Creating a cooperative Inter-Departmental atmosphere in Emergency Management - Research Paper Example

For example, Chernobyl disaster and Three Miles Island disaster has taught the world the necessity of interdepartmental cooperation in emergency management. It is impossible for a single department to manage huge disasters effectively. In fact, many countries seek the assistance of other countries when severe disasters occur. For example, Pakistan sought international aid recently when severe flood and storm struck many parts of that country which made the human life standstill. This paper reviews the available literature in order to learn more about the necessity of interdepartmental cooperation in managing emergency situations.

“An effective emergency management system requires the most efficient use of all available resources. Whenever possible, emergency responsibilities should be the extensions of federal agencies” (Haddow et al, 2008. p.6). Many countries have emergency management and disaster preparedness agencies and programs. However, when disaster strikes heavily, it is impossible for these agencies to manage the problems independently because of the complex elements involved in the rescue and disaster management process.

For example, nuclear disasters are common nowadays because of the increased use of nuclear power plants to produce nuclear energies. The Chernobyl accident in 1986 was the result of a flawed reactor design that was operated with inadequately trained personnel. The resulting steam explosion and fires released at least 5% of the radioactive reactor core into the atmosphere and downwind. Two Chernobyl plant workers died on the night of the accident, and a further 28 people died within a few weeks as a result of acute radiation poisoning (Chernobyl Accident, 2009) Chernobyl nuclear power plant staffs were not trained properly to face any eventualities.

Moreover, improper design of the reactor was the major cause of this disaster. It is difficult for the emergency management agency alone to