National Risk Register - Article Example

Introduction The objective of this poster is to evaluate critically UK’s national risk register of civil emergencies and their risk assessment criteria. The poster will begin by identifying the risks assessed, tools for risk assessments, strategies for assessing the risk assess, the impact of civil emergencies, and response to emergencies. It will also critically appraise strength and weaknesses of risk management approaches implemented by the government of UK. Risk assessed The government of UK has covered all emergencies as risks that need to be managed. The risks identified are pandemic influenza, coastal flooding, catastrophic terrorists attack, severe effusive volcanic eruptions, fire, contamination, and severe weather Tools for risk assessment The detection of emergencies is difficult because their periods of occurrence are difficult to detect. The government uses experts in identifying possible emergencies and where they are likely to occur. They consider reasonable worse case for planning purposes. Emergencies like floods, major accidents, earthquakes and terrorism have been assessed based on last five years data. However there are inherent uncertainties associated with this form of risk assessment. The risk assessment methodology follows risk assessment approaches that are based on probability calculations. The national register risk-based system classifies risks into asset-based and geographic-based risks. The probability calculations of risks are relative owing to the dynamic nature of chronological valuations of the various aspects of risk. Historical data is collected from the trends in the behavior of the insurance and financial sectors. The large amounts of historical data on emergencies are collected from the databases of the government and non-governmental departments. Government’s intelligence and experts use this data to draw up assumptions, and perform risk calculations important in the prediction of possible threat scenarios targeting various assets and geographical areas. They performs various mathematical calculations including weighting, computational order to control, and normalization calculations to evaluate the probabilities of acquiring risk in the various areas. The ability by experts to assess and analyze risk threats is dependent on the intelligence and investigative information collected by the government. The Government has put up structures to enhance information sharing. The government has in the recent past fostered close ties with international partners in an effort to strengthen counterterrorism efforts against Al Qaeda and other global terrorism threats. They are working closely with these nations to implement programs that underscore the need for mutual information systems. The information is specifically essential for preparedness and defense against all form of risks. NRA has managed to collect information for possible 80 types of scenarios that have a possibility of being considered as risks. The risks are not measured on their actual but on possible occurrence. Methods of risks NRA’s system of integrating data collected from authorities is not well developed. Thus, logical and systematic incorporation of data into threat assessment at the federal level has proved to be difficult. NRA will have to strike proper balance between the issue of security and privacy rights. The Department is faced with potential setbacks in relation to addressing security breach, while simultaneously maintaining the individual’s rights, and seeking effective ways of working with particular neighborhoods that are at risk of facing homegrown threats. NRA’s sensitive information with regard to intelligence and law enforcement obtained through risk assessment may be leaked through disclosure of the formulas used for determining threat, vulnerability, and consequence. The revelation of the risk formula presents the possibility of manipulation of NRA data which warrants additional funding without adequate justification for risk-based funding. The risk-based approach of allocating funds among the departments and local partners. This may be attributable to the fact that the funds may not necessarily increase in the future as the budget is not concerned over future misappropriations. Some areas that are at a greater risk of terrorism attacks may have their risk profiles lowered by NRA, especially when the authorities in that particular area continue to endorse earlier-known risk susceptibilities. Nevertheless, transparency of NRA’s risk-based formula for allocating resources can boost confidence in other agencies. Moreover, it can minimize complaints that apparently arise with fiscal allocation of resources. This is based on the judgment that grant applicants are content with the NRA’s risk assessment process and cognizant of data streams for calculating risks. Qualifications /quantification Risk assessment is quantified based on number of fatalities that have occurred or are likely to occur in case such an emergency has taken place. It is also measured on the number of people who have been affected in terms of injury or illness due to the emergency. The level of social interruption and economic harm the people is used in quantifying the effects of the risk. When looking at the economic harm the government considers the impact on the productivity and repairs. When this information is available, is used by the government to get prepared to attack all the risks. This risk is put on the scale of 0 to 5 in order to indicate the relative impact of this risk. The following is the risk assessment done by the NRA.   Practice in response to the rate assessment The preventive ways that the government has identified in order to mitigate the effects of emergencies are not similar but unique to each risk. Terrorism requires physical check of individuals accessing risk areas. Influenza pandemic has been identified as H1N1 and experts agreed that stocking enough antiviral medicines as well as advising citizens on H1N1 possible individuals has been used. Risks like fires are contained by equipping fire fighting department with proper equipments. Risks associated with crowded areas, anywhere in the world are countered by the government by long standing and regularly tasted and plans to handle mass causalities. This is done by having health facilities that are able to respond quickly to such instances. The government has also facilitated the training of enough personnel as well as the acquisition of equipment which will be used in case of emergencies. They have also improved security in crowded areas as well as raising awareness among citizens of the country on possible attacks by terrorists possible flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, infectious diseases, severe weather, technical failure of power networks, satellites, aviations and nuclear plants and contamination. The preparedness of the government is centered on specific sector planning. This include:- plants for restore of electricity, water and sewerage, restoration of communication lines, evacuation of human from emergencies. Comparison of U.S.A and UK risk policies There are a lot of similarities between national risk register of civil emergencies and strategic risk assessments of United States of America. Both are aimed at identifying risk factors with the aim of developing strategies and capabilities for prevention, mitigation, response, protection and recovery. Both of them involve various agencies in collecting information that are used for preparedness. They have identified similar risks factors but strategic national risk of USA has included aircraft as a weapon, armed assaults, damn failure, Tsunami and hurricane which are not specifically mentioned in the national risk register of civil emergencies. They have the following as risk factors: - Animal Disease outbreak, Earthquake, Flood, human pandemic outbreak, space weather, volcanic eruption, and wildfire. The aim of strategic risk assessment is to expand homeland security department capacity by using organized and structured evaluation of risk factors. The risk based security policy facilitates the collection, integration analysis, and communication of information regarding possible emergencies which is important in strategically prioritizing efforts and scarcely resources across the DHS enterprise. The implementation of the risk based framework across the homeland security spectrum is essential in recognizing and assessing potential hazards including the downstream impacts. The risk based security policy creates the incentive to utilize scarcely resources prudently by focusing on this resources in areas that need them most. Resources are located among all Homeland Security partners after determination of acceptable levels of relative risks, which is important in prioritizing and distributing resources. The system underscores the sharing of information and intelligence through cooperation by different agencies both in the United States and globally. The Risk-based security policy is motivated by sharing of information. Therefore, the system’s efficiency and effectiveness increases when the various partners involved in information sharing increase the volume and quality of information. This increases the probability of recognizing and countering any potential threat that may arise . Comparison of 2010 and 2012 National Risk Register of civil emergencies The 2012 National Risk Register of civil emergencies has incorporated two new risks which was not covered by 2010 edition. These include volcanic eruptions and associated emergencies. This was prompted by the volcanic eruptions in Iceland which caused a lot of scare in Europe. The other issue that has been included is severe space weather. Severe space weather covers a range of different phenomena, including solar flares, coronel mass ejections and solar energetic particle events. Severe space weather can cause disruption to a range of technologies and infrastructure, including communications systems, electronic circuits and power grids. The ‘reasonable worst case’ for a severe space weather event is based on the so-called Carrington Event in 1859, which saw some of the largest space weather phenomena ever recorded. Recommendations for Policy Change NRA must incorporate elaborate risk management methodologies and principles in order to successfully prepare for, respond to, recoup from, and counter any potential threats by emergencies. The NRA methodology should evaluate relative risks and design strategies that ensure effective implementation of the counterterrorism mitigation measures. The rising dissensions over the NRA formula of allocating funds may be resolved if a comparative analysis of how the historical background of government reduce the risks and form the rationale for grant allocation. It is imperative for NRA to concentrate on assessing risks related to particular assets and geographical areas at a micro level bearing in mind the various potential homegrown and global threats. The NRA policy needs to clarify the level of acceptable risk. The risk-based approach should be dynamic as the risk management measures of today may not be applicable to the near to long-term future. The Department must be more flexible in managing risk because of the dynamic nature of countering risk that underlies uncertainties plaguing risk assessment. Historical data on the past risks is very essential in resource allocation. It is important for the government to foster strong relationships with local communities based on mutual trust and a common objective of preventing threats in the UK. NRA efforts must not alienate the local communities but rather engage them actively across the spectrum. The NRA Policy must effectively address the issues of emergencies, which is increasingly becoming a threat to UK communities. The NRA experts should aim at liaising with local community groups, leaders, law enforcers, learning institutions, imams, and other citizens that are willing to rescue their family members from emergencies. National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies Read More

NRA’s sensitive information with regard to intelligence and law enforcement obtained through risk assessment may be leaked through disclosure of the formulas used for determining threat, vulnerability, and consequence. The revelation of the risk formula presents the possibility of manipulation of NRA data which warrants additional funding without adequate justification for risk-based funding. The risk-based approach of allocating funds among the departments and local partners. This may be attributable to the fact that the funds may not necessarily increase in the future as the budget is not concerned over future misappropriations.

Some areas that are at a greater risk of terrorism attacks may have their risk profiles lowered by NRA, especially when the authorities in that particular area continue to endorse earlier-known risk susceptibilities. Nevertheless, transparency of NRA’s risk-based formula for allocating resources can boost confidence in other agencies. Moreover, it can minimize complaints that apparently arise with fiscal allocation of resources. This is based on the judgment that grant applicants are content with the NRA’s risk assessment process and cognizant of data streams for calculating risks.

Qualifications /quantification Risk assessment is quantified based on number of fatalities that have occurred or are likely to occur in case such an emergency has taken place. It is also measured on the number of people who have been affected in terms of injury or illness due to the emergency. The level of social interruption and economic harm the people is used in quantifying the effects of the risk. When looking at the economic harm the government considers the impact on the productivity and repairs.

When this information is available, is used by the government to get prepared to attack all the risks. This risk is put on the scale of 0 to 5 in order to indicate the relative impact of this risk. The following is the risk assessment done by the NRA.   Practice in response to the rate assessment The preventive ways that the government has identified in order to mitigate the effects of emergencies are not similar but unique to each risk. Terrorism requires physical check of individuals accessing risk areas.

Influenza pandemic has been identified as H1N1 and experts agreed that stocking enough antiviral medicines as well as advising citizens on H1N1 possible individuals has been used. Risks like fires are contained by equipping fire fighting department with proper equipments. Risks associated with crowded areas, anywhere in the world are countered by the government by long standing and regularly tasted and plans to handle mass causalities. This is done by having health facilities that are able to respond quickly to such instances.

The government has also facilitated the training of enough personnel as well as the acquisition of equipment which will be used in case of emergencies. They have also improved security in crowded areas as well as raising awareness among citizens of the country on possible attacks by terrorists possible flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, infectious diseases, severe weather, technical failure of power networks, satellites, aviations and nuclear plants and contamination. The preparedness of the government is centered on specific sector planning.

This include:- plants for restore of electricity, water and sewerage, restoration of communication lines, evacuation of human from emergencies. Comparison of U.S.A and UK risk policies There are a lot of similarities between national risk register of civil emergencies and strategic risk assessments of United States of America. Both are aimed at identifying risk factors with the aim of developing strategies and capabilities for prevention, mitigation, response, protection and recovery. Both of them involve various agencies in collecting information that are used for preparedness.

They have identified similar risks factors but strategic national risk of USA has included aircraft as a weapon, armed assaults, damn failure, Tsunami and hurricane which are not specifically mentioned in the national risk register of civil emergencies.

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