ESSAY NATURAL DISASTER

-MOHAMAD AIMAN SYAFIQ B KAMARUDIN  

-17558

-CIVIL ENGINEERING

NATURAL DISASTER

Debris is scattered for miles, houses are unrecognizable, tress are bent like wet noodles, and vehicles have been thrown like baseballs. This would be an aftermath of a natural disaster. Natural disasters come in many forms such as earthquakes, tornados, floods, blizzards, fires, and volcanic eruptions, just to name a few. Every type of disaster is not subjected to one specific area (Hess and Wrobleski 2003). Which means that people in certain areas only have to prepare for those disaster that are likely to transpire in their region.

Preparation now days use communication and technology. New advances in communications make it easier to share and expand information. While the technological advances have increased our opportunities to share information as well (Department of Homeland Security2004). The responses to natural disasters have been to invest in early warning systems that tend to protect lives and properties (FEMA, Disasters 2000). People should manage natural disasters by bringing new emphasis to research, preparedness, response, and recovery. Agencies and systems have researched natural disasters for years. Scientists now are developing more accurate methods of warning (FEMA, Disasters 2000).

Research, planning, response, and recovery all have a common goal. Though through advances of technology and communications it is highly possible to manage the stages of a disaster ( Department of Homeland Security 2004). The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) is responsible for developing and maintaining the disaster response plans (Department of Homeland Security 2004). The goal is to save lives and properties.

 Evaluating the specific resources that are needed is the first step to take during the emergency (Hess and Wrobleski 2003). Based on the lessons learned from the mistakes, modifications to the stages should be made. With the expansions of communications and technologies, warnings are more likely to occur (Department of Homeland Security 2004). This data also supports the claims made for post-emergency assistance. Add to those extreme effects with the overwhelming number of injured, dead, or homeless after the disaster, and panic will be inevitable (Hess and Wrobleski 2003).

The final phase of an emergency situation involves damage assessment, continued relief, and learning opportunities. No one person can make the decision whether things are back to "normal" for the communities (Hess and Wrobleski 2003). The levels of the emergency should also be identified during the preparedness planning. This breakdown alone is enough to strike a panic in that region. Assess the situations and inform the public of the locations of the emergency relief distribution centers (Hess and Wrobleski 2003). Several departments and agencies assist in emergency preparedness.