What might it tell you based on where it is and the staffing level and resources allocated to the emergency
management function? Next, where does an emergency operations center (EOC) and Fusion Center fit into the
overall process. Finally, apply at least 1 biblical passage to the concept or practice of emergency management.
Explain why you picked the passage and what it means to you.
Disasters are unavoidable whether it be a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Today we
have the technology and intelligence to detect suspicious terrorist activities and when a
hurricane, earthquake, or other natural disasters my hit. Emergency Management oversees the
preparedness, response, and recovery stages of a disaster. Within preparedness and response are
NIMS, NFR and ICS. These three sectors help manage and give direction when a disaster occurs.
The recovery phase is after the disaster and is based on how our community or country
overcomes a disaster The first question to this discussion is a very tough one, all phases in my
opinion are equally important. Being the case with having to choose one being more important
than the others I would choose mitigation to be the most important phase of emergency
management. Mitigation is defined as “sustained action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk
to people and property from natural hazards and their effects” (Cheltenham Township, 2019).
Mitigation efforts attempt to prevent hazards from developing into disasters altogether or to
reduce the effects of disasters. The mitigation phase of emergency management differs from the
other phases in that it focuses on long-term measures for reducing or eliminating risk
(Cheltenham Township, 2019). Mitigation is important because implementing sufficiently it can
reduce the number of victims when a disaster hits and can help with recovery. Ways in which
mitigation is executed is preparing shelters and evacuation plans, such as fire drills and active
shooter exercises. Ensuring that there is always enough inventory of maintain disaster supplies
and equipment. Having an assessment of the risks and threats in the community so that a
preparedness plan can be made. Developing, adopting and enforcing building codes and
standards. Using fire-retardant materials in new construction. Developing and implementing a
plan in your business or community to reduce your susceptibility to hazards (Cheltenham
Township, 2019).
Pin pointing exactly where emergency management should be located within local
government reflects the staffing level and resources that go towards the mission. I believe that
the emergency manager and her/his staff should be housed directly under the chief elected
official. This is beneficial to emergency management because it creates a positive relationship
between emergency management and the authority of the local government which can create
dedicated support for the mission of all four phases of emergency management. Another good
placement of the emergency manger and her/his staff can be with the National Guard. Being
aligned with the National Guard can be beneficial with the possibilities of having faster access to
specialized resources and protection against budget cuts. These are not guaranteed but being part
of a larger organization gives higher chances of these possibilities.
Fusion centers and emergency operation centers have supportive roles pertaining
to emergency management and the United States homeland security efforts. According to
the Department of Homeland Security “fusion centers empower homeland security
partners through the lawful gathering, analysis and sharing of threat-related information”
(Homeland Security, 2020). Emergency operation centers provide an optimal role to
incident management and response/recovery missions by supplying information and
support (Homeland Security, 2020).
In the book of Genesis God gave Noah instructions on how to prepare for the disaster He
was about to cause. Genesis 6:21 God says to Noah “As for you, take for yourself some of all
food which is edible, and gather it to yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for them.” God
told Noah to prep and be prepared for the disaster of a flood that was about to happen. Noah did
as God said and built the boat and filled it with a male and female of every animal. Genesis 7:2-
4, “Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every
kind of unclean animal, a male and its mate, and also seven of every kind of bird, male and
female, to keep their various kinds alive throughout the earth. Seven days from now I will send
rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every
living creature I have made.” Noah did what the Lord had told him to do. I picked this passage
because it provides examples of all four phases of emergency management. Not only was Noah
prepared for the flood he was prepared for the recovery, filling it with animals to repopulate.
Although we aren’t getting warned like Noah for a disaster, but we do have technology and
intelligence that can warn us for when a disaster will strike. Another lesson we can learn from the
Bible is that God will never give us more than we can handle. 1 Corinthian's 10:13, “No
temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not
allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the
way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
References:
Cheltenham Township. (2019). 4 Phases of Emergency Management. Retrieved April 01, 2020,
from https://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/pview.aspx?id=4161
Homeland Security. (2020). Fusion Centers and Emergency Operation Centers. Retrieved from
https://www.dhs.gov/fusion-centers-and-emergency-operations-centers
The Holy Bible
Kylie,
Really great job on your post, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on emergency management. I
agree with you in that each phase of emergency management are all equally important. The
recovery phase is getting the community back to normal. In order for a community or Country to
recover means that it goes back to it prior state. November 23, 1988 the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act was signed. This act allowed for assistance for
state and local governments when overwhelmed with a disaster. There are other smaller
assistance programs for people and business to be able to come back from a disaster
(Cheltenham Township, 2019). The most important part of the recovery phase in my opinion is
the coming together as a community. Take 9/11 for an example, the country mourned and came
together, demonstrating extreme patriotism. Just to name a few ways the citizen of the United
States came together are: nearby cities and town sent first responders, such as EMTs and
firefighters, to help with recovery efforts in New York City at Ground Zero. Military efforts also
contributed with recovery operations. Many people, other than first responders, signed up to
volunteer to be part of recovery efforts in any way possible. These contributions included blood
donations at the Red Cross offices and other blood banks all around the country (History, 2019).
I think having the emergency manger house in his/her own stand-alone agency is a great
location. The only thing that turned me off of the idea was that I had read that it could be harder
to get the appropriate funding that is needed. Funding and resources are everything, without it
you are facing a losing battle. I had read that being part of a larger organization such as the
National Guard could add protection against budget cuts. These are not guarantees though just
possibilities to think about.
Resources:
