COLLAPSE
The concept of, “All-Hazard Management,” which assumes the following:
"A common sets of emergency preparedness and response procedures and
practices are applicable in any locality and that an economy of scale is
achieved by planning and preparing for disaster in generic terms rather than
for each unique type (Sylves, 2020, pg. 415)."
The idea behind All-Hazard Management was manage large-scale
emergencies at local, state, and federal levels of government as opposed to
handling the crisis alone in a compartmentalized fashion for a specific event:
natural disaster, terrorist attacks, or any man-made crisis events (Martin,
Jenkins, Mehring, & Ma, 2011, pg. 1). The grouping of all resources
capabilities into a lump response under a single model will provide a more
timely, “boots on ground,” response and better utilization of resources in a
systematic approach to handling the crisis event (Martin, Jenkins, Mehring, &
Ma, 2011, pg. 2).
All-Hazard Management has a few points. FEMA developed the Federal
Preparedness Circular (FPC) as a guidance protocol to government agencies
to develop and implement any contingency plans so that they can continue
to perform their functions during a crisis event or disaster (IRS Emergency
Planning, 2007, pg. 1). The IRS, in response to the 2006 flood, reviewed
their COOP (Continuity of Operations) plan that was developed through All-
Hazard Management to determine the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of
their Incident Management Plan (IRS Emergency Planning, 2007, pg. 3). The
approach for the IRS was addressing essential functions, and in the event of
a crisis, how to maintain those essential functions. Further, this laid the
groundwork for training, testing, and exercises (IRS Emergency Planning,
2007, pg. 3). For disaster management preparation, All-Hazard Management
has the benefit of not being focused on one specific type of incident, but it
plans for any type of scenario and disaster that may take place. The
generalization of AHM allows for an easier to comprehend model that is
flexible in implementation and any agency/organization can tailor the
immediate needs once resources are accounted for.
Luke 12:42 reads, “The Lord replied, “Who then is the faithful and wise
manager, whom the master puts in charge of his household servants, to give
them their allowance of food at the proper time?” This reminds us to be a
wise manager of the sometimes meager resources at our disposal. Local,
state, and federal agencies are all pulling for the same resources. It is up to
us to successfully and appropriately manage what resources we have to
better mitigate and manage disasters when they strike.
References:
IRS Emergency Planning (2007). Https://www.gao.gov/assets/260/259445.pdf.
(2007). Report to the Chairman, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate, 1-26.
Martin, M. L., Jenkins, H. A., Mehring, B. B., & Ma, A. C. (2011). All-Hazards, All
Communities: An Approach to Disaster Preparedness and Policy. Journal of
Race & Policy, 7(1), 26–41.
Sylves, R. T. (2020). Disaster policy and politics: Emergency management
and homeland security. Los Angeles: Sage.
