A BASIC LOOK AT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
All communities are vulnerable to a variety of hazards. Emergency management provides a system for preparation, prevention, response, and recovery relating to these hazards.
In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA, is the main federal agency for emergency management. Each state has its own emergency management office. Michigan retains the Michigan State Police Emergency Management & Homeland Security Division or MSP/EMHSD . Most other levels of government have a similar office.
Effective emergency management involves participation at all government levels as well as the private sector and non-governmental organizations such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and the Citizens Corps. Procedures include phases occurring before, during, and after an emergency or disaster event.
When an emergency occurs response begins at the local level. The local agencies respond to the emergency and usually handle it on their own or with local help. If the situation is too large, the emergency management department will coordinate response from other jurisdictions and provide the additional needed resources. These resources may come from a local area, neighboring city, or neighboring county and with proper declarations from the state and federal government. The job of emergency management agencies is not to handle the tactics and actual tasks of an emergency, but to support the scene commanders in their missions.
A key element of emergency management is the preparedness and self-sufficiency of the individual citizen until help can arrive. Individuals should have their own disaster plan and enough food, water and other supplies to last for a minimum of 72 hours. In a large-scale disaster, resources and communications may be overwhelmed and it could take days before help can arrive. Many websites are available to help with emergency planning and building disaster supply kits. FEMA's website, ready.gov, is one such website. Also, check our page for other links.
Disasters are forever imposing on communities and are occurring with greater frequency for a variety of reasons. Population increases have influenced development of formerly rural areas far from urban, centralized cities. As a result, people must consider the reality of facing a natural or man-made disaster where they reside, travel or work. Planning for the inevitable incident can help alleviate the consequences of a disaster.
Countless community programs and organizations need assistance to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters. If you would like to be involved in your community you can join one of the organizations listed in the third paragraph or contact us and we will be glad to help you in finding others.
In the United States, the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA, is the main federal agency for emergency management. Each state has its own emergency management office. Michigan retains the Michigan State Police Emergency Management & Homeland Security Division or MSP/EMHSD . Most other levels of government have a similar office.
Effective emergency management involves participation at all government levels as well as the private sector and non-governmental organizations such as the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and the Citizens Corps. Procedures include phases occurring before, during, and after an emergency or disaster event.
When an emergency occurs response begins at the local level. The local agencies respond to the emergency and usually handle it on their own or with local help. If the situation is too large, the emergency management department will coordinate response from other jurisdictions and provide the additional needed resources. These resources may come from a local area, neighboring city, or neighboring county and with proper declarations from the state and federal government. The job of emergency management agencies is not to handle the tactics and actual tasks of an emergency, but to support the scene commanders in their missions.
A key element of emergency management is the preparedness and self-sufficiency of the individual citizen until help can arrive. Individuals should have their own disaster plan and enough food, water and other supplies to last for a minimum of 72 hours. In a large-scale disaster, resources and communications may be overwhelmed and it could take days before help can arrive. Many websites are available to help with emergency planning and building disaster supply kits. FEMA's website, ready.gov, is one such website. Also, check our page for other links.
Disasters are forever imposing on communities and are occurring with greater frequency for a variety of reasons. Population increases have influenced development of formerly rural areas far from urban, centralized cities. As a result, people must consider the reality of facing a natural or man-made disaster where they reside, travel or work. Planning for the inevitable incident can help alleviate the consequences of a disaster.
Countless community programs and organizations need assistance to prepare for and respond to emergencies and disasters. If you would like to be involved in your community you can join one of the organizations listed in the third paragraph or contact us and we will be glad to help you in finding others.