Comprehensive Emergency Management

Four Phases of Comprehensive Emergency Management

Hazard of all sorts are a part of people’s daily lives. Disaster occurs when people are injured or loss of property has taken place (American Public University System). The population in the US has increased over the years and it is causing disasters to occur more frequently (American Public University System). Emergency management in the US is even more focused in preparing and mitigating potential hazards than ever before. Whether these hazards occur naturally or manmade, emergency management personnel developed a holistic approach in emergency management. This holistic approach is called the comprehensive emergency management to address all large-scale potential hazards both natural

7). This phase is also where activities such as training and conducting rehearsals on response and evacuation processes and procedures occur. Additionally, this phase is where the identification of strengths and weaknesses of activities and procedures. The response phase usually occur when a potential hazard or a disaster is about to take place. Response phase’s purpose is to protect the lives and wellbeing of the population and to lessen the potential disaster’s initial and secondary impact (Islam & Ryan, 2016, p. 12). In this stage, if a severe weather is forecasted emergency managers starts to deploy necessary resources to meet its goals. This phase is also where the developed Emergency Operations Plans or EOP goes in full effect. Recovery phase begins immediately after lifesaving activities are about to be over in the response phase (Islam & Ryan, 2016). Restoring the key infrastructures that provide people’s immediate needs such as power, water, and sewage systems are the primary focus of this phase. In mitigation phase, any activities conducted that reduces or eliminates hazards from happening to the population and their properties are considered mitigation. Although natural disasters cannot be mitigated, changing the mindsets of the population to prevent loss of life and properties is considered meeting the primary goal of the mitigation phase. Mitigation activities such as planning, strategizing, and implementation are conducted before an incident