All-Hazards Approach to Emergency Preparedness Paper Example

Response to Thread 1

I agree with the description that the student has provided for 'all-hazards' and terrorism. It fits within the context of the discussion by going a step further to identify the differences between the two terms. I think 'all-hazards' is more of a general term while the term 'terrorism' narrows down on a specific type of hazard that a community can experience. Moreover, the post has pointed out that even though terrorism fits within the term 'all-hazards' it should be given a special kind of treatment. I agree with that logic because terrorism is the main reason for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, 2015). I also agree with the statement that terrorism should take precedence over natural disasters; however, I disagree with the logic that the student has used to justify the argument. Terrorism as a human-made calamity is controllable and predictable as compared to natural disasters which are unpredictable (Cross, 2016). Therefore, the focus should be on things that we can prevent as opposed to natural calamities such as hurricanes. For example, the authorities can prepare for a hurricane, respond to it and set up recovery operations. However, they will not be able to prevent the hurricane even when they know the time and location that it will strike. On the other hand, intelligence-gathering agencies such as CIA, FBI and Homeland Security can gather information and use it to prevent an impending terrorist attack. Terrorism should, therefore, have priority over natural disasters due to the reason described above.

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Response to Thread 2

Post 2 intrigues me because it has made a point of including the four phases of disaster management into the definition for all hazards. I also regard it as an informative post because it has described the process through which FEMA became involved in matters relating to terrorism. As one would know, FEMA is currently part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) even though it predates the department by over two decades (FEMA, 2019). The fact that the Murrah Federal Building Bombing was the point for FEMA involvement with terrorism is new information. I agree with what the post says about natural disasters and terrorism. However, I do not think it is applicable in the real world. Limited resources such as finances, personnel and time will force one to take precedence over the other. It is also important to note that emergencies pose different levels of risks to the population and the one with the most risk takes priority (Lortz, 2018). I would also like to add that the all-hazards approach prevents conflict between different agencies because all departments are housed under a single umbrella organization.

References

Cross, R. J. (2016, September 22). Disasters are Unpredictable; Be Prepared. Retrieved from Defense Logistics Agency: http://www.dla.mil/AboutDLA/News/NewsArticleView/Article/952295/disasters-are-unpredictable-be-prepared/

DHS. (2015, September 24). Creation of the Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved from Department of Homeland Security(DHS): https://www.dhs.gov/creation-department-homeland-security

FEMA. (2019, January 30). About the Agency. Retrieved from FEMA: https://www.fema.gov/about-agency

Lortz, M. (2018, January 9). What is the All-Hazards Approach to Emergency Preparedness? Retrieved from Everbridge: https://www.everbridge.com/blog/what-is-the-all-hazards-approach/