Planning and Operations in Crisis in Emergency Management: IS-1.A FEMA Course - Case Study Example

Emergency Operations Plan affiliation Emergency Operations Plan Across the globe, the occurrence of disasters may be inevitable. This creates the need to develop Emergency Operations plans. The plans are developed with the objective of minimizing the risks that may be generated from a disaster or prevent the occurrence of a disaster. In developed countries, an EOP is well structured to increase its effectiveness on disaster preparedness. An EOP is based on four mission areas. They are prevention, mitigation, response and recovery (FEMA, 2010).

Recovery is the ability of an EOP to detect a disaster before it could happen. In general, recovery minimizes the risks from human based events. Planning of a prevention action constitutes of actions that may the possibility of an event occurring. In addition, it also constitute of action that may minimize effects on humans and infrastructures. Mitigation comprises of activities aimed at minimizing the long-term effects on people and property in regards to disaster. In an argument by FEMA (2010) the mitigation plan recognizes that an event may occur and cause harm; it then provides measures that may minimize the effects on people and infrastructure.

Response plan are actions developed to react hastily and effectively after an event has occurred. A response plan is well suited if it provides an immediate plan to save lives, provide people with basic human needs, reduce impact felt on the environment and minimize the loss of property. A response plan should be easy to carry out, quick to action, well adaptable and flexible. Recovery comprises of action plans developed to help communities deal with an aftermath of an event. A recovery plan should be inclusive of both long and short term plans to the affected communities.

FEMA (2010) asserts that an action plan is created to restore the lives of people affected and also provide a lasting solution to an event. In 2011, the Mississippi River Valley was hit floods. The event caused a damage of $2 to $4 billion (FEMA, 2010). This was as a result of floods from Mississippi River. In addition, 20 people were killed by events created by the flood. If the areas had a well created EOP, the disaster could have been prevented or the effects could have been milder. The prevention plans would have predicted the event before it occurred.

From the weather patterns, before the disaster it was an assumption that the Mississippi would surpass its maximum capacity level (FEMA, 2010). For this reason, plans could have been created to protect both the proper and the community from the floods. In regards to mitigation, the plan was not effective enough considering the level of damage caused in the area. The mitigation plan could have minimized the effects on infrastructure and property. However, the response to the event was effective as people were evacuated.

In addition, the response team was able to save lives of people that were affected in the event. From the event, the area has developed plans that would ensure the safety of people in case of another flood. However, long term plans should be created to build homes at a level and distance that would be out of reach by floods. ReferenceFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2010). Developing and Maintaining Emergency Operations Plans: Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 101.Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1828-25045-0014/cpg_101_comprehensive_preparedness_guide_developing_and_maintaining_emergency_operations_plans_2010.pdf