In order to protect citizens, infrastructure, business and property, Governors have to perform pivotal responsibilities. In case of a disaster emergency, the Governor which is also the chief executive is responsible for the adequate response of any type of emergency such as human caused, natural or technological incidence1. The performance of a successful emergency response requires from the Governor good communication and relationship with the respective governmental agencies, community, private-sector and institutions2. Therefore, because the Governor should respond to the citizens who voted for him, he should be responsible for maintaining stakeholders always engaged in the public’s health and emergency responses.
According to the Emergency Management Services Code 35 Pa. C.S.A. § 7101-7707, the Governor is responsible of declaring a disaster emergency. In the case of Pittsburgh, although the Mayor can request a declaration of emergency, only the Governor can declare it once the local resources are depleted. If the Governor understands that a disaster has occurred or that a disaster is about to happen, he may issue a Declaration of Disaster Emergency for a period of 90 days. After these 90 days, the Declaration can be reactivated if is still needed3; although the general assembly by concurrent resolution may terminate the state of disaster emergency at any time. Once the Declaration of Disaster Emergency is made by the Governor, then the Commonwealth’s State Emergency Operation Plan (SEOP) is activated. Some of the functions of the SEOP are deployment of Commonwealth personnel and services, implementation of emergency funding measures and the distribution of supplies, equipment, material and other resources. If there are ...
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...h the consequences of any type of incident; to command and deploy the National Guard; to coordinate assistance from other States through interstate mutual aid and assistance compacts, such as the Emergency Management Assistance Compact; to request appropriate Federal assistance when the State capabilities will be insufficient or have been exceeded and to coordinate with impacted tribal governments within the State and initiate requests for a Stafford Act Presidential declaration of an emergency or major disaster on behalf of an impacted tribe when appropriate3.
Works Cited
URL’s
1. http://www.pfesi.org/publication_files/pennsylvania-laws-relating-to-emergency-services.pdf
2. http://www.nga.org/files/live/sites/NGA/files/pdf/1011GOVGUIDEHS.PDF
3. http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/ps/emergencymgt/assets/07_Emergency_Operations_Plan.pdf
2) Maintain critical infrastructure centers (telegraph, bridges, hospitals) that provide a situational awareness capability, actionable information about emerging trends, imminent threats, and the status of any incidents that involve
The National response plan outlines four key actions the disaster coordinator should take. They are gaining and maintaining situational awareness, activate and deploy key resources and capabilities, coordinating response actions and demobilizing. Throughout the response it is essential that responders have access to critical information. During the initial response effort the situation is will change rapidly. Situational awareness starts at the incident site. For this reason it is essential that decision makers have access to the right information at the right time. By establishing an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) all key responders are brought ...
Both man-made and natural disasters are often devastating, resource draining and disruptive. Having a basic plan ready for these types of disaster events is key to the success of executing and implementing, as well as assessing the aftermath. There are many different ways to create an emergency operations plan (EOP) to encompass a natural and/or man-made disaster, including following the six stage planning process, collection of information, and identification of threats and hazards. The most important aspect of the US emergency management system in preparing for, mitigating, and responding to man-made and natural disasters is the creation, implementation and assessment of a community’s EOP.
After a disaster hits, it takes a long time for the local and state government to regain its basic functions and to draft redevelopment plans (Olshansky et al., 2008). With malfunctioning government, it is hard to start the recovery process promptly and citizens who are in need of immense amount of economic and social support suffer from lack of resources and public services.
These hazards can range from hurricanes, to tornados, to mass shootings, and to terrorist attacks. FEMA is there to grant relief to those affected by these tragedies. FEMA makes funds for organizations to create dams, flood gates, and shelters. FEMA helps before a disaster strikes by evacuating homes, and warning people of the imminent danger. The agency works with the Red Cross to help the citizens who were injured in earthquakes, and other disasters. The agency also works with terrorist attacks. If an act of terror were to happen in the United States, FEMA would be there to help the citizens. The main job of FEMA is the welfare of the people. They will do everything in their power to prevent disasters from happening. They will limit the loss of life, and homes from
Emergency Management has always been an important role in government, communities, and some organizations when dealing with planning and response to emergencies and disasters. However, since the September 11th attacks and other terrorist attacks on United States soil such as the Oklahoma City bombing, or the Boston terror attack, emergency management now has a more active and upfront role. Planning for terrorist attacks is no longer if but when.
When a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005 the shock of the destruction quickly became evident with the storm’s aftermath. There was the need for an organized response, however the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was not ready for the magnitude or the severity of damage to adequately and successfully react. FEMA was confronted with a series of events following the disaster in which the agency failed to take control and communicate in helping remedy the catastrophic situation. There was the lack of management in coordinating transportation evacuation measures, supplying needed materials and food as well as housing to the citizens, specifically in New Orleans. The failure of our nation’s Federal Emergency Management Agency to efficiently respond to Hurricane Katrina led to a serious of negative events caused by insufficient planning.
Perry, R. W., & Lindell, M. K. (2007). Disaster Response. In W. L. Waugh, & K. Tiernery, Emergency Management: Principles and Practice for Local Government (pp. 162-163). Washington D.C.: International City/County Management Association.
In order to provide for the emergency management of the city, and further in order to provide for and protect the
As the National Response Framework advises, “[if] local resources are inadequate, local authorities may seek assistance from the county emergency manager or the state” (Homeland Security, 2016, p. 29). "Upon receiving a request for assistance from a local or tribal government, state officials may,” among other things, distribute stockpiled supplies, provide technical support and resources, and reach out to private sector and NonGovernmental Organizations (Homeland Security, 2016, p. 29). Should the responder’s jurisdictional authority conduct the proper liaisons or pre incident coordination, he may well receive the support and resources he needs to survive the direct and secondary threats described by Thompson et al, as well as satisfactorily execute his
Walters (2010) explained in the wake of serious disasters, FEMA will initially deploy a cadre of disaster assistance reservists to help local officials take a first cut at establishing long-range recovery strategies and needs. For example, in the wake of Katrina, FEMA officials helped communities develop and pursue long-range recovery goals, which included helping communities track down the resources outside of FEMA’S direct control, and in Iowa City, FEMA worked with city officials on preparing grant applications, which led to a $25 million grant to aid in two recovery priorities (Walters,
Their role is to ensure that those who help in the recovery are trained to respond to any such disaster.
The fact that Sierra Leone is highly vulnerable to natural disasters is of a larger concern because they do not have the proper means of dealing with them. In more developed countries like our own for example, although we are at risk for major disasters as evident by this current hurricane season, we have the appropriate means to prepare and handle the situations before and when they occur. This reflects the government of Sierra Leone and its inability to have procedural plans in place as well as systems to help cope and assist with those needing support. This also reflects the poor infrastructure and city planning of the affected areas. While the immediate concern is getting help and relief to the areas directly affected by the disaster, another
Governors don't have too much power, but they do have some say in "the appointment of state comptrollers and pre and post audit department heads". The governor is allowed to use executive orders under the rights found in the Constitution. With this, the governor also has budgetary powers to "trigger emergency powers during natural disasters, create advisory, and address management and administrative issues" (Governor's Power). While the Governor can exercise these powers they can be limited and reviewed by the Legislative branch depending on the state. The governor has to be prepared in times when a tornado, flood, or power outage occur. The fact that the governor is limited in appointing comptrollers, and may require Legislative review shows how the system checks and balances are used and placed. To avoid the governor from having too much power.
The leadership during Hurricane Katrina was riddled with inconsistencies, unpreparedness, and lacking in the knowledge to deal with emergency management situations from the White House, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FEMA, the Governor’s Office in Louisiana and the City of New Orleans. This event emphasizes the importance of preparedness, response, recovery, communications, emergency plans, and political indifferences during pressing times.