Introduction
The nature, numbers and the destructiveness of natural catastrophes are likely to increase in the coming years considering the apparent changes in climate and the ever-increasing population demographics on, around or near natural features such as oceans and mountains. Hurricane Katrina occurred more than a decade ago in the year 2005 and remains among the most significant natural disaster in the USA. The hurricane affected more than 90,000 square miles of land in addition to shattering majority of a large city. In its havoc, the hurricane killed more than 1800 individuals, and thousands remained destitute and deprived of necessities. The entirety of the hurricane involved several issues related to crises from the hurricane itself, to the collapse of the human-made levees intended to protect the city to the weak responses before, during and after the hurricane. It is evident that the misunderstood breakdown of communication between the government and the people before and after Hurricane Katrina is the main reason for the destruction of property and death toll experienced. Research has revealed that many Hurricanes like Katrina will occur in the future. In this research paper, I will discuss Regional Command in regards to communication systems, a joint planning incident, and a span of control. Local, federal and state Regional Commanders have been set to act as a response team that will play a significant role in mitigating risks associated with Hurricane Katrina.
Communication systems integrated will be utilized by the regional command officers to deal with Hurricane Katrina disasters in their region. The disaster response to massive catastrophes often encompasses a variety of agencies including national respondents such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), state agencies, local entities, federal and National Guard Soldiers, non-governmental organizations and individual volunteers in addition to tens of thousands of individuals that require assistance (Tkacz, 2006) . As such, the application of an integrated communication system is imperative. The communication platform will be integrated and useful as it will act as a form of response. The communication platform that the regional command will use is radio calls, telephones, and runners. The application of different communication systems is necessary since it is typical that Hurricane Katrina events will adversely affect communication devices and systems, hence, hindering communications which will subsequently affect the intelligence (Meeds & Roth, 2006) . Indeed, the use of runners will be active in case of an event, such as Hurricane Katrina, and there is an interference with the radio frequencies which will assist in communication between the local, federal, and state Regional Command officers. Moreover, the communication platforms will be made familiar to citizens to enhance efficiency in their use of hurricane events. In many instances of emergency, the civilians, the responders at both local and federal levels are unable to communicate with each other (Meeds & Roth, 2006) . Educating the citizens on communication platforms in the event of emergencies such as hurricanes is a vital regional command strategy.
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There is a necessity of a common planning incident that will act on events of Hurricane Katrina. The development of a joint planning incident will be fundamental in integrating and coordinating the activities of the diverse and numerous responders involved in major disasters such as Hurricane Katrina (Joint Publication 3-28, 2013) . Firstly, the creation of joint action strategy will play a significant role in developing a thriving engine that will serve as a response strategy for Hurricane Katrina events. The response to Hurricane Katrina will encompass an inter-governmental including the national, state and local administrations and cross-sector stakeholders from the public to private to not-for-profit entities hence the necessity of a joint action strategy. Additionally, a common joint approach will provide cooperation throughout the entire chain of command from the first respondents such as the police and firefighters to the local administration such as the mayor to the state officials and eventually the federal government (Meeds & Roth, 2006) . The Regional Command will use their available resources jointly, as it will ensure that the management team coordinates all funds and their effective use by the officers. Undeniably, it will be important to organize not only the objectives but also the available resources. As mentioned, disastrous emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina will involve many different respondents who will provide various resources from foodstuffs to clothing to communication strategies. Considering the diverse needs of the victims depending on the jurisdictions and locations where the disaster hits, it is necessary for the regional command to use the resources jointly to ensure not only maximization but also efficiency. The integration of the funds will also involve the active engagement of the private sector that holds large institutions such as the American Red Cross, one of the fastest and most reliable respondents to disasters in America in the past century (Sylves, 2006) .
Additionally, the state will manage shared resources for the geographical jurisdiction that has been affected by Hurricane Katrina. Indeed, when local assets such as the police officers and the firefighters are overwhelmed, the state will be involved through actively utilizing state resources and asking for assistance from other neighboring states and the federal government if the situation necessitates it. Therefore, the ultimate coordination of resources in the event of Hurricane Katrina is the responsibility of the state.
The unified Regional Command will utilize span of control in its operations. The application of a single reliable body of command is important in creating a broad span of power that will affect similar national interventions which will be important in managing a massive and destructive natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina. The Regional Command features a centralized form of decision making. In this particular regard, the activities undertaken to manage Hurricane Katrina will involve a single chain of command that relays a joint strategic action and coordinates the resources and funds from various responders. Moreover, the characteristic of centralized decision making at the regional command level will reduce the pressures on state officials when Hurricane Katrina occurs (Sylves, 2006) . Moreover, the decision-making system will integrate a training program to the citizens regarding Hurricane Katrina. A unified command will be conscious of the necessary activities necessary to reduce and mitigate the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Research indicates one of the core reasons for the extensive loss of life and property during natural disasters is the lack of knowledge on the disaster among the civilians (Meeds & Roth, 2006) . The training program of the citizens will encompass various aspects including the response system structure and integrations in the communication platforms. A unified command will assist in dealing with multi-states struck by Hurricane Katrina. A common regional authority will extend beyond the boundaries of a single state to encompass an entire region that is vulnerable to Hurricane Katrina. The susceptibility to a natural disaster is not grounded on jurisdictions but the rather geographical location, therefore the unified command that influences multi-states efforts concentrate on geographic area and the resultant benefits rather than emphasizing on state-designated interventions which will hinder active response systems in case of Hurricane Katrina.
Conclusion
Hurricane Katrina has offered the primary test to the United States Regional Command. The hurricane indicates an evident communication failure which subsequently reduced coordination and integration efforts that resulted in inefficient response systems. Regional Command will have to identify and implement strategies that will assist geographical areas that might be affected by Hurricane Katrina. The communication systems, common planning incidents, and a span of control will help mitigate disasters once they strike. Regional Command officers will undergo the required training to counter these regional attacks through the creation of a joint regional command body. A joint regional command entity will allow for centralized decision-making which is fundamental to the integration of communication systems and the development and realization of a unified action plan.
References
Joint Publication 3-28. (2013). Defense support of civil authorities. Joint Publication 3-28.
Meeds, H., & Roth, J. F. (2006). Communication challenge during incidents of national significance: A lesson from Hurricane Katrina. US Army War College Strategy research Projects , 1-26.
Sylves, R. (2006). President Bush and Hurricane Katrina: A Presidential leadership Study. The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science , 26-56.
Tkacz, S. R. (2006). In Katrina's wake: Rethinking the military's role in domestic emergencies. William and Mary Bill of Rights Journal, 15 (1), 301-333.
