Emergency Management Preparedness Overview

Emergency Management Preparedness Overview Student's Name Institution Course Code and Course Name Professor’s Name Submission Date Contents TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc178775715 \h 3Preparedness Overview PAGEREF _Toc178775716 \h 3Enabling and Guiding Policies and Legislation PAGEREF _Toc178775717 \h 4The Role of Local, State, and Federal Government PAGEREF _Toc178775718 \h 4Steps in the Preparedness Process PAGEREF _Toc178775719 \h 5Preparedness Programs PAGEREF _Toc178775720 \h 6Steps and Activities Involving Preparedness PAGEREF _Toc178775721 \h 6Resiliency at the Individual and Community Level PAGEREF _Toc178775722 \h 7Preparedness for Different Hazards PAGEREF _Toc178775723 \h 7Encouraging and Implementing Preparedness Activities PAGEREF _Toc178775724 \h 8Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) PAGEREF _Toc178775725 \h 8Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc178775726 \h 8References PAGEREF _Toc178775727 \h 10 Introduction Natural and human-made disasters can produce incredible damage to communities, organizations, and individuals. The increased occurrence and magnitude of disasters in recent years have brought to the fore the need for appropriate, effective preparedness strategies for mitigating such disasters. Preparedness involves strategies to be put in place to equip individuals as well as organizations with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective response. It is one of the major parts of the emergency management cycle. This white paper shall, therefore, present a summary of the disaster preparedness process as the new emergency manager for the university. Specific topics to be covered will include guiding policies and legislation, roles of the various levels of government, and specific actions and activities involved in readiness. Additionally, this paper will discuss resiliency at the individual and community levels and how readiness differs among hazards. The Planning for Continuity of Operations will also be discussed to ensure an easier transition of critical functions during and immediately after the disaster. This white paper provides a basic document that shall guide us well in the implementation of appropriate emergency preparedness at our university, with the intent of having our university and community better prepared for whatever disaster might affect the area. Preparedness Overview Preparedness is an essential component of the emergency management cycle and involves processes that are "proactive to reduce the consequences of future disasters" (Homeland Security, 2011). While mitigation deals with measures to prevent hazards from occurring, preparedness is about creating an ability for people, communities, or governments to embark on timely responses in the event of disasters. Emergency plan formulations, drill exercises, adequate emergency supply availability, and a communication system are some of the features involved in preparedness. It aims to enhance the capacity to deal with emergencies at multiple levels in society. Enabling and Guiding Policies and Legislation Policies and legislation create the basis for effective disaster preparedness in various ways emergency management can be conducted. The United States has the Federal Emergency Management Agency that guides preparedness with top policies, including the National Preparedness Goal and the National Response Framework, stating the standards for preparedness activities at the local, state, and federal levels (FEMA, 2015). Laws like the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act provide the legal framework on which the federal government grounds its preparedness and responses to disasters (Sledge & Thomas, 2019). In addition, states and municipalities institute local ordinances, land-use policies, and building codes in congruence with the preparedness standards at the federal level. The Role of Local, State, and Federal Government The art of disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility across all levels of government. Local levels of government prioritize community risk assessment, updates on the emergency management plan, and drills to ensure preparedness. Since they are the first lines of contact upon the occurrence of any disaster, local governments play a major role in the readiness of communities against various types of hazards. The state governments coordinate preparedness efforts across various regions, providing resources and expertise whenever needed. They also aid local governments in establishing training, equipment, and information dissemination programs. States als...