Disaster Theory and Practice - Coursework Example

DISASTER THEORY AND PRACTICE On the night of December 2, 1984, a gas leak from Union Carbide India Pesticide plant triggered the world’s worst industrial disasters. It occurred in Bhopal, one of India’s most beautiful and historic cities. The leakage released about 30 metric tons of methyl isocyanate and exposed thousands of people to toxic chemicals. In a span of two days, 2500 were killed and 15,000 followed suit several days later (Gupta, 2006, p.79). Official reports estimated that at least 200,000 suffered from the disaster on the long-term. Bhopal’s experience is a grim reminder of the adverse effects of industrialization that cities inevitably pursue in the name of development. Here, it is made clear that the breadth of the damage to the environment, people and property could far outweigh the gains from industrial operations. Besides this variable, the Bhopal incident revealed two other important factors in the occurrence of man-made disasters: disaster preparedness and disaster management. These factors are the focus of this report. Since industrialization is an imperative for growth, cities like Eurotown will have to ensure that the risks entailed in such activity are minimized if not entirely eliminated. The purpose of this report is to explain the importance of disaster preparedness and mitigation for Eurotown. It is divided into four parts: disaster mitigation measures; disaster preparedness measures; a comparison of the impact of disaster in Eurotown and a smaller city; and, the outline of theories that explain disasters so that they can best be understood and prepared for. The report will focus on man-made disasters. Disaster Mitigation Measures Disaster mitigation has always relied on the right amount and accurate information. This aggravated by the fact that scholarly investigations on the subject are scarce owing to the fact that disaster or disaster management is a new discipline. Unfortunately, information is a critical part in mitigation planning, which, in turn, is the core component of any mitigation measure. Such measure works in anticipation of future risk. In specific measures such as the community-based partnerships, the implementation of hazard mitigation measures, the assurance of stability and continued functionality of critical services, among other short term and long term mitigation efforts, the relevance of information is highlighted (Ciottone, 2006, p. 140). Information dissemination ensures that communities are aware and cooperative so that mitigation initiatives and joint partnerships become successful. Accurate and timely data are also crucial in the manner by which systems, regulations, policies, laws are formulated and implemented. Finally, information can hold all the strategic measures together in an overarching framework so that mitigation efforts are cohesive and targets are achieved. According to UN report, systematic gaps in disaster data collection and presentation would mean that disaster assessment and, hence, the response will be inadequate (UNHSP, 2007, p. 177). Of particular importance to mitigation efforts is a stronger participation of the private sector. It is important because the sector is often the source of potential risk to the community it operates in. For instance, a petrochemical refinery in Eurotown can cause an oil spill, which could affect the city’s water resources and the health of those in the communities affected. As a partner in mitigation initiative or as part of local government regulation, the company could design its own mitigation plans that would ensure quick and thorough cleanup or even facilitate a relocation of its physical facilities such as its pipelines or those that are located near waterways. Disaster Preparedness Measures It is important to explain that man-made disasters are highly diverse and numerous. And all of these are considered to be unpredictable and that experts recognize how they can be difficult to prepare for as a consequence. However, there are numerous ways by which the authorities, the public and private sectors can do in order to protect themselves. The most important of disaster preparedness measures concern the state’s initiatives. For example, the United States has enacted the Homeland Security Act of 2002, establishing the US Department of Homeland Security, which is mandated to prevent and prepare for man-made disasters. Cities were part of the consolidated and interdepartmental/interagency strategy on the federal level to perform its ultimate objective. In the disaster preparedness aspect of this wide-ranging reform, local government, cities, counties and communities were encouraged to draft and implement disaster preparedness plans because they are not only the ones immediately affected but are considered first responders in the event of a disaster. Most American states enacted laws that contain provisions about the creation of agency to prepare for and deal with emergencies (Veenema, 2007, p.104). In this condition, a city’s mayor can declare a state of emergency, which would give the local executive to suspend certain laws and enact temporary regulations such as the imposition of curfew or the restriction of movement of individuals and the establishment of emergency medical shelters (Veenema, p.104). The American preparedness strategy underpins the general principle that disaster preparedness are measures that will enable and empower the authorities, organizations, agencies, communities and individuals to respond rapidly and effectively to disaster situations (Dave et al., 2002, p.256). Specific measures within the preparedness strategy include the mobilization and coordination of agencies such as those in the fire, rescue, police, hospital and military services as well as organizations such as utility companies. Communities are also part of preparedness initiatives. An excellent model is for communities to adopt disaster preparedness strategy or disaster preparedness plan. The idea is not just for the community to be prepared to handle disasters but to have the necessary systems and mechanisms that would enable them to detect, report and manage disasters (Dave et al., p.256). Individuals are also part of the preparedness strategy in the context of the fact that it relies on coordination, cooperation and awareness. Effective mobilization in this aspect can lead to convergence or how people come together with a desire to help and respond to a disaster, which could be harnessed effectively by a disaster manager. Although, there will always that degree of unpredictability in disasters, there are previous incidents where lessons can be learned. As in the case of the Bhopal disaster, many risks and threats can be identified and addressed so they can be reduced. Moreover, it was argued that most disasters have common detection and response elements and the a systematic preparedness measure or strategy can help in rational and effective initiatives in addressing disaster in all of its stages (Dave et al., p.256) The Impact of Disaster Eurotown is a large city with a 612,000 population as of March 2012. While the city is known for its universities and vibrant cultural life, it is also home to heavy industries, operating in its suburbs. Multinational companies such as Craven Steel and Neld Maritime maintain physical facilities in addition to numerous manufacturing plants operated by consumer goods and chemical industries. The progressive industry is demonstrated by the fact that it has one of the busiest ports in Europe. Eurotown is not prone to natural disasters. Its proximity to the sea has induced some instances of flooding but the latest happened five years ago. Hence, it cannot be considered as a natural disaster hotspot. However, the prevalence of industrial activities, particularly the chemical industries, heightened the probability of man-made disasters. According to Emsley (1988), the trouble with these kinds of industries is that when things go wrong, they do so catastrophically (p.67). This has been depicted in the case of Bhopal, which demonstrated not just the tremendous amount of casualties but the speed by which they accumulated. Eurotown, hence, could suffer more damages in comparison with a smaller sized city with less heavy industrial activities. The population and the amount of industries involved will ensure higher amount and range of risks. A larger urban location – with its many physical, social and economic events and their attendant processes and contexts – is more vulnerable than those with smaller versions of it (Pelling and Wisner, 2012, p.71). This is supported by a UN study that underscores how disasters have bigger impact on highly urbanized cities like Eurotown because it is easily magnified, with the city being more susceptible to the adverse impact of failures such as those critical infrastructures and utility and the outbreak of disease, among others. Eurotown is similar in this respect to Bhopal. While safety must have been different between the two cities, the short amount of time needed for a disaster to spread would eradicate the mitigating effects of improved safety standards or related factor. On Understanding Disasters The discourse on disaster mitigation and preparedness is dominated by uncertainty in terms of risks and probabilities. Disasters, as has been explained by experts, are differentiated according to the conditions present in a particular location. In the case of Eurotown, the condition is typified by high level of industrial activity amidst a highly urbanized and populated city. The mitigation and preparedness measures that can be adopted have to follow systematic strategies and frameworks like the prescriptive theory, which offer models like Command and Control, Integrated Management and the Community-based Approach to disaster. Theories like it enable stakeholders to better understand disaster then the measures and initiatives designed to address it. It allows them to make informed decisions and effective participation and engagement in dealing with disasters. Policymakers will be able to develop effective plans, strategies and policies. The private sector, the community and individuals have better understanding in their placements and roles in the mitigation and preparedness schemes. References Ciottone, G., 2006. Disaster Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Health Sciences. Dave, P.K., Gupta, S., Parmar, N.K. and Kant, S., 2002. Emergency Medical Services and Disaster Management: A Holistic Approach. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Publishers. Emsley, J., 1988. Riding the Chemical Tiger. New Scientist, 119(1621), p.67. Gupta, R., 2006. Handbook of Neuroemergency Clinical Trials. San Diego, CA: Academic Press. Hilgenkamp, K., 2005. Environmental Health: Ecological Perspectives. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Pelling, M. and Wisner, B., 2012. Disaster Risk Reduction: Cases from Urban Africa. London: Routledge. United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UNHSP)., 2007. Enhancing Urban Safety and Security: Global Report on Human Settlements 2007. London: Earthscan. Veenema, T., 2007. Disaster Nursing and Emergency Preparedness for Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Terrorism and Other Hazards: Second Edition. Berlin: Springer. Read More