A hurricane is a natural occurrence that results from a tropical wave and then gradually becomes an intense storm. A hurricane can destroy any building structure with a weak foundation. Without a fast response team, many people might lose their lives when they are carried away by water. In most cases, it is not easy for people to swim because of the high velocity of the floods. The hurricane comes when the festivities are ongoing, causing panic across the region.
The response team included national guard airmen and soldiers, military forces, and humanitarian non-governmental organizations such as Redcross. People trained in life-saving at the event, and most vehicles that brought people into the event were present. The response was from the federal, state, and humanitarian response teams. Even without prior planning. The first phase is mitigation, whose primary intention is to eliminate or lower the chances of a catastrophic hurricane.
Disaster preparedness is the second phase and involves planning, training, and exercise to enhance response during the actual response.
Phase 3 is the response and offers immediate assistance, enhance health and provide psychosocial support to the affected people.
Phase 4 is organizing recovery where people work hard to restore the resources and enhance their livelihood after the immediate danger is done.
Military command associations, responsible for emergency and disaster operations are ever prepared with communication channels with a chain of authorities responsible for giving orders. When there are many governmental organizations working together, the reinforcement and human resources. However, without proper teamwork and coordination, people get confused. For example, two organizations may find themselves crowded in one area while another is unattended. The result is a wastage of resources and time with more fatalities. However, with a single chain of command handling communication, teamwork improves
The dual status commander is a trained and commissioned officer of the regular air force or army, Army National Guard (ARNG), and Air National Guard (ANG), legally serving two statuses. They undergo special training that prepares, equips, and organizes them to deliver their duty (U.S. Army War College,2019). The DSC may also have to work and familiarize themselves with the coded language of both federal and state levels and understand communication in crisis management.
The Hurricane led to a poor network because of the raging storm. Moreover, some poles were destroyed by the flooding waters cutting the telephone lines. The panic made some people run and leave behind everything, including their phones. Moreover, given the nature of the technology, some were destroyed by the water after falling, making coordination and assembling of resources strenuous. The operation between the different agencies was fair despite the technical challenges. However, the vehicles that were available were not sufficient for logistic purposes, given that a few people required emergency. Significant improvement is needed to enhance future preparedness.
The NRF provides guidelines that people can follow in case of disaster. The policy is that the organizations should involve the entire community and integrate continuity plans. It aims to restore life in the community and enhance stability. The organizations failed in guideline of involving people and humanitarian entities due to poor collaboration.
References
Burke, R., Fowler, M., & McCaskey, K. (2018). Military strategy, joint operations, and airpower: An introduction. Georgetown University Press.
National response framework. (2021). | FEMA.gov.
U.S. Army War College. (2019). How the army runs: A senior leader reference handbook, 2017-2018 (3rd ed.). Lulu.com.