Disaster Management Cycle. Preparedness.

Disaster Management Cycle. Preparedness.

 
         Let’s get ready for it! We aim to get a satisfactory level of readiness to able us to respond to any emergency that may arise. The preparedness measures can be logistical with rehearsals, public education, developing the long and short term strategies and building warning systems. The second manifestation is in the form of food reserves like for the periodically drought stricken areas of Kenya (I am hoping that the decentralization of some services in Kenya will empower these areas to have reserves of their own.), equipment (Sadly the Kenya fire department has one engine that serves the entire Nairobi with its 4million plus residents), water, medications and other essentials are available and maintained in case of events. The measures include.

courtesy of The Disaster Management blog

• Preparedness plans
• Emergency exercises/training
• Warning systems
• Emergency communications systems
• Evacuations plans and training
• Resource inventories
• Emergency personnel/contact lists
• Mutual aid agreements
• Public information/education

                          The top-bottom rule applies here just like in mitigation. We must include the national and regional development plans. Emergency preparedness demands the government be able to successfully deliver its responsibilities. Those involved in preparedness require a holistic approach, taking into account mitigation, response, recovery and the business side of preparedness. Mitigation and preparedness go hand in hand with mitigation policies reducing vulnerability and bolstering and creating resilience. The preparedness includes for example to ensure there is equipment is in available and maintained to be used in case of an emergency or educating people in slums on how to manage fires since the fire engines are not able to access them. The collective capability of a community to deal with catastrophes when they occur is a measure of their preparedness. In no way am I daring to water down the importance of mitigation but if one is to pick then preparedness would be the better choice with communities being empowered with causes of action to take in case of an emergency. A clear importance is emerging now that the formal authorities must be on the frontline of preparedness. It was for example the Kenya Defense Forces were not ready for a terror hostage event. They clearly would need more training to resolve such events with better skill. The IFRCRCS states that disaster preparedness requires global, national, community and individual inputs. It incorporates efficiency, effectiveness and impact of disaster emergency response mechanisms in the greater community.

Benson Mutahi Githaiga

Disaster Management Enthusiast

References

Emergency Management: the American Experience,1900-2010. ed. Claire B.Rubin  

 http://www.un-spider.org/about-us/news/en/6627/2013-04-25t154700/odi-report-disaster-risk-management-and-development

http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.col.org%2FSiteCollectionDocuments%2FDisaster_Management_version_1.0.pdf&ei=TU0fUu2pCcPD7AaN5YCwBw&usg=AFQjCNFTu0x4d83emTdP7PeqNce5_tocqw&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZGU

http://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&ved=0CFkQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gobookee.net%2Fintroduction-to-disaster-management%2F&ei=TU0fUu2pCcPD7AaN5YCwBw&usg=AFQjCNGfJUQc_bdnzhgRaoFoKkVLME69bw&bvm=bv.51495398,d.ZGU