Emergency management in the United States has changed over time since new risks have been recognized and the techniques of dealing with such dangers have been widened. During the 20th century, responses to disasters were average. With the beginning of the Cold War in 1950’s, civil defense programs were established in preparation for any emergencies and specifically nuclear attacks. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, big disasters made the nation to consolidate their emergency response functions, leading to the formation of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), with the aim of developing a single entity that would work with both the national and state governments to act in response to tragedies ( Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2013).
Unfortunately, FEMA concentrated their preparation mostly on nuclear attacks. Therefore, they were not prepared for other forms of tragedies. A series of disasters that occurred in the 1980’s and early 1990s led to the reorganization of the functions of the agency to focus on all forms of emergencies ( Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2013). The body formed several alliances with state and private organizations and other emergency management establishments. Following the enhancement of their emergency response capabilities, FEMA created a Mitigation Directorate with the aim of aligning their efforts on both national and community initiatives to respond to any emergencies.
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The September 11 attack prompted several changes in disaster response and management in the US. The attacks and the ensuing Anthrax alarm in Washington in 2001 led to the reexamination of country’s emergency response system, its functions, priorities, practices and funding. Before September, 11, the primary focus was on the domestic preparedness for response to acts of terrorism ( Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2013). Several agencies came together to chat the way forward. Together they came up with five broad categories that included preparation for terrorist acts, funding, development of responder practices and procedures. It also included the formation of the department of homeland security and to focus more on the war on terrorism.
The primary focus was the action taken by first responders such as the police, fire brigades, and medical experts. The need to change the core response practices and procedures were emphasized. It was established that there was the need to minimize the toll taken on primary responders and implementation to be done on the local level ( George, 2013). In addition, five major groups were identified to engage entirely in the war on terrorism: the intelligence community, military, the diplomats and emergency teams. Their primary goal was to reduce or eliminate the possibility of any future occurrence of terrorist acts on citizens of America both in the country and abroad.
The aim of the emergency teams is to minimize the potential effects in terms of loss of life, damage to properties, economic disturbance as a result of the terrorist attacks, being prepared in the event of the next attack, and to react swiftly and efficiently in case of another attack occurs ( Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2013). Therefore, the preparedness is an act that ensures that the nation responds effectively when the next attack happens and not if the assault occurs. The emergency teams should apply the same attentiveness in readiness for any occurrence, whether the chemical attack, bombing, floods, or others acts which call for emergency response. The change should occur at all levels of emergency management systems: both at the federal, state or local governments.
The fight against terrorism has led to improvement of funding and allocation of more resources to the emergency response team. The call for the award of enough funds has made the federal government provide first reaction equipment and education, planning, and drills towards the development of new skills and technologies. The increase in funding has also enabled FEMA to allocate more funds to local and state emergency organizations, hence improving response preparedness at all levels of the government.
Over the years, FEMA has reimbursed millions to state and local emergency agencies. In addition, a funding bill was passed by the Congress following the attack on September 11. Furthermore, the department of health and human services provided more money to boost planning for unforeseen events, assessment of technical know-how, and development of terror equipment and to facilitate training programs. The change in funding is the best step towards fighting terror and other emergencies and ensures uniform preparedness.
The formation of the Department of Homeland Security is a pointer of the intent to fight and eliminate and to better prepare for any eventuality. In addition, the consolidation of emergency agencies assist to make coordination easier; moreover, it ensures uniformity and equal distribution of resources hence ensuring better preparedness for emergency cases.
There are several attributes for an emergency response program. A successful emergency management system should focus on the desires of the client i.e. the individual, business or the public. Furthermore, customers include leaders, volunteers, and non-governmental agencies. It also includes the employees of the emergency organization. Another key attribute for emergency programs is the existence of statutory body, which establishes the agencies’ primary easing and awareness programs and their eligibility necessities ( George, 2013). The authority also develops proper budget appropriations and presents to the government for funding. It then undertakes distribution to other emergency agencies across the country and ensures that the programs are run professionally and successfully.
Another attribute for a successful emergency program is leadership. Strong leadership understands the ideas and tasks of the organization, trains their staff and represents the organization at the public forums ( Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2013). In addition, emergency managing systems involve collaborations with various partners such as federal and local government and nongovernmental agencies. It also includes the business community and the media, who promote disaster preparedness and response operations. Moreover, the public has also been involved more through community response teams who plan intervention and mitigation programs. It is, however, important to have proper and well laid out coordination for the agencies to work efficiently. The leaders provide a link between the organizations and the government, a move which has consolidated reporting, therefore, enhancing proper response mechanisms.
Communication is also an important attribute for disaster response systems. Accurate communication is key to partners, the public and to those who make decisions. It is more important in intervention and recovery scenarios. Successful communication requires the establishment of clear lines and the inclusion of all partners. Besides, it also includes the provision of proper tools and conducting necessary training to its staff ( George, 2013). Good communication also involves the collection, examination, and distribution of correct information promptly. The desire to become better prepared enables the state, and other leading authorities to develop clear channels of communication between various emergency agencies. Such measures ensure that the agencies have up to date information so as to make an informed decision.
Training of staff on different technologies and tools has also been enhanced so that they can do their jobs successfully. The move also ensures that all employees have appropriate skills and improve their ability to accomplish the mission of the organization ( Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2013). Given that terrorists are also seeking for new ways to perpetrate their activities, it is important that proper training is done to responders so that they can adequately protect the lives and enhance public safety. Well trained staff also has the correct tools to use to do their jobs efficiently. For example, recent technological developments assisted in tracking hurricanes and improved evacuations measures. Therefore, various emergencies have aided in the positive development of response systems in the US.
References
George, H., Bullock, J., & Coppola, P. (2013). Introduction to Emergency Management, 5th Edition. Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann, 09/2013. VitalBook file.
Haddow, G., Bullock, J., & Coppola, D. P. (2013). Introduction to emergency management. Butterworth- Heinemann.
