The first step of the emergency planning process is assessing the existing risks (Lang, 2017). The risks Harris County is exposed to include natural hazards, such as fire hazards and hurricanes, and homeland security events, such as terrorist attacks (Harris County, n.d.). It is possible to say that the likelihood of terrorist attacks in the location is low, as natural calamities are the most significant burden for Harris County. However, it is crucial for the Harris County Sheriff Office to be prepared for homeland security events as well.
The second step of the emergency planning process is the implementation of the phases of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery (State of Queensland, 2019). Mitigation measures are those that can minimize the risk for hazards; for instance, the Harris County Sheriff Office can review traffic patterns and landscape features near public places to ensure that terrorists cannot use them (Waterloo Catholic District School Board, n.d.). Preparedness measures can include developing an emergency plan and inspecting available equipment regularly. The response phase implies following the existing plan and take action timely. Finally, the recovery process can involve the analysis of the events and their outcomes.
The next step that is vital for ensuring continuity of services is making crucial information accessible timely. It may involve reporting the data about the homeland security event to both local and federal agencies, and, most importantly, to the local population. Moreover, all individuals should be informed about the existing risks time as well. Finally, the Harris County Sheriff Office should concentrate on updating response procedures on time. These ideas can be applied in a real-world situation because they are based on the classic model of ensuring emergency preparedness among organizations and communities.
References
Harris County. (n.d.). Alerts. Web.
Lang, R. (2017). 5 steps to emergency preparedness for any disaster. Web.
State of Queensland. (2019). Disaster management. Guideline. Web.
Waterloo Catholic District School Board. (n.d.). 5.0 mitigation, preparedness, response & recovery. Web.