MSW 521 MODULE 3 APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT

Systems Failure in disaster management

Sound system failures in disaster response, such as the lack of early warning systems, an

issue that will add to the loss of lives and the capacity of people to leave a threatening situation

early. Lack of experience and system failures caused confusion and tragically added to the loss

of life system failure failed two alert people of disasters and imminent threats; this lack of

warning led to people continuing with their daily activities, including going on to work and

regular activities in sports on Saturdays. Lack of capacity in existing government structures in a

major emergency and the need to act quickly to ensure governance structures are adequate to the

task. This calls for the confusion surrounding leadership in post-disaster recovery scenarios and

the complexities associated with implementing established policies in real life in real-time

circumstances. Government authorities in charge of leadership In disasters may be ill-equipped

for the reality of a major disaster becoming more frequent governments are learning from the

UNISDR and the actions of others and are becoming more knowledgeable about the types of

interventions required in their own countries.

Disasters bring layers of government and NGOs together quickly, but the chain of

command is often blurry, and it is difficult to know who is doing what and when. However, they

also know that these lines of authority and responsibility are becoming clearer ass the plans,

strategies, and national responses to the UNISDR are developed. It is important for folks to know

that the scale of disasters may overwhelm existing governance structures. There is a well-defined

neat to be responsive and innovative, and not necessarily to expect detailed communication of

strategies, particularly in the immediate post-disaster.

The research was conducted with critical key informants associated with the emergency

response to the Black Saturday Bush fire five years after the event. Some of the issues

experienced by government employees and community people doing this chaotic period. These

included interdepartmental rivalries, departments protecting their territory, problematic

communication across sectors and across layers of government, and problems with workers

themselves knowing who is doing what and when. Workers report it they had been unclear as to

who was organizing the food and shelter, where the service hubs and temporary housing might

be located, and win services would be wound up. In retrospect, and with the virtue of hindsight,

workers noted that services were stopped too early.

Social workers brought in as part of emergency response teams must be aware of the

initial challenges associated with overwhelmed bureaucracies and know who is leading the

response, both from the government and from an agency perspective and a broader national and

local area perspective. While these are being sorted, the initial few days add to the problems

associated with working across government instrumentalities at local, state, and national levels.

NGOs who have a significant experience in disaster settings from a global perspective may be

more prominent in the initial period of establishing shelter, providing food and psychological

first aid, and being visible. In the Black Saturday example, Hubs were established by the

department of human services in Local communities. On the ground, welfare services and

insurance advice were collectively offered by government and non-government agencies, where

meals were served and information and goods were available.

The issues relating to establishing lines of authority are very confusing for those living in

the affected communities who need critical and immediate action. The initial chaotic period is

challenging at best and potentially life-threatening at worst. Community members tell of being

confused by the layers of infrastructure and feeling overwhelmed by their own experiences and

grief. The inability to access clear and accurate information can lead to stress and evoke anger

(Alston, M.2019).

With this experience of disasters, government structures have responded by implementing

early warning systems across the country, staffed by local volunteers trained to

respond effectively. Government structures and plans must be adequate when a

major disaster strikes.

References

Alston, M., Hazeleger, T., & Hargreaves, D. (2019). Social work and disasters: A handbook for

practice. Routledge.

Petterson, & Ray-Bennett, N. (2018). Avoidable Deaths: A Systems Failure Approach to

Disaster Risk Management Avoidable Deaths: A Systems Failure Approach to Disaster

Risk Management By Nibedita S. Ray-Bennett doi 10.1007/978-3-319-66951-9; ISBN:

978-3-319-66950-2; eISBN 978-3-319-66951-9. Disaster Prevention and

Management, 27(2), 271–274. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPM-04-2018-301