Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Striking MOU helps in establishing a fast-tracking response to disasters. The interagency bodies are convened based on an agreeable MOU. In the National Response Framework, there are two MOU referred to as Domestic Readiness Group and Counterterrorism Security Group. The two play vital roles in mitigating security concerns. The former MOU co-ordinates the preparedness and responds to disasters (“National Response Framework,” 2008).
Moreover, it evaluates policy issues that serve great value to preparedness and incident management. This group is essential while seeking the necessary recommendations to fast-track disaster management. The latter is an interagency body convened regularly to develop prevention policies against terrorism (Gordon, 2002). Department of Homeland Security sets counterterrorism as the main priority before the adoption of all hazards approaching disaster management. This has value to policy-making and responds to major concerns regarding terrorism (“National Response Framework,” 2008).
The vitality of Reciprocal Emergency
The cities, towns, and counties have authority and responsibility of preparing, responding, mitigating, and recovering from both natural and human-made disasters. Most of the functions are performed under local management agencies. Emergency management agencies are of vital importance and need to respond to a wide array of disasters ranging from floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes (Gordon, 2002). Consequently, perspective training and resources are a prerequisite to combat some of these disasters effectively. In the post-Katrina and post-9/11, scrutiny has been placed on the government’s extent of responsiveness to some of these threats (“National Response Framework,” 2008).
Reciprocal emergency response agreement between cities is of great value to the inhabitants of the two or more towns covered in the contract. Protecting the public remains the function of the government (“National Response Framework,” 2008). The presence of a reciprocal emergency response agreement helps the two or more authorities in the adjoined cities collectively to offer assistance in terms of personnel and other resources. This helps in preventing massive loss of lives and destruction of properties. The reciprocal emergency management between towns provides a platform for solving issues relating to disaster management. An example of this mutual, reciprocal emergency planning is law enforcement agencies from other cities assisting in the enforcement of curfews and traffic control.
Preferred Communication
The initial response to a disaster depends on the scope of the incident and the co-ordination that exists between the state and local agencies. The proximity of the Federal response employees within the hit area may help to deliver support at a professional and experience level. FEMA may deploy Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs), which are regionally based and provide a response to grave incidences. IMATs meet the needs of both the state and local jurisdictions and provide the initial situational awareness (“National Response Framework,” 2008, pp. 62). Others teams include the Hurricane Liaison Team and Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (“National Response Framework,” 2008, p. 62). The former enhances responses toward hurricane through the exchange of information between the Hurricane Centre and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration components (“National Response Framework,” 2008, p. 62).
The latter is a framework providing emergency services and personnel in urban areas. This response by rescuing people trapped within structural collapse incidences as well as to search and rescue missions. In disaster scenarios, the passage of information is vital to the rescue team. This explains the essence of Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS), which plays the role of providing mobile telecommunications capabilities. Other crucial activities include logistics and operational support for the on-site response. Communications equipment and operators help in the coordination of response in these operations. MERS has the capability of supporting multiple activities within the affected areas concurrently (“National Response Framework,” 2008, p. 62).
References
National Response Framework. 2008. FEMA,13(21), 1-83. Web.
Gordon, J. (2002). Comprehensive emergency management for local governments: Demystifying emergency planning. Brookfield, Conn: Rothstein Associates.