Introduction
Natural disasters encumber economic and social growth since they destroy resources that are hugely depended on by a given society. While some of the disasters are unpreventable, the governments and all stakeholders have taken steps to counter their negative impact. Hurricane Katrina is one of the unprecedented disasters that led to deaths and the destruction of economic resources. Although the government and private sectors responded to Hurricane Katrina, their actions were ineffective, calling for an alternative approach to disaster preparedness.
State and Federal Agencies’ Resources
Effectiveness
The State and Federal agencies must protect Americans during any kind of natural disaster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), responds to disasters by adopting an effective framework. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Federal government signed a $10.4 billion aid package that helped the victims (Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina, 2005). The State governments gave emergency responses such as firefighting and medical services. Although the Federal and State governments tried to respond to the disaster, their efforts were considered ineffective.
Mistakes
The State and Federal agencies’ response to Hurricane Katrina was occasioned by various mistakes. First, the response was politically charged, encumbering rescue and evacuation activities. The White House only wanted to federalize the response in Louisiana where the governor was a Democrat. Some of the mayors waited for twenty-four hours to give an evacuation order (Almutairi, 2022). Finally, there was a delay from Washington to allow the state’s guard to help affected areas. The mistakes done during the response led to the loss of many lives and the destruction of properties.
Alternative Actions
The Federal and State agencies could have taken alternative actions to ensure an effective response to the Hurricane. First, considering the public interest in such a response, all the political agencies could have formed a united responsive alliance. Second, the Federal and State governments could have adopted a single and uniform response plan. Last, all the involved parties would be trained, specifically, on how to handle the existing disaster. Therefore, unity among stakeholders and effective human resource training would have saved many lives during Hurricane Katrina.
First Responders
Effectiveness
First responders play a significant role in responding to disasters. The first responders include policemen, firefighters, and medical personnel, among others (Greinacher et al., 2019). While the Federal and State agencies give orders on how to respond to emergencies, the first responders have the capacity of ensuring that the action is effective. During the hurricane, the medical personnel saved the lives of the Americans trapped in the floods (Almutairi, 2022). Although the first responders helped in managing the effects of the hurricane, their effectiveness was limited to inadequate training.
Mistakes Made
While the first responders did a recommendable job, some of their mistakes led to the failure of the Hurricane Katrina rescue mission. First, they were disunited and divided along their levels of governance and political affiliations (Renne & Mayorga, 2022). Second, the first responders lacked enough rescue skills that would grant a successful mission. Last, the first responders lacked an effective evacuation plan that would have allowed them to rescue every person that was affected by the hurricane. Although the first responders exhibited the mistakes, they could not be entirely blamed for the response failures.
Alternative Actions
Human life is precious, and it was the duty of the first responders to ensure that they effectively executed their duties. The first responders would work in harmony regardless of the agencies that sent them to the rescue mission. Additionally, despite the insufficient training, the first respondents would have used their expert knowledge in executing the rescue activities. Furthermore, they would have raised concerns about the issues and directives, such as relocation to areas that needed less attention, that they found absurd. Unity and effectiveness among the first responders would have led to a successful rescue mission.
Secondary Emergency Services
Effectiveness
Secondary emergency services are significant in helping the victims of a disaster. The services include medical services, recovery of dead bodies, and packages to boost victims’ sustenance. During Hurricane Katrina, the secondary emergency services were effective since the victims benefitted from medical services. Additionally, the policemen ensured that the victims were safe in their newly relocated areas. Furthermore, the governments offered relief food and shelter to the victims. The secondary emergency services were but occasioned with several failures.
Mistakes
Various stakeholders made mistakes when offering emergency services after Hurricane Katrina. There was no proper coordination among the emergency service providers. For instance, the guard at the state government levels failed to work with those from the federal level. Additionally, the absence of an effective rescue plan made it difficult for medical services to be offered to the rescued victims. Furthermore, the federal government failed to waive the Stafford Act, which required the localities to contribute 10% of the construction costs and cleanup activities (Short, 2021). Therefore, the lives and properties of the victims remained endangered due to poor secondary emergency responses.
Alternative Actions
Various actions could have been taken to ensure that the secondary emergency services were effective. The government and all stakeholders could have adopted an effective emergency services plan that would bring together all the involved parties. Consequently, every service provider would know what was required from them. Additionally, the stakeholders could call upon the private sector to help alleviate the situation. Effective planning and involvement of other public and private entities would help offer effective emergency services.
Private Sector Resources
Effectiveness
Although the rescue and response missions solely lie on the Federal and State governments, the private sector plays pivotal roles. The private entities took part in providing relief food and other basic needs to the victims. Additionally, the private sector such as media houses ensured that the activities were aired live. Furthermore, some private companies ensured that their employees who were affected by the hurricane received medical cover among other reliefs. Therefore, the private sector in supporting the victims, though to a limited extent.
Mistakes
Although the private sector’s initiatives during Hurricane Katrina were helpful, they were accompanied by several mistakes. Like the public agencies, the private sectors failed to unite to save the lives of Americans. Additionally, overreliance on the Federal and State governments led to insufficient private sector resources to help victims. Furthermore, the private sector failed to coordinate with the public agencies in saving the situation. Therefore, the mistakes made called for specific alternative actions.
Alternative Actions
Unity among the private sectors and public agencies is crucial in countering natural disasters. Consequently, the governments and the private sectors could complement each other when offering the emergency response to the hurricane. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was disastrous to the private sector. Therefore, they could have come together despite their divided interests. Encouraging teamwork among all the private sectors involved could have boosted available resources to save the lives of Americans.
Conclusion
Hurricane Katrina is one of the most destructive events in U.S. history. The hurricane destroyed the lives and livelihoods of many Americans. The State and Federal governments ineffectively responded to the disaster. Moreover, many mistakes were made by the involved parties such as the first responders and the private sectors. Proper coordination among the public and private bodies would ensure that the situation was tamed. Therefore, effective alternative approaches to Hurricane Katrina could have made it less severe.
References
Almutairi, Y. (2022). New Orleans Hurricane Evacuation Plan. Journal of Engineering Sciences, 50(5), 25–38.
Greinacher, A., Derezza-Greeven, C., Herzog, W., & Nikendei, C. (2019). Secondary traumatization in first responders: a systematic review. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 10(1), 1562840.
Renne, J. L., & Mayorga, E. (2022). What has America learned Since Hurricane Katrina? Evaluating evacuation plans for carless and vulnerable populations in 50 large cities across the United States. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 80, 103226.
Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina. (2005). A FAILURE OF INITIATIVE. U.S. Government Publishing Office. Web.
Short, J. R. (2021). Hurricane Katrina, infrastructure deficit and the costs of climate change. Stress Testing the USA, 37–86.