Disaster management is critical for saving lives and preventing the destruction of property. All manner of calamities happens throughout the world from time to time. Most times, the main causes of calamity are natural occurrences which could be impossible to predict. When disaster strikes, fast response is crucial for the protection of valuable resources. Emergency management revolves around the provision of humanitarian aid during catastrophic situations.
Phases of emergency management
In order to be effective, disaster management is phased into different stages which indicate the nature of the disaster and the kind of methods used to respond to a situation. The four phases that are identified under emergency management are:
- Mitigation
- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
Mitigation involves prevention of disasters or reduction of the effects of disasters. It is possible to map areas that are likely to experience some natural calamity in some cases. When this is possible, active measures like dissemination of information and legislation are done to ensure safety. Risk assessment measures are crucial to the success of disaster mitigation.
Preparedness, on the other hand, is all about communicating the appropriate measures that need to be taken in case emergency management relief is needed. Preparedness is succeeded by the response phase. In the response phase, active measures like deployment of emergency services are done. In this stage, the disaster has already hit and all the available responders are mobilized to carry out search and rescue services in the affected area.
Finally, the recovery phase is where all resources are channeled towards the restoration of the affected area to its former state before the disaster struck. Various recovery approaches might be used depending on the nature of the disaster.
In summary
Emergency management is critical in times of calamity. The task of offering humanitarian services is done by both government and private agencies. Disaster management entails various response methods and proper training is necessary for any emergency worker.