Disaster management

Emergency management (or disaster management) is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a discipline that involves preparing for disaster before it occurs, disaster response (e.g. emergency evacuation, quarantine, mass decontamination, etc.), as well as supporting, and rebuilding society after natural or human-made disasters have occurred. In general, any Emergency management is the continuous process by which all individuals, groups, and communities manage hazards in an effort to avoid or ameliorate the impact of disasters resulting from the hazards. Actions taken depend in part on perceptions of risk of those exposed.[2] Effective emergency management relies on thorough integration of emergency plans at all levels of government and non-government involvement. Activities at each level (individual, group, community) affect the other levels. It is common to place the responsibility for governmental emergency management with the institutions for civil defense or within the conventional structure of the emergency services. In the private sector, emergency management is sometimes referred to as business continuity planning.

Emergency Management is one of a number of terms which, since the end of the Cold War, have largely replaced Civil defense, whose original focus was protecting civilians from military attack. Modern thinking focuses on a more general intent to protect the civilian population in times of peace as well as in times of war. Another current term, Civil Protection is widely used within the European Union and refers to government-approved systems and resources whose task is to protect the civilian population, primarily in the event of natural and human-made disasters. Within EU countries the term Crisis Management emphasises the political and security dimension rather than measures to satisfy the immediate needs of the civilian population.[citation needed] An academic trend is towards using the term disaster risk reduction, particularly for emergency management in a development management context. This focuses on the mitigation and preparedness aspects of the emergency cycle (see below).
The nature of management depends on local economic and social conditions. Some disaster relief experts such as Fred Cuny have noted that in a sense the only real disasters are economic. Experts, such as Cuny, have long noted that the cycle of emergency management must include long-term work on infrastructure, public awareness, and even human justice issues. This is not important in developing nations. The process of emergency management involves four phases: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.


A graphic representation of the four phases in emergency management.
] Mitigation
Mitigation efforts attempt to prevent hazards from developing into disasters altogether, or to reduce the effects of disasters when they occur. The mitigation phase differs from the other phases because it focuses on long-term measures for reducing or eliminating risk.] The implementation of mitigation strategies can be considered a part of the recovery process if applied after a disaster occurs] Mitigative measures can be structural or non-structural. Structural measures use technological solutions, like flood levees. Non-structural measures include legislation, land-use planning (e.g. the designation of nonessential land like parks to be used as flood zones), and insurance. Mitigation is the most cost-efficient method for reducing the impact of hazards, however it is not always suitable. Mitigation does include providing regulations regarding evacuation, sanctions against those who refuse to obey the regulations (such as mandatory evacuations), and communication of potential risks to the public.] Some structural mitigation measures may have adverse effects on the ecosystem.
A precursor activity to the mitigation is the identification of risks. Physical risk assessment refers to the process of identifying and evaluating hazards.The hazard-specific risk (Rh) combines both the probability and the level of impact of a specific hazard. The equation below gives that the hazard times the populations’ vulnerability to that hazard produce a risk. Catastrophe modeling The higher the risk, the more urgent that the hazard specific vulnerabilities are targeted by mitigation and preparedness efforts. However, if there is no vulnerability there will be no risk, e.g. an earthquake occurring in a desert where nobody lives.
Preparedness
In the preparedness phase, emergency managers develop plans of action for when the disaster strikes. Common preparedness measures include:
communication plans with easily understandable terminology and methods.
proper maintenance and training of emergency services, including mass human resources such as community emergency response teams.
development and exercise of emergency population warning methods combined with emergency shelters and evacuation plans.
stockpiling, inventory, and maintain disaster supplies and equipment[5]
develop organizations of trained volunteers among civilian populations. (Professional emergency workers are rapidly overwhelmed in mass emergencies so trained, organized, responsible volunteers are extremely valuable. Organizations like Community Emergency Response Teams and the Red Cross are ready sources of trained volunteers. Its emergency management system has gotten high ratings from both California, and FEMA.)
Another aspect of preparedness is casualty prediction, the study of how many deaths or injuries to expect for a given kind of event. This gives planners an idea of what resources need to be in place to respond to a particular kind of event.
Emergency Managers in the planning phase should be flexible, and all encompassing - carefully recognizing the risks and exposures of their respective regions and employing unconventional, and atypical means of support. Depending on the region - municipal, or private sector emergency services can rapidly be depleted and heavily taxed. Non-governmental oganizations that offer desired resources i.e. transportation of displaced homeowners to be conducted by local school district buses, evacuation of flood victims to be performed by mutual aide agreements between fire departments and rescue squads, should be identified early in planning stages, and practiced with regularity.
Response


Brazilian Defesa Civil unit responding to an emergency São Paulo.
The response phase includes the mobilization of the necessary emergency services and first responders in the disaster area. This is likely to include a first wave of core emergency services, such as firefighters, police and ambulance crews. When conducted as a military operation, it is termed Disaster Relief Operation (DRO) and can be a follow-up to a Non-combatant evacuation operation (NEO). They may be supported by a number of secondary emergency services, such as specialist rescue teams.
A well rehearsed emergency plan developed as part of the preparedness phase enables efficient coordination of rescue Where required, search and rescue efforts commence at an early stage. Depending on injuries sustained by the victim, outside temperature, and victim access to air and water, the vast majority of those affected by a disaster will die within 72 hours after impact.[6]
Organizational response to any significant disaster - natural or terrorist-borne - is based on existing emergency management organizational systems and processes: the Federal Response Plan (FRP) and the Incident Command System (ICS). These systems are solidified through the principles of Unified Command (UC) and Mutual Aid (MA)
Recovery
The aim of the recovery phase is to restore the affected area to its previous state. It differs from the response phase in its focus; recovery efforts are concerned with issues and decisions that must be made after immediate needs are addressed.[1] Recovery efforts are primarily concerned with actions that involve rebuilding destroyed property, re-employment, and the repair of other essential infrastructure.[1] An important aspect of effective recovery efforts is taking advantage of a ‘window of opportunity’[7] for the implementation of mitigative measures that might otherwise be unpopular. Citizens of the affected area are more likely to accept more mitigative changes when a recent disaster is in fresh memory.
In the United States, the National Response Plan dictates how the resources provided by the Homeland Security Act of 2002 will be used in recovery efforts.[1] It is the Federal government that often provides the most technical and financial assistance for recovery efforts in the United States.[
In India, the role of emergency management falls to National Disaster Management of India, a government agency subordinate to the Ministry of Home affairs. In recent years there has been a shift in emphasis, from response and recovery to strategic risk management and reduction, and from a government-centred approach to decentralized community participation.[citation needed] Survey of India, an agency within the Ministry of Science and Technology, is also playing a role in this field, through bringing the academic knowledge and research expertise of earth scientists to the emergency management process.

Recently the Government has formed the Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI). This group represents a public/private partnership, funded primarily by a large India-based computer company "Satyam Computer Services" , and aimed at improving the general response of communities to emergencies, in addition to those incidents which might be described as disasters. Some of the groups' early efforts involve the provision of emergency management training for first responders (a first in India), the creation of a single emergency telephone number, and the establishment of standards for EMS staff, equipment and training. It is hoped that this effort will provide a model for emulation by all of India, however, at the moment, it operates in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Assam, using a single 3-digit toll-free number 1-0-8. .
In India, the role of emergency management falls to National Disaster Management of India, a government agency subordinate to the Ministry of Home affairs. In recent years there has been a shift in emphasis, from response and recovery to strategic risk management and reduction, and from a government-centred approach to decentralized community participation.[citation needed] Survey of India, an agency within the Ministry of Science and Technology, is also playing a role in this field, through bringing the academic knowledge and research expertise of earth scientists to the emergency management process.

Recently the Government has formed the Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI). This group represents a public/private partnership, funded primarily by a large India-based computer company "Satyam Computer Services" , and aimed at improving the general response of communities to emergencies, in addition to those incidents which might be described as disasters. Some of the groups' early efforts involve the provision of emergency management training for first responders (a first in India), the creation of a single emergency telephone number, and the establishment of standards for EMS staff, equipment and training. It is hoped that this effort will provide a model for emulation by all of India, however, at the moment, it operates in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Assam, using a single 3-digit toll-free number 1-0-8. .


The Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) is an integrated Emergency Response Services provider, the first of its kind in India. It launched 1-0-8 services on August 15, 2005 in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh with a fleet of 70 ambulances.

1-0-8 is accessible from fixed and mobile phones without a suffix or a prefix. Apart from handling day to day emergencies, EMRI is also involved in research activities in the areas of medicine (prevention, diagnosis and treatment), crime, traffic disorders and fire. EMRI also provides Emergency Management Training programs for medical professionals, policy makers, public, volunteers and students. Its goal is to be the best in the world in Emergency Response. Throughout the journey, from conception to completion, a set of guiding principles and management concepts have been helpful to focus and deliver a world-class emergency management system that has received praise from international experts.[citation needed]

Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) provides a comprehensive emergency management service in the state of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Goa, Chennai and Rajasthan, Karnataka and Assam and Meghalaya using a single, toll-free number (108). The number 108 is used as the centralized helpline for Medical, Police and Fire emergencies.

At EMRI, world class technology is at work to give the quickest response to any distress call. Supported by the latest technology in distress communication and management, EMRI extends quick and effective relief to any medical, police or fire emergency situation involving individuals.

EMRI has developed processes and state-of-the-art infrastructure and is operating successfully in the states of Andhra Pradesh,Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Goa, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Assam and Meghalaya in India. The Governments of these states are committed to assist EMRI in regulatory aspects, canalizing funds, leveraging infrastructure, promoting public awareness, etc. In turn, EMRI is expected to provide its operational expertise, establish similar systems across the State, train the required manpower, etc. Unlike its counterparts in Emergency Management System (EMS) across India, EMRI focuses not only on the Sense aspect of EMS but also on the Reach and Care aspects, thereby addressing the entire delivery model of emergency response.

The intent to operate all these programs is to focus on providing quality Emergency Response with an emphasis on “The more we care…the more we value…the more we respect human life…the more we will develop as a nation…with humanity, humility and commitment to service”. This initiative contributes towards developing the future with state-of-the-art technology in Emergency Management. Satyam Computers provides all technological support to EMRI. International dignitaries and experts also visit EMRI and train the associates


EMRI began operations on August 15 2005 with a fleet of 70 ambulances deployed over 50 towns in the state of Andhra Pradesh. EMRI’s strategy and thought leadership being provided by the governing body, the organization had a total manpower of 2500 people including EMT’S (emergency Medical Technicians), Support staff, associates, fleet and call centre executives.

EMRI now having completed 3 years in providing reliable emergency response services, attends to an average of 4500 emergency call per day. EMRI-AP operates with a fleet of 652 ambulances covering 23 districts and saving an average of 108 lives in a day. The phenomenal success of EMRI has led to tie ups with 3331 private hospitals throughout the state along with many nations showing interest to launch EMRI services in their respective countries.

The government of Gujarat showing keen interest towards replicating a similar model in Gujarat, EMRI started full fledged operations in Gujarat on August 29 2007 and now has a fleet of 400 ambulances covering a total of 13 districts and 66 towns in the state. EMRI has also launched its operation of 108 services in the state of Uttarakhand with a fleet of 60 ambulances covering a total of 20 districts. EMRI has also created its presence in Goa with 18 ambulances and launched 108 services in Chennai a fleet of 33 ambulances on 15th September 2008.108 services were flagged off with 5 ambulances in Rajasthan - Jaipur on 20th September 2008 and now has a total of 40 ambulances spanning the respective districts. EMRI launched 108 services in Karnataka on 1st November with 66 ambulances to begin with and in Assam on 6th November with 20 ambulances and Meghalaya with 15 ambulances on 2nd February 2009. Having signed the MOU with State Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Punjab to launch emergency response services in their respective states, the day is not far when 108 will be recognized as a single number for all emergencies throughout India.

Working towards benchmarking with the best in the world EMRI has collaboration with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, AAPI, AAEMI, NENA, Richmond Ambulance Authority (USA), R.Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Centre, Stanford University, Singapore Health Services Pvt Ltd, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), GEOMED-Germany, Corporate Hospitals and NGO’s.