Discussion Forum 5 Module 5
“Understanding Response”
Discuss the Principles of Effective Emergency Management Response.
Multiple fundamentals in emergency management make it vital for emergency managers
and essential stakeholders to respond efficiently and effectively to disasters. To begin, Phillips et
al. (2016) emphasize the need for emergency managers to take a comprehensive approach to
emergency management and adopt an all-hazards viewpoint to maximize their ability to respond
effectively to various threats. Agents of disaster provide distinct problems to humanity.
According to Phillips et al. (2016), a common trait of disasters is their propensity to cause
physical damage, substantial injuries and fatalities, and social upheaval in human society. As
McEntire (2019) points out, emergency managers must account for all threats, phases,
stakeholders, and disaster-related repercussions while taking a comprehensive approach to
emergency management.
Next, effective emergency management responses require a unity or integrated effort
amongst all government entities, organizations, and all elements within the community. Apart
from that, Phillips et al. (2016) stress the critical role of emergency managers in coordinating
with all government and non-governmental institutions, internal and external organizations, and
collaborating with officials and non-official groups and agencies participating in response
operations. An emergency operations center [EOC] acts as the focal point for oversight and
management of response efforts, which also involves government and community leaders,
diverse organizations, and other critical stakeholders to coordinate and make decisions
concerning response activities.
Integrating advanced technologies also aids emergency management officials in response
activities. For instance, images from geographic information systems [GIS] and global
positioning systems [GPS] might be used to accurately track emergency service personnel and
map out regions of substantial damage (Phillips et al., 2016).
However, as Phillips et al. (2016) point out, not all jurisdictions have advanced
technological capabilities, resulting in a technological disparity in community preparedness for
disasters. Finally, as McEntire (2019) adds, emergency managers must demonstrate flexibility by
taking a creative and innovative approach to resolving disaster-related difficulties. In terms of
response, emergency managers and other public authorities are sure to encounter unforeseen
challenges and hurdles for which their training did not fully prepare them or account for the
unique effects of disasters (Phillps et al., 2016).
What are the Benefits of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the
Incident Command System (ICS)?
As the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] (2019) notes, the national
response framework [NRF] guides the United States' response to a wide variety of disasters and
emergencies. Additionally, according to FEMA (2017), the national incident management
system [NIMS] guides all aspects of government, non-profits, and the private sector in
collaborating to prevent, protect, respond, and recover from incidents. Nemeth (2017) adds that
the NIMS initiative relies on a collaborative and management framework to identify, respond to,
and reduce risk and harm. Finally, according to McEntire (2019), the incident command
system [ICS] is a collection of persons and processes that aid in the coordination of first
responders.
As described in the FEMA (2020) fact page, NIMS promotes collaboration among government
bodies, organizations, and community stakeholders to plan catastrophes or crises better.
Additionally, as McEntire (2019) points out, the procedures and structures established in NIMS
facilitate communication amongst responding entities.
Moreover, NIMS establishes recommendations for resource management and supports
the use of compatible technology (McEntire, 2019). Additionally, NIMS provides a training,
certification, and credentialing procedure that ensures personnel satisfy defined standards for
critical incident management responsibilities and are competent for job roles (FEMA, 2019).
The ICS encourages consistency in practice, interagency cooperation, and a comprehensible
public information system for all constituents (Nemeth, 2017). Finally, Clark and Rogers (2020)
note that the ICS's Chain of Command and Unity of Command ideas facilitate information
exchange within ranks and establish linkages between leaders and responders.
Are there any things that NIMS does not provide but are still required?
During a disaster, decisions are generally complicated and dynamic, involving many
stakeholders from various agencies with diverse backgrounds and skills (Farcas et al., 2020).
NIMS guides all government, non-government, and organization entities on the mechanisms to
reduce the harmful impacts of emergencies and disasters which causes disruptions in society.
However, what is still required, which NIMS cannot provide through a national document, is
instilling leadership qualities into emergency management officials and other leaders within all
aspects of government and communities. Those officials and stakeholders involved in preparing
and responding to incidents must be able to coordinate, communicate, and solve problems in
difficult times proactively. Concerning following competent leaders, Hebrews 13:7 states,
"Remember those who have authority over you, who have spoken God's message to you, and
who have faith in the conclusion of their discussions" (King James Bible, 1769/2022
References
Clark, M. S., & Rogers, A. N. (2020). Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services Mosquito Control Incident Response Team: An Exercise in Using the National
Incident Management System’s Incident Command System for Disaster Response.
Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 36(2s), 35–40.
https://doi.org/10.2987/19-6886s.1
Farcas, A., Ko, J., Chan, J., Malik, S., Nono, L., & Chiampas, G. (2020). Use of Incident
Command System for Disaster Preparedness: A Model for an Emergency Department
COVID-19 Response. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 15(3), e31–
e36. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2020.210
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2017, October). National Incident Management
System Third Edition. FEMA.Gov. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
07/fema_nims_doctrine-2017.pdf
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2019, October 28). National Response Framework.
FEMA.Gov. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
04/NRF_FINALApproved_2011028.pdf
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2020, December). National Incident Management
System Fact Sheet for Nonprofit Organizations. FEMA.Gov.
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_nims-nonprofit-fact-sheet_12-
2020_0.pdf
King James Bible. (2022). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769)
McEntire, D. A. (2019). Introduction to homeland security: Understanding terrorism prevention
and emergency management (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
Nemeth, C. P. P. (2017). Homeland Security: An Introduction to Principles and Practice, Third
Edition (3rd ed.). CRC Press.
Phillips, B. D., Neal, D. M., & Webb, G. R. (2016). Introduction to Emergency Management
(2nd Edition). Taylor & Francis.
https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781315394688
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
