Preparing Responders to Respond, Essay Example

As Carafano has pointed out, the needs of the responders of the private sector don’t receive any attention. The private sector is surely the first line of defense against the next natural or man-made disaster. When planning by the government or national groups for response, has not accounted adequately for the role of the private sector in recovery or response. The role of the private sector in disaster response and planning is fundamental because an overwhelming majority of the local, state, and national critical key resources and infrastructure operates within this realm. At first, it seemed that Washington bureaucracy had left the men on the street alone, especially during 9/11 when over 10,000 people were needed on the grounds. Their importance in training and preparation impacts the way in which the private and the public sector is recovered.

Taking for instance the events that unfolded in New Orleans, millions of people were in the path of Hurricane Katrina. The infrastructure was inadequately designed and maintained. “For years, at least since 9/11, but even before that we have known that we had systems of preparation and response that would prove inadequate against truly large scale disasters.” (Leonard, Howitt 2006) Hurricane Katrina was a wake up called to an extensive list of bad management, and lack of preparation. It was a blaring warning to the shortfalls of the local, state, and national government in their response to national disasters. Leonard and Hewitt (2006) point out several fallacies that led to the thousands of people, and billions of dollars that were loss due to the ineptness of the response. It seemed when Hurricane Sandy hit the response was better, however, still not where it was supposed to be. The agencies rushed in to protect the citizens, even when the infrastructures in the hurricane path were destroyed. Unlike in Hurricane Katrina, during Hurricane Sandy more agencies worked together on a state and local scale in order to organize response and recovery units to get the citizens to safety, and have first responders on the ground. FEMA, also learned their lesson from the disastrous events, they have dedicated their time now to implementing and creating emergency response plans for the private and the public sector.

Yes, many lessons were learned from 9/11. As Mayer (2003) and Waugh (2003) points out the DHS has created a better planning system in order to respond to disasters. The DHS is aware that first responders are a necessary in ties of disasters, and they have implemented a better coordination system with other governmental agencies in order to response better. As Carofano states, “One significant requirement, for example, is quickly emplacing an incident response structure that can detect and assess threats and mobilize appropriate resources.” (Carafano, 2006) Systems approach is the best technique in responding to disasters, it places a point of contact with other networks, have early warnings, and enhanced situational awareness that helps manage and coordinate multiple agencies working together to effectively response.

This lessons learned have helped better prepare states, even in the natural disastes. Much like the Red Card System and other plans, emergency first responders must be properly trained and prepared, while they are usually law enforcements, EMTs, and other specialized agencies, others that respond also need a system to follow that helps them be aware of the dire situation. The Red Card system is the most palpable because it requires the individuals to be properly trained, and emphasize interplay in experience, simulation, and training in being a key role in the response team. Government agencies have to pay special attention to responders to ensure they have the most qualifications, expertise, and experience in becoming a leader, in order to mitigate through the challenges that the disaster will create. If the person is not equipped with these components then they should not be placed in the leadership role.

References

Carafano, J. J. (2003). Preparing responders to respond: The challenges to emergency preparedness in the 21st century: The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved from   http://www.heritage.org/Research/HomelandDefense/HL812.cfm

Leonard, H. B., & Howitt, A. M. (2006). Katrina as prelude: Preparing for and responding to future Katrina-class disturbances in the United States. Testimony before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (March 8, 2006)

Mayer, H. (2003). Strengthening our homeland security: A collaborative planning approach to readiness enhancement. Journal of City and State Public Affairs, (Winter 2003), 9-16.

Waugh, W. L. (2004). Terrorism, homeland security and the national emergency management network. Public Organization Review, 3(4), 373-385.