Essay Example on Emergency Management: Preparing Communities to Counter Disasters

Introduction

Emergency Management is an approach designed to take effect on the occurrence of a disaster. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), it stipulates that every individual in the localities they live in should have emergency strategies and equipment in place. As well through the native emergency managers, radicalization programs to equip the community to counter disasters should be undertaken (Veil, Littlefield, & Rowan, 2009). The paper will provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles of multi-agency emergency management, which include; interoperability, communication, and infrastructure requirements for multi-agency emergency readiness will be elucidated. Moreover, the correlation in a broader perspective of emergency management and the state structure between communication and interoperability will be provided.

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Interoperability

Interoperability is understood as the capability of different administrations to efficiently organize and integrate expertise and sustain utilities during routine occurrences or adversities (Walsh, 2012). As well interoperability can be defined as, the ability of the management to coordinate various functions in an organization to contain a situation. Thus, interoperability provides for uniformity in all aspects of emergency management, that is, adopted strategies for containing the non-emergency methods in a particular region should conform to national policy, and if any changes are considered, communication should be effected for appropriate adjustments.

In ensuring compelling, reliable and informed decisions are reached upon, there should be a Unified Command (UC), affiliating key stakeholders. The objective of unifying command is to be at per with situational mindfulness, communications and incident information which should be serviced regularly. Structuring the outline of countering a crisis provides a guarantee of dependability in the occurrence of a disaster. Communications interoperability allows a crisis management team and other key stakeholders to integrate functions through the aid of voice, data, or video gradually, when obligatory, and when ratified. Pertinently, the communications frameworks are to be prepared for interoperability, as productive crisis management and incidence response actions necessitate the reliable stream of uncomplicated information midst zones, orders, associations, and administrations. Interoperability organizing requires representative crisis management and incidence of reaction prospects and complications.

Interoperability preparations should integrate considerations of management, that is, Standard Working Methodology (SOPs), modernism, arranging and events, and application in the situation of the concern and confusion of a notable response action. Assisted simple leadership between offices and wards is significant in building effective and understandable management to aid in achieving interoperability. SOPs to be comprehensible, there is a need to clarify the procedures, methodologies, and conventions imperative in attaining interoperability. Exchanges and data structures as well must be designed adaptively, dependable as well as versatile to assist in maintaining track of the set objectives, that is, providing an outline of the procedure to be followed while working, resources required and quality of the outcome anticipated. All these procedures should align with the organization work guidelines. Embracing all aspects supportive to its existence, that is, provide value to the customers, encourage innovations as well as to adapt flexible and reliable management.

Communication

Communication is understood as a way of channeling information among workers in a different setting to achieve particular objectives of an organization. In matters, multi-agency communication systems, communication like radio, etc. has presented itself as a challenge. Variations of communication by agencies provide instances of incompatibility. The extent of this challenge can worsen especially if there is the involvement of other states agencies. For them to be compatible, then, uniformity is essential, which is, a universal language for more fundamental understanding and conveying the message to solve a crisis (Walsh, 2012). The communication framework is developed by the communication team whereby the context is to utilize all forms of communication channels that is, exchange hardware as well as and agencies structured communication. Furthermore, the group after developing the plan or framework it introduces and examines all exchange hardware, controls and works the incidence communications attention, propagates and improves interchanges equipment selected to an incident facility, and retains as well as cares for communications hardware on-site. Most significant complex incidences will necessitate a Communications Framework (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2017).

Among others responsibilities, the communication team is obligated with gathering the exploitation of radio frequencies; assembling the structures for summoning, premeditated, support, and midcourse divisions; placing the phone on a notable place, and open on-site equipment; and providing directions or instructions to facilitate the work. For radio events, there should be no usage of the codes. To ensure ease in communication and understanding, adhering to the usage of layman's language that is, necessary basic wording understood by everyone by avoiding complicated wording and phrases. The success of this nature of communication would require observing consistency in the choice of words while communicating the other departments, thus, to achieve it; it would need regular practice, and familiarization with every episode however complex it may be (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2017).

The extent of success when using radio tech communications is dependent on concords, and frequencies midst of other emergency management and response team, considerations cover up to operative and expert coordination, conveyance, and organization of communications frameworks which is imperative. Transportability integrates the customary undertaking of radio stations transverse over regions that permits responders to participate in incidents which are not in their area of expertise and still utilize accustomed hardware. Flexibility fluctuates from suitability in that adaptability allows responders to construct the number of customers on a plan, whereas solidity emboldens the teamwork of structures that are generally specific (FEMA, 2017).

Relationship

Interoperability and communication affiliation is essential to the adequacy of response to an emergency. Establishing communication to a unified command system that is national government brings together crucial contributing factors to appropriate emergency management response. Flexibility understood as the ability to embrace aspects from various communications frameworks for an efficient reaction after the central administration has collapsed. It necessitates the interchanging structures to independently function to advanced levels by relying on keenly structured networks. Practical, adaptable, observations could integrate hardened communication motivated, and broadcast frameworks or fundamentals that can endure various risks. Pertinently communication systems ought to have interoperability, the success rate of emergency management and episode response tasks oblige the unremitting course of vital information between authorities, disciplines, groups, and organizations (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2017).

References

Haberfeld, M. R. (2013). Police Leadership: Organizational and Managerial Decision Making Process. Upper Saddle River: Pearson. System. Retrieved from FEMA.GOV: https://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nims/NIMS_core.pdf

U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2017, September 25). National Incident Management

Veil, S. R., Littlefield, R. S., & Rowan, K. E. (2009). Dissemination as Success: Local Emergency Management. Publications Review, 35, 449-451.

Walsh, D. W. (2012). National Incident Management System. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning.