HLSC Discussion 8
The phases of disaster management are mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Mitigation is a term that refers to “a set of strategies to reduce future risks” (Phillips et al., 2016,
p. 117). Mitigation involves training and taking the necessary steps to address known hazards.
There can be both structural and non-structural mitigation measures to implement lessons learned
from previous disasters.
Preparedness refers to a range of activities done in advance of a disaster (Phillips et al.,
2016). The intended purpose of preparedness activities is to help communities, organizations and
individuals improve their overall response capabilities. Citizens should understand and assess the
potential hazards they face and be aware of the types of problems that will likely occur when a
disaster strikes.
The response phase is defined as activities “designed to provide emergency assistance for
casualties, seek to reduce the probability of secondary damage, and to speed recovery
operations” (National Governors’ Report 1979, p. 13). Response takes place both during and
after a disaster has impacted the community. First responders performing rescues and pulling
people from destroyed building is just part of response. Beyond search and rescue, there are
EOCs tasked with coordinating response activities that are equally important.
Recovery many traditional meanings but the overall concept revolves around the process
of returning people to their pre-disaster normal life as closely as possible. According to Phillips
(2016) this means helping people who were displaced, back into permanent housing, work and
reestablishing their routines. Recovery also involves the many facets of rebuilding efforts to
structures, roads and public infrastructure to get the community back up and running.
While I cannot understate the importance of preparedness and mitigation, I would have to
say recovery is most important. When you examine the recent history of disasters, recovery can
make all the difference in the resiliency of the community affected. There are many natural
disasters and threats that will always be present, but recovery using well designed a forward-
thinking strategies are critical. You can make all the best mitigation and preparedness plans but if
the community recover efforts are lacking it is likely the next disaster will be worse.
The use of public-private partnerships provides a synergy of resources to improve the
overall efficiency of disaster recovery efforts. As discussed in our textbook “private companies
own and operate much of the critical infrastructure including electricity, telecommunications,
and transportation” Phillips et al. 2016, p. 132). When costly disasters strike, having close
financial collaboration between the private and public sector has proven to be effective at getting
recovery improvement projects completed faster. Public-private partnerships (PPP) are utilized
as a means of delivering government infrastructure and services by way of private companies
(Auzzir, Haigh, & Amaratunga, 2014). Often there is much greater efficiency gained through
PPPs not to mention an increase quality.
Churches and other faith-based places of worship offer many services to assist
communities in need. Volunteers who understand they have a role to play in helping others
recover should not be underestimated. In the face of social reality and disaster, religion and
religious values remain relevant during large scale relief and assistance efforts (Baidhawy, 2015).
Religious groups can perform practical tasks during disaster such as helping people find shelter,
food, water, and other resources.
Disaster response and recovery have to account for those in the community with special
needs. The special needs population are the most vulnerable of our citizens often with mobility
and health issues. Hurricane and flooding disasters where evacuation is essential put them in a
much higher risk category than others. This population of citizens who are no longer able to help
themselves, play a big role in disaster response and recovery efforts. Ideally, they should be
considered as first priorities in advance of a disaster and preemptively relocated if possible.
As I reflect on the wide variety of subjects related to Homeland Security, I have come to
realize how colossal a challenge disaster management really is! Many different agencies and
organizations share the responsibility of ensuring past mistakes are not repeated. I have a greater
appreciation for the coordination of efforts that must take place to ensure the best result. Having
some personal insight into the problems that come from a lack of interagency coordination, this
course reaffirms the need for continued improvement. I think the overarching theme of looking at
disaster management from an all-hazards approach was the most important take away from this
course for me. In the end, we are all blessed with gifts and talents to help our fellow man and
protect lives.
Throughout the Bible, there is a fundamental command to serve and help others. "And let
us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (King James
Bible, 1769/2017, Galatians 6:9). By applying the phases of emergency management discussed in
this course, we can fulfill this Biblical command.
References
Auzzir, Z. A., Haigh, R. P., & Amaratunga, D. (2014). Public-private partnerships (PPP) in
disaster management in developing countries: a conceptual
framework. Procedia economics and finance, 18, 807-814. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2212-
5671(14)01006-5
Baidhawy, Z. (2015). The role of faith-based organization in coping with disaster management
and mitigation. Journal of Indonesian Islam, 9(2), 167-194.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769)
National Governors' Association. Center for Policy Research, & United States. Defense Civil
Preparedness Agency. (1979). Comprehensive emergency
management: A governor's guide. [Department of Defense], Defense Civil Preparedness
Agency.
Phillips, B. D., Neal, D. M., & Webb, G. R. (2016). Introduction to Emergency Management
(2nd Edition). Taylor & Francis.
