Emergency Response Plans: Disaster Management Essay

Disaster Management: Emergency Response Plans

Emergencies and disasters normally occur without warning and if not well prepared for, the effects can be devastating. The state of Wisconsin, for example, deals with damages caused by various natural disasters every year. According to The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (2015), it has incurred losses amounting to $3 billion from disasters in the last 30 years. More specifically, in Milwaukee, damages caused by tornadoes are higher than both the state and national averages. Emergency response plans are important because they provide efficient guidance and coordination procedures in the event of a disaster. These plans outline measures that can be applied to mitigate the losses incurred, responses to the disaster, preparedness for future disasters and activities that may be needed to help in the recovery process. This text presents the emergency response plan for the city of Milwaukee that will aid in response to the three most frequent disasters.

Hazard analysis

The city of Milwaukee is subjected to damages caused by floods and tornadoes every year, which cause injuries, damage to property and infrastructure, loss of life and multiple injuries (The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, 2015). The city is also prone to extreme heat waves. Tornadoes are characterized by extremely high winds that pose a great risk to anyone in their path due to a significant load of flying and falling objects. The resulting wreckage is equally dangerous. Floods are normally triggered by heavy rainfall and expose people to risk associated with contaminated water, moving objects, falling trees and other infrastructure and drowning. Heat waves are described as one of the most dangerous though subtle disasters. They are caused by prolonged high temperatures resulting from high atmospheric pressure in one place. Severe heat waves can cause extreme discomfort, heat related illnesses such as heat stroke, crop failure, and power outages that arise from excessive use of air conditioning. The three disasters are frequent in Milwaukee, which necessitates the preparation of a response plan to make locals more prepared.

Mitigation

Vulnerability is a key element of studies about natural disasters (Haque and Etkin, 2012). It quantifies the damage and loss that is likely to be incurred in the event of a disaster. Some activities can significantly reduce the negative effects of natural hazards and increase the level of preparedness.

To mitigate floods, retention basins and dams should be constructed along mainstreams, which will enable excess water to be stored and later released after the floods. Flood zones should also be restructured and zoned. Individuals can make their houses flood proof by using anchorages and digging trenches around the house and risky places evacuated. Families can also take up flood insurance to protect their property. Heat waves can be mitigated by staying cool and changing fluid intake and the mode of dressing. Risks from tornadoes are significantly reduced by weather forecasts and tornado watches. Cabinets at home should be anchored and each family should have basements and safe rooms prepared with all the relevant supplies in the event of tornado warnings.

Preparedness

These are activities that can facilitate disaster response and reduce loss of lives…