Quandary 1:
Local governments form the foundation of the United States’ disaster mitigation and
emergency response paradigm. This is to say that, while state and federal governments provide
guidelines and occasional support for mitigation projects, towns and cities are ultimately
responsible for both the long-term planning and first response in the event of a disaster. Local
governments are arguably the most important factor in the success or failure of disaster
mitigation in the United States (FEMA 2011).
Preparation is important to reduce the vulnerability of in the face of disasters, to lessen
the magnitude of the impact of disasters and to encourage resiliency after disasters to continue
positive development efforts. Disaster phases are defined in terms of hazard mitigation, disaster
preparedness. Mitigation is frequently implemented during the disaster recovery period. The
agency can engage in three types of emergency management interventions to alleviate the
disaster impacts. Physical impacts can be reduced by hazard mitigation practices and emergency
preparedness practices, whereas social impacts can be reduced by recovery preparedness
practices [Chi14].
TOP THREE HAZARDS IN TEXAS
Structural and Non-Structural Strategies
TORNADO HURRICANE FLOOD
Structural Structural Structural
Storm Shelter Evacuation routes permanent Dams, levees and floodwalls
Home Reinforcement Warning systems towers Channels
Re-Designing Buildings Ocean Wave Barriers Seepage control
Non-Structural Non-Structural Non-Structural
Research/Assessment Insurance Risk mapping
Public Awareness Campaigns for awareness Land use planning and zoning
Go Bags Building Codes Flood insurance
Hazard mitigation can be defined as pre-impact actions that protect passively against
casualties and damage at the time of hazard impact. There are many different types of hazard
mitigation actions that can be implemented. Effectively having a re-enforced structure in place
where the business is located will ensure the safety of the workers [Mic13]. Access the area
surrounding the location of where the agency has its building for any variables to be aware of for
risks.
Emergency preparedness must take persistence, patience, and dedication within the
agency to form a good coalition [Chi14]. “Refection, learning and action which enable the
agency to be active in building our own disaster risk resilience: this involves 2 stages: a survey
and consultation stage, and the action and learning stage that built on ground level information
gathered and then supported its practical implementation at the agency level” (Lindell, 2013, p.
823). The agency needs to “assign communication responsibilities and appoint a public
spokesperson, a vendor contact, and an employee responsible for contacting the insurance
company” [Joh16] in the event that an emergency should occur.
In Ezekiel 38:7, “Be thou prepared, and prepare for thyself, thou, and all thy company that are
assembled unto thee, and be thou a guard unto them” (Bible).
Quandary 2:
Climate change poses threats that are largely uncertain, diffuse, difficult to quantify and
yet potentially catastrophic. Arctic sea ice is only half as thick now as it was 30 years ago. Alpine
glaciers everywhere are retreating rapidly. Droughts are becoming more frequent and
widespread. The analysis of environmental security discourses and the securitization of climate
change have shown that transforming an issue like climate change into a security issue is not
about applying a fixed meaning of security and the practices associated with it [Dre18]. Rather, it
is a reflexive and contextualized process that generates meanings and practices.
The emergence of global environmental problems, such as global warming and ozone depletion,
resulted in one of the first attempts to securitize the environment on a global scale.
The environmental security debate has shown two tendencies. On one hand, the influence
of the national security discourse has emphasized the focus on conflicts, transforming the threat
to the environment and to the people that depend on it into a threat to global order and stability.
Other aspects, such as the impact on health and problems related to over-consumption have been
largely ignored in the environmental security discourse. At the same time this discourse has
challenged a set of security practices, which focused on military threats and reactive measures
and outlined how military responses and preparation are inadequate to deal with environmental
issues[Dre18]. And yet it has contributed to shifting the attention to different kinds of
vulnerabilities, suggesting that the instruments to provide stability require effort to promote both
mitigation and adaptation to environmental impact and change, and that the best results are
associated with early intervention and preventive measures.
In Proverbs 16:9 it states, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
[Bib] Every step that is taken the Lord will guide along the way.
References
Bible . (n.d.). King James version .
Chief, V. T., Burton, T. P., Campbell, Phd. , J., & Boatright, Phd., D. T. (2014). The Southwest
Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center and the Oklahoma inter tribal
emergency management coalition: a unique partnership. Journal of public health
management and practice, 107-110.
Lindell, M. K. (2013). Disaster Studies. Current Sociology Review, 797-825.
PEPTAN, D. e. (2018). THE ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY, A NATIONAL SECURITY
DIMENSION. Fiabilitate si Durabilitate - Fiability & Durability, 381-385.
Swanciger, J. (2016). Emergency Preparedness. American Society of Safety Engineers, 34
