The National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies - Case Study Example

Introduction The National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies (NRR) is a manuscript published by the Government of the United Kingdom, since 2008, seeking to provide guidelines emergencies preparedness. The manuscript provides detailed and informed information concerning all civil emergencies in the United Kingdom, forecasting other emergencies, which the residents may face in subsequent years. This is achieved through a detailed analysis of the current emergencies, as well as the strategies which the Government is taking to respond and/prepare against current and possible civil emergencies. According to the contingencies act 2004, civil emergencies are events and/or situations which daunts or cause harm or damage to residents’ welfare. According to the NRR, the social damage caused by events is referred to as losses. The title of this Document, National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies, gives the leader a broadened idea of what to expect in the document, that is, a collection of all civil emergencies found in the country. The aim of this paper is to discuss the various civil emergencies identified in the NRR almanac, give the various government preparedness strategies, as well as providing a critical appraisal of all strategies and methodologies used in the process. Organisation The document is organised into various chapters, each with unique information, seeking to exemplify on the subject of civil emergencies. The first chapter of the Document gives a concise introduction to civil emergency, giving the various definitions of the terms to be used throughout the whole document. This gives the leader, a general overview, on what to expect in the document, as well as elucidating the various terms in the text, assisting in better understanding of the text. The second topic gives a detailed overview of various civil emergencies, which are prioritised, due to their high risk potentials. These include wildfires, coastal flooding, as well as, pandemic influenzas. The last chapter, chapter three, gives a detailed description of the previously identified civil emergencies, giving a detailed overview of the strategies undertaken by the state, as well as those which should be undertaken by individuals to prevent occurrences f emergencies, as well as mitigating their adversities after occurrence. This approach is remarkable, since it gives a sequential analysis of the subject matter, hence a clear follow-up by the leader. High Risk Civil Emergencies The NRR almanac targets the private, public as well as the voluntary sector, which are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the various risks outlined in the document. In addition, the NRR documents encourages all sectors in the country to familiarize themselves with all other civil emergencies, which are outlined in other documents, to ensure safety, after follow up of the established preparedness strategies. Pandemic Influenzas According to document, the pandemic Influenzas such as the H1N1 and Swine flu are the highest priority risks, since there are few recorded catastrophes of the magnitude of Tsunami in the U.K. However, the documents acknowledges that the 2009 swine flu outbreak was lesser severe than forecasted severity level. Other pandemic influenzas that have befallen the United Kingdom include the three brutal pandemic influenzas of the twentieth century, the Spanish flu and the Asian flu, as well as the avian flu, H5N1. Other highest priority risks in the UK include coastal flooding, which according to the NRR document are caused by the amalgamations of tidal waves, and tidal surges caused by the strong winds blowing over the UK east coasts (Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Science and Technology., 2011, p. 94). The NRR document that any major flooding in the east coast would be lethal, due to the high investments made along the coast, as well as the huge populace living and working in the country’s east coast. However, the document acknowledges the fact that there have been huge investments made in preventing and reducing the severity of coastal flooding (Cabinet Office, 2013, pp. 1-54). Catastrophic Terrorists’ Attacks According to the NRR documents, catastrophic terrorists’ attacks are other events that are likely to cause civil harm. According to the document, catastrophic terrorists’ attacks are less likely to cause mass impacts, though they cannot be completely ruled out following the past terrorists attacks, such as the 9/11 attack. The NRR document recognizes the various counterterrorism strategies, which the Government employs in reducing and/or stopping terrorism activities, such as reducing terrorists access to proficiency materials required in instituting terrorists’ attacks, as well as scrutinizing all immigration areas, to stop the influx of terrorists in the country. According to the NRR matrix, terrorists and malicious attacks include attacks on cyber infrastructure, such as transport and communication networks, buildings and social infrastructure, as well as attacks on crowded places (Cabinet Office, 2013, pp. 1-54). Volcanic Eruptions According to the NRR document, volcanic eruptions are among other civil emergencies which may befall the U.K. The severity of volcanic eruptions is attributed to the choking gasses as well as the hot ashes emitted from these volcanic eruptions. According to the NRR documents, volcanic eruptions from other countries can still have negative impacts on the U.K. residents, as seen from the 2010 volcanic eruptions in Iceland. The document recognizes the adversities of volcanic eruptions on individuals’ health, transport, as well as the agricultural sector.Volcanic eruptions have been established as a major threat in the country, following an in depth analysis of the potentiality of occurrence of volcanic eruptions with the relevant sectors, such as the meteorological as well as geological experts (Cabinet Office, 2013, pp. 1-54). Severe Wildfires Among the NRR newly recognized civil risks in the United Kingdom include the severe wildfires which have been on the rise during the recent past. According to NRR document, wildfires are the inadvertent and unmanaged fires which occur in the natural environment, engulfing forests, moorlands, heaths, as well as grasslands. These wildfires have huge adversities, affecting the normal operations of the country. For instance, the 2011 wildfire that had engulfed the Swinley forest had noteworthy negative impacts on the businesses surrounding the forests, as well as closure of schools. According to NRR almanac, wildfires, leads to loss of lives, causes damage, and/or disrupts transport networks, energy infrastructures such as power lines and pipelines, disrupts business normal operations, as well as destroying property (Halligan, 2003, p. 197). In addition, wildfires cause air and water pollutions, thereby threat to human health and safety. Control Measures and Critique Due to the greater possibility of occurrence of the above mentioned problems, as well as the huge losses attributable to them, the government has taken various measures, which are aimed at controlling the adversities of these civil emergencies in case they occur. The NRR has identified the various precautionary measures, which the government has instituted to control these civil emergencies. To reduce the adversities associated with pandemic influenzas, the government aims at sustaining a stockpile of antiviral, which can treat various pandemics. According to NRR, the government maintains an abundant pile of curative medicines such as zanamivir and oseltamivir, sufficient to treat about half of the total population in U.K. This stock is regularly reviewed to ensure that they will be effective in treating any ensuing pandemic. In addition the government maintains a regular supply of vaccines, which are imperative in protecting the residents from viral infections (Cabinet Office, 2013, pp. 1-54). Additionally, the document gives an analysis of new and up-coming contagious diseases, and the strategies adopted by the government in dealing with these diseases. According to NRR, SARS is one of the new infectious diseases that have continued to cause mayhem all over the globe. However, the document has recognized that the conventional public health and contagion control measures are still effective in restraining the spread of the upcoming infectious diseases. In addition, the NRR document recognizes the need for earlier detection of infectious diseases by relevant bodies, which is imperative in ensuring effective control (Cabinet Office, 2013, pp. 1-54). According to NRR document, infectious diseases may be indigenous or foreign, hence the need to adopt surveillance and diagnostic strategies to all immigrants, to ensure that the foreign infectious disease is treated before spreading in the home country. This is also imperative in global management of infectious diseases, since the origin of the disease is effectively identified (Halligan, 2003, p. 197) This government instituted measures, against civil emergencies are important since they help prevent the occurrence of civil emergencies, which lead to civil losses. Among the preventable civil emergencies include diseases and pandemics, which are prevented using effective immunizations. In addition, to preventing the occurrence of civil emergencies, government instituted strategies assist in reducing the adversities associated with the occurred civil emergencies (Halligan, 2003, p. 198). The government sensitizes civil emergencies to both the private and the public sectors, edifying the populace on methodologies aimed at reducing the occurrence and/or adversities of civil emergencies in case of occurrence. This reduces the losses associated with civil emergencies, hence maintenance of citizens health and safety. The NRR report of the various civil emergencies is an all-inclusive document, since it gives an in-depth explanation of the various emergencies, which may face the United Kingdom. These identified emergencies are up to date and well-versed since they are recognized after an in-depth analysis, as well as, in-depth scrutiny by the experts. The prioritized emergencies, also regarded as high risk emergencies are well versed, since history has proven their huge adversities, in cases of occurrence. In addition, the identified government strategies for maintaining and controlling civil emergencies are effective hence recommendable (Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Science and Technology. 2011, p. 94). Negative Critique Though the document has critically analysed the strategies which the government adopts in curing and preventing the spread of contagious diseases, it sheds little or no light on the strategies adopted in controlling other identified high risk civil emergencies (Halligan, 2003, p. 94). On coastal flooding, the document only states the huge investments in the sector, without detailing the exact investment. In addition, the document has not illustrated any strategies for curbing wildfires, and reducing the impacts of volcanic eruptions, hence more work should be done. Despite the inadequate information in some areas, the NRR document gives an ample background of the various civil emergencies in the United Kingdom, hence a reliable information source. Conclusion As aforementioned, occurrences of civil emergencies have the potential of causing great damage among the population. These damages depend on the extent as well as the location of the civil emergency, with those occurring in places with huge populations causing more damage than those occurring in areas with low populace. Each country has different civil emergencies, according to geographical, social and environmental factors. In the United Kingdom, the high risk civil emergencies include pandemic influenzas, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, as well as, catastrophic terrorist activities. The government through its various bodies has adopted various strategies to reduce the negative impacts of civil emergencies, in case of their occurrence. Some of these include use of vaccines and curative drugs to prevent and cure contagious diseases, preventing terrorists from accessing dangerous weapons which may be used in terrorism, investing highly in flood control, among other strategies. These are imperative in preventing the occurrence of civil emergencies, or reducing adversities after incidence Bibliography Cabinet Office. (2013). National Risk Register of Civil Emergencies. London: Cabinet Office. Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Science and Technology. (2011). Scientific advice and evidence in emergencies : third report of session 2010-11. London: Stationery Office. Halligan, J. (2003). Civil service systems in Anglo-American countries. Cheltenham [u.a.] : Elgar. Read More