State Disaster Management System and Emergency Operation Center - Essay Example

Disaster Management System and Emergency Operation Center Disaster Management System and Emergency Operation Center Recent disasters across the USA especially in terms of hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes among other events have made it imperative that each state develops feasible and well-planned disaster response systems, backed by well-equipped Emergency Operations facilities such as the one in Wyoming. Although preparations by Disaster Response Systems have been there for various events, hurricanes have recently proven to be a principal cause of concern.

Statistics such as 8 deaths, electricity disruption affecting 2 million people and 10,000 flights cancelled amid far reaching socioeconomic ruin from Hurricane Irene form part of convincing evidence (ABC News, 2011). This is even without considering the effects of Hurricane Katrina from a few years ago. This essay is a brief on the operations (preparedness, emergency response and recovery) of the State Disaster Management System and the Emergency Operations Center in respect to hurricanes and flooding that usually accompanies such events.

The first consideration for operations in the State Disaster Management System is optimizing it into a tiered response system that is compatible with the National Response Framework. This is not only a federal requirement (National Response Framework, 2008), but also an informed decision since the catastrophic effects of hurricanes are in many occasions beyond a state’s capacity. Cooperation between the state and the federal disaster response unit makes the response synergistic and more effective, unlike disjointed efforts.

The next consideration in this essay is an early warning system and disaster preparedness. This will largely depend on effective communication and liaison which in this case will be facilitated by the state of the art Emergency Operations Center. The center will incorporate Information, Communication and Space Technologies (ICST) which bear wide-ranging applications for preempting, reducing and mitigating disaster such as hurricane and floods (Sahu, 2009). Liaising with weather forecast departments followed by efficient communication to residents will be optimized through the ICST system.

The next step to consider is the emergency response in the event of a hurricane. Through the Emergency Operations Center, the extent of flooding at peak time in different geographical points will be established. This will be followed by a dynamic damage assessment since the disaster itself may be dynamic. Lastly, assessment of affected population and infrastructure will be done (ERS, 2010). This analysis will allow for a rapid search and rescue of affected individuals and supply food and medical care as appropriate through a safe and hygienic warehouse management system.

Field personnel communication system together with transport and warning systems will be established to enhance operations.The last consideration is the recovery from a hurricane event which usually revolves around mitigating flooding, energy and power resupply, food and medical supply and resettling of the population. The Emergency Operations Center will again play a crucial role in establishing the overall extent of damage and duration statistics besides monitoring the reconstruction process.

Renewable energy technologies will be availed alongside continued food and medical supply until the residents regain their self sufficiency. Long term monitoring through satellite will accompany reconstruction (Sahu, 2009).In conclusion, the gist of the entire emergency system operations for hurricanes and flooding is preparedness, emergency response and recovery, which is backed by top of the range technology from the new facility and coordination with the National Response Framework. In essence, this brief showcases the systems operations in case of any disaster.

ReferencesABC News (27 August, 2011). Hurricane Irene: 8 known dead, 2 million without power. Retrieved 21 October, 2011 from http://abcnews.go.com/US/hurricanes/hurricane-irene-dead-million-power/story?id=14393026ERS (2010). Severe storms and hurricanes. Retrieved 21 October, 2011 from http://www.emergencyresponse.eu/gmes/docs_wsw/RUB_119/ssp_gmes_datasheet_04_storms_vi.pdfNational Response Framework, (2008). Department of Homeland Security. Retrieved 21 October, 2011 from http://www.fema.gov/pdf/emergency/nrf/nrf-core.

pdf Sahu, S. (2009). Guidebook on technologies for disaster preparedness and mitigation. Asia and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT). Retrieved 21 October, 2011 http://www.technology4sme.net/docs/Guidebook%20on%20Technologies%20for%20Disaster%20Preparedness%20&%20Mitigation.pdf