FEMA-1 DB3 Emergency

INTRODUCTION

FEMA is an American agency created in 1978 and implemented in 1979 as an agency of the Homeland security department with an aim of averting and curbing both natural and human made disasters that face the country internally as well as externally including terrorism. It was formed to ensure that Americans are disaster prepared in prevention and positive response in case it happens. It forms a network that coordinates disaster management within all states as a single unit.

What is the mission of FEMA?

Primarily in accordance to Grunwald M. and Susan B. (2005), the purpose of FEMA is to coordinate all the states in terms of curbing and averting impending and preplanned threats and disasters to the United States whether natural, man-made or terrorism. The special agency looks into coordinating all the states as a single unit and to work in cohesion. The motto of this agency is “A NATION WELL PREPARED”. This creates a mission and emphasis for the government to create a nation that is well prepared to defend any disaster and how to respond to these emergency situations effectively.

I personally feel that this mission statement and motto are effective in preparing Americans in dealing with emergency situations. During the 911 attacks on the twin towers, the state sorry to say was not well prepared in handling such a situation and hence changing the motto to emphasize on preparedness is very crucial. Each and every department in our country needs to be trained on how to deal with emergency situations as well as the government investing properly in disaster preparedness as well as intense American intelligence to forewarn on such events. Grunwald M. and Susan B. (2005) adds that the fundamental role of the agency is to prevent such calamities from happening and if they do, a system of rebuilding and reinstating the state to its prior state is of paramount importance.

How does the state fulfill the role of preparedness?

The first role that the government has done according to Woolley and Lynn, (2005), is to train highly specialized personnel on various disaster management techniques and then redistribute them in each and every state. The experts help in rebuilding infrastructure and curbing disaster scenes from deteriorating into managing them effectively. Secondly, the agency has funds that it offers loans to the public in case of rebuilding the destroyed property or infrastructure at very low interest rates. A system to compensate the injured parties in case of a disaster is another effort made by the agency to control a disaster struck situation in the United States soil. For example, during the frequent fire disasters of Portsmouth city, the government compensated them as well as remitting tariffs on goods that were imported.

How effective are the roles of FEMA in emergency management?

The reorganization of the Department of Homeland security has seen some weaknesses and delay in effecting the intelligence and disaster management policies due to poor coordination between the DHS and FEMA. This for instance as suggested by Woolley and Lynn, (2005), led to the successful attacks of the 911 since there was poor preparedness and coordination between the intelligence system of the government and the response by FEMA in curbing the situation. Another reason is incompetent leadership of its top leaders for example Michael D. Brown who was believed to have insufficient competence in the field of disaster management but whom I believe was excellent in coordinating the two agencies as a unit.

Most Important responsibility held by FEMA

The most crucial responsibility held by the agency is intelligence system. Experts such as Murry, Justin. (2006) think that it is more important to prevent a disaster or even avert it than responding to it. FEMA in coordination with DHS should ensure that it intelligence to warn the government prior before a disaster strikes. Secondly, the training of personnel on various disaster management techniques and response is very crucial since some disasters are natural and cannot be evaded but they can be controlled. Hence the government have these as the most crucial roles including equipping each state with proper personnel and equipment ready at all times.

Most important groups of first responders in emergency response.

Murry, Justin. (2006) depicts that we have a number of very important groups that have to work hand in hand in case of a disaster and they include, national disaster medical personnel, the search and rescue team, medical assistance team and finally the emergency response support team. These are the most important teams that when they work cohesively, a disaster is easily manageable. Taking a deep insight, I would say that the most important of them all is the rescue team since without the rescue happening first, there will be no need for a medical personnel and of course the rescue team has a well trained personnel on first aid.

CONCLUSION

The United States has seriously invested in the disaster management and control. This is to ensure that its citizens have the best care and response in case of a disaster. The aim is to save as many lives as possible, reinstate affected people to their original status and rebuild affected areas.

REFERENCES

Grunwald M. and Susan B. (2005) Washington Post Staff Writers

Woolley and Lynn, (2005), FEMA – Disaster of an Agency

Murry, Justin. (2006). Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Legislation for Disaster Assistance