Emergency Planning, Essay Example

Internal memorandum

As the Head of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) I have identified the following urgent information that is required in order to invoke our first response action plan.

Location :  The precise location of the disaster event via global positioning satellite communication co-ordinates.  The precise address including all contact communication information available at the site.

Nature of Emergency:  The precise nature of the disaster or emergency classification e.g. Fire, Flood, Earthquake, Land Slide, Avalanche etc.  The number of people in the immediate vicinity impacted by the disaster. Number of known casualties to date ?  Estimated number of possible casualties?  Wider impact considerations ?

Emergency Services:  Location of nearest Emergency Services from the disaster site, particular reference to Ambulance, Paramedics, Fire Services and Police.  The numbers that can be deployed from each ?  The number of patient beds at the nearest hospital?  Distance in kilometres to each service together with emergency contact numbers and key contact personnel.

Military Contact:  We may need support from the National Guard or armed services depending upon the extent of the emergency.  We need contact information for a Senior Officer and a 24/7 hotline response number. Details of the nearest military base to the disaster zone.

Government Contacts :  Key government contact numbers including that of the State Police, State Governors Office.

Media Coverage : Preparation of press briefings for media coverage in consultation with the State Government office co-ordinator.

Material Resources :  Early assessment of the material resources that will be required in order to bring initial aid to the disaster site. In the first instance this will be establishing a base of headquarters, provision of adequate communications, emergency medical supplies, drinking water, and location of suitable site for a helicopter pad to airlift in supplies, provision of temporary shelter ( tents blankets etc.).

Communications Planning:  Access to the disaster site covering all modes of transportation – Road, Rail, Air and Sea.  Provision of maps illustrating relief roads and main access roads that have not been impacted by the disaster. “The mandate of the Emergency Response Team is to assist in the successful resolution of dangerous situations, thereby enhancing public safety and security.” (RCMP, 2010)

Informed estimates

At this point if we are lacking information we need to make informed and best estimates of the situation.  We first need to access the immediate and direct damage of the disaster.  This will mean taking early data from a number of sources. Visual estimates from those on the ground at the epicentre of the disaster and the collation of early reports.  Gaining aerial observations from satellite and helicopter fly over pictures.  We will need a quick predetermination on the number of people impacted by the disaster and the surrounding support infrastructure. For example, housing, sewage, water facilities.  We will then need to examine the indirect damage and this will be important to determine the amount of resources and relief that we will need to bring to the earliest part of this disaster response.  The most important aspect here is an estimate of how the communications and flow of goods and services has been impacted to the disaster zone. How many roads are out ?  Is the nearest airport still functional?  Is the nearest seaport still open?  Identify areas that might be used as helipad and temporary airstrips.  Identify secure zones where relief aid can be dropped in by parachute. Finally we need to look at the Secondary effects. In this case the outer shell or peripheral damage and those potentially in danger from the impacts of the initial disaster.  Early observation estimates are accepted but this might be supported with intelligent research and suitable internet sites might be appropriate here.  For example getting population statistics, infrastructure details, communications data, maps, contact details, etc.  Initially time is of the essence so the importance at this point is getting best estimates of all the information that is available.

One of the most important aspects for the initial response team is communications.  It is useful to determine if Cell phone coverage is still available in the area.  This is the quickest and cheapest form of communication for the response team. If this is down we need to examine additional communication options. “Our members are often the first relief workers on the scene – organizing the basic help people need so urgently when they’re forced to flee their homes.” (UNHCR Canada, 2010)

It is important to stress that informed estimates are not guesswork. They are assessments based upon the best information known at that time “Informed estimates by knowledgeable local leaders – supervisors, highway/public works, engineers, fire officers, and the Red Cross  – typically provide reliable assessments useful to emergency operations.” (David A Patterson, 2010).

Works Cited

David A Patterson, A. F. (2010). NYS Office of Emergency Management. Retrieved 9 10, 2010, from NYS : http://www.semo.state.ny.us/programs/recovery/ASSSOG.cfm

RCMP. (2010). Emergency Response Team. Retrieved 9 10, 2010, from RCMP: http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ert-gti/index-eng.htm

UNHCR Canada. (2010). Emergency Response Team. Retrieved 9 10, 2010, from UNHCR Canada: http://www.unhcr.ca/ert/default.htm