Overview
Emergency management allows organizations and rescuer teams to respond, prevent and minimize the consequences of disasters. It is essential to understand the concepts of emergency management, a theoretical approach for the formation of the correct behavior strategy in the event of threats. The history of emergency management is vital to understanding government protection’s strengths and weaknesses in disasters. Finally, realizing the importance of the topic will raise public awareness of the rules of conduct in emergencies.
Definition
Emergency management is a set of measures aimed at timely response with resources and responsibilities, resolving the humanitarian aspects of emergencies. An emergency is a situation in which the normal functioning of society is interrupted, and specific measures are required to prevent a disaster (Peters et al., 2019). The purpose of emergency management is to reduce the harmful effects of the crisis on people and the environment.
Theories
Theories of emergency management are essential to choose the right approach and deal with them with minimal consequences. Dynes has made a significant theoretical contribution to disaster management (Strandh & Eklund, 2018). The researcher compared organizational tasks and structures and created a precise classification (Strandh & Eklund, 2018). According to Drabek, disaster management should be based on preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery (Drabek, 2018). Disaster prevention professionals must take an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on different areas of expertise.
History
The US understood the importance of creating a system to protect citizens during natural disasters. In 1803, in response to a wildfire in Portsmouth, Congress passed a bill designed to help merchants (Canton, 2019). In 1979, the government created the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (Canton, 2019). Congress subsequently passed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, which created the Department of Homeland Security (Canton, 2019). The Department of Homeland Security will then handle extensive emergency management.
ImportanceEmergency management is crucial because it is a strategy for dealing with a crisis. Competent management allows the professionals to identify dangerous conditions and prevent them or minimize their consequences. Management reduces the number of casualties and facilitates recovery after an emergency. In addition, it is essential to correctly allocate resources and identify risks, which is what emergency management copes with. Competent management is also vital for preventing catastrophes and avoiding casualties.
Conclusion
The importance of emergency management cannot be overestimated: it is essential for saving lives, preventing disasters, and minimizing the consequences. Currently, the US Department of Homeland Security protects citizens from the results of emergencies, but the development of this direction and the rethinking of mistakes is still underway. Through the theoretical study of disasters, one can significantly contribute to the fight against disasters and develop effective practical methods.
References
Canton, L. G. (2019). Emergency management: Concepts and strategies for effective programs. John Wiley & Sons.
Drabek, T. E. (2018). The human side of disaster. CRC Press.
Strandh, V., & Eklund, N. (2018). Emergent groups in disaster research: Varieties of scientific observation over time and across studies of nine natural disasters. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 26(3), 329-337.
Peters, D. H., Hanssen, O., Gutierrez, J., Abrahams, J., & Nyenswah, T. (2019). Financing common goods for health: core government functions in health emergency and disaster risk management. Health Systems & Reform, 5(4), 307-321.