive materials that may be discovered (“Biloxi’s History With Tropical Systems”, 2012; “Biloxi Tornado Information”, 2012). In the personal opinion of the author, it is necessary to allow for inputs into the disaster management process during an emergency since it helps the team working on the disaster to make changes in their operations that will enable them to achieve success. The situation on the ground could change requiring either more expertise or materials to curb its effects. This, therefore, implies that the additional information would be vital for ensuring the success of the team handling it because it keeps the team informed. References Biloxi’s History With Tropical Systems. (2012). Hurricanecity.com. Retrieved June 2, 2012 from http://www.hurricanecity.com/city/biloxi.htm Biloxi Tornado Information. (2012). Homefacts.com. Retrieved June 2, 2012 from http://www.homefacts.com/tornadoes/Mississippi/Harrison-County/Biloxi.html Miller, C. (2007). The Introduction And Expansion Of GIS Into A Small Local Health Department Drinking-Water Program. Journal of Environmental Health, 69 (6), 35-41. Tornado. (2012). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved on June 2, 2012 from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/599941/tornado/218375/Duration Read More