Disaster Planning, Essay Example

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is a government organization responsible for disaster planning nationally. The goal is to plan, prepare and mitigate during and after a disaster. In planning FEMA anticipates outcomes of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, earth quakes along with manmade threats based on past experiences and data. Preparation techniques involve first alerting communities regarding natural disasters which may strike. This is communicated through new cast along with alerts through organizations and public health agencies. Mitigating essentially takes the form of resolving aftermath catastrophes and dilemmas (Bea, 2002).

Precisely, mitigation prior to any disaster requires that the agency identify possible emergencies and hazards afterwards utilizing scientific assessment tools in estimating damages. During this process businesses, which need support and displaced families displaced are offered prompt relief for survival and sustenance through food, shelter, medical supplies/attention where applicable (Murry, 2006).

The level of involvement is governmental. FEMA functions as part of the government disaster planning program. Precisely, it is an arm of the United States Homeland Security venture established through the 1978 number 3 Presidential Reorganization plan. Historically the agency’s concept existed for more than 200 years in context of America’s disaster planning initiative (Bea, 2002).

There are several responsibilities undertaken by this agency. These are executed through collaborated efforts through decentralized teams, which are trained in the expertise for function as National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) technicians, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) clinicians, Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team (DMORT) specialists, Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) clinicians , and Mobile Emergency Resource Support (MERS) interventionists (Falkenrath, 2001).

FEMA is funded through Public-Private partnerships. Subsequently, a National Donations Management Program was designed offering opportunities for corporations and business that are willing to contribute to the fund for tax exemption purposes to do so.

Works cited

Bea, Keith. Proposed Transfer of FEMA to the Department of Homeland Security. Order Code RL31510. Report for Congress, Congressional Research Service: Library of Congress.2002. Print

Falkenrath, Richard. Problems of Preparedness: U.S. Readiness for a Domestic Terrorist Attack. International Security, Boston. 2001. Print

Murry, Justin. Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation for Disaster Assistance: Summary Data FY1989 to FY2006. CRS Report for Congress, Congressional Research Service: The Library of Congress. 2006. Print