Disaster Response Contingency Planning Inherent within disaster management is developing response, and an essential element of response is contingenc

Disaster Response Contingency Planning

Inherent within disaster management is developing response, and an essential element of response is contingency planning. Generally, contingency planning is defined as "an anticipatory emergency preparation to be followed in an anticipated or eventual disaster, based on risk assessment, availability of human and material resources, community preparedness, local and international response capability, etc". That definition sets the framework as we put on our thinking hats on. As we brace ourselves for the oncoming monsoon rains and the potential for floods again, the question at the back of our minds will be - how do we set up for the worst? Jointly and severally, all the stakeholders involved with disaster management need to come up with a contingency plan on how to deal with and minimize the risks of these natural disasters to lives and properties.

Contingency planning sessions could construct mitigating measures to control damage on development through such natural calamities. Lessons learned in preceding disaster response operations could provide the basic guidelines in ensuring present contingency plans are on the desirable track. Following completion of the contingency plan, as soon as disaster strikes, the event triggers operation of the contingency plan itself which has been formulated with agreed upon common strategy. (i) Over the years, there has been a paradigm shift in disaster management from disaster response to disaster risk reduction, reflected in the proactive action prior to the arrival of the calamity. In developing contingency plans, worst case scenarios are worked on to meet needs for planning ahead for calamity risk reduction.

Red Cross and Red Crescent societies through their mandate and humanitarian assistance principles are periodically drawn into managing severe emergencies including natural disasters. In ensuring organizational readiness and that adequate arrangements are made in anticipation of an emergency, the common management tool comprise response and contingency planning. Well thought out planning could greatly assist in ensuring rapid and effective delivery of resource needs of whatever disasters wherever that may be.


In order to realize a satisfactory level of preparedness for timely and effective response to a natural disaster, disaster response plan entails identifying disaster risks, vulnerabilities, impact, organizational resources and capacities. It further involves determining roles and responsibilities, and formulating policies and procedures and planning activities. This is at the broader perspective and it allows identifying gaps and needs. Contingency planning focus more on addressing the responses and actions geared for specific disaster scenarios. (ii)


Since contingency planning deals with individual specific events which are known risks at the local, national or regional levels, formulation necessitate the involvement of stakeholders at the associated levels. Contingency plans mesh well with operations management in terms of handling anticipated resource requirements, available resources, and shortfalls or gaps.

With extreme weather disasters becoming the emerging feature this decade, and the horrific experience of Typhoon Morakot (Philippines, Taiwan) and the Istanbul flash floods still fresh in our minds, any flood risks alert should not be taken with a pinch of salt. Preparedness warrants that expecting the worst i.E. Flood prone areas expected to have higher that normal risk of flooding in different places and at greater magnitude than previous experience. Scenarios developed for the possible natural disaster will indicate the potential impact of such event. Flooding, for instance, often destroys houses and other properties resulting in the displacement of the flood affected population. Hence contingency planning could anticipate both food and non-food relief provision to alleviate human suffering resulting from the displacements. Those displaced suffer loss of household belongings and assets to the floods. Contingency plans look into emergency shelter requirements with the objective of protecting those affected from avoidable risks and vulnerabilities from the elements.(iv)

References:

(i) PDCC Kalinga approves disaster contingency plan. 12 Jun 2009. Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
(ii) International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies. Contingency Planning & Disaster Response Planning.
(iii) Flood Contingency Plan for 2007 Main Rainy Season in Ethiopia. August 2007. Addis Ababa.

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Inherent within disaster management is developing response, and an essential element of response is contingency planning. Generally, contingency planning is defined as "an anticipatory emergency preparation to be followed in an anticipated or eventual disaster, based on risk assessment, availability of human and material resources, community preparedness, local and international response capability, etc". That definition sets the framework as we put on our thinking hats on. As we brace ourselves for the oncoming monsoon rains and the potential for floods again, the question at the back of our minds will be - how do we set up for the worst? Jointly and severally, all the stakeholders involved with disaster management need to come up with a contingency plan on how to deal with and minimize the risks of these natural disasters to lives and properties.

Contingency planning sessions could construct mitigating measures to control damage on development through such natural calamities. Lessons learned in preceding disaster response operations could provide the basic guidelines in ensuring present contingency plans are on the desirable track. Following completion of the contingency plan, as soon as disaster strikes, the event triggers operation of the contingency plan itself which has been formulated with agreed upon common strategy. (i) Over the years, there has been a paradigm shift in disaster management from disaster response to disaster risk reduction, reflected in the proactive action prior to the arrival of the calamity. In developing contingency plans, worst case scenarios are worked on to meet needs for planning ahead for calamity risk reduction.

Red Cross and Red Crescent societies through their mandate and humanitarian assistance principles are periodically drawn into managing severe emergencies including natural disasters. In ensuring organizational readiness and that adequate arrangements are made in anticipation of an emergency, the common management tool comprise response and contingency planning. Well thought out planning could greatly assist in ensuring rapid and effective delivery of resource needs of whatever disasters wherever that may be.


In order to realize a satisfactory level of preparedness for timely and effective response to a natural disaster, disaster response plan entails identifying disaster risks, vulnerabilities, impact, organizational resources and capacities. It further involves determining roles and responsibilities, and formulating policies and procedures and planning activities. This is at the broader perspective and it allows identifying gaps and needs. Contingency planning focus more on addressing the responses and actions geared for specific disaster scenarios. (ii)


Since contingency planning deals with individual specific events which are known risks at the local, national or regional levels, formulation necessitate the involvement of stakeholders at the associated levels. Contingency plans mesh well with operations management in terms of handling anticipated resource requirements, available resources, and shortfalls or gaps.

With extreme weather disasters becoming the emerging feature this decade, and the horrific experience of Typhoon Morakot (Philippines, Taiwan) and the Istanbul flash floods still fresh in our minds, any flood risks alert should not be taken with a pinch of salt. Preparedness warrants that expecting the worst i.E. Flood prone areas expected to have higher that normal risk of flooding in different places and at greater magnitude than previous experience. Scenarios developed for the possible natural disaster will indicate the potential impact of such event. Flooding, for instance, often destroys houses and other properties resulting in the displacement of the flood affected population. Hence contingency planning could anticipate both food and non-food relief provision to alleviate human suffering resulting from the displacements. Those displaced suffer loss of household belongings and assets to the floods. Contingency plans look into emergency shelter requirements with the objective of protecting those affected from avoidable risks and vulnerabilities from the elements.(iv)

References:

(i) PDCC Kalinga approves disaster contingency plan. 12 Jun 2009. Philippine Information Agency (PIA)
(ii) International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies. Contingency Planning & Disaster Response Planning.
(iii) Flood Contingency Plan for 2007 Main Rainy Season in Ethiopia. August 2007. Addis Ababa.

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Disaster Preparedness Tactics

Disaster Preparedness Tactics

Disasters can happen anywhere and anytime around the world: fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and tornado's are some of the most feared natural disasters. They have taken billions of lives till date and we still live with an impression that we cannot be affected by them.

If a disaster occurs in your community, local agencies and disaster-relief groups are there for help. However, emergency personnel may not be available immediately. They may take several hours, to several days to reach. It's your preparedness that can decide your chances of survival in such situations. Your emergency preparedness will be the key to you and your family's safety and survival.

Disaster preparedness is an essential element for you and your family's well-being. A little time spent today can ensure the well being of you and your loved once in the time of disasters.

Having essential survival plans and supplies like a family communication plan and emergency kits can provide the necessary resources to help you and your family get through a lot of difficult situations that may come up unforeseen, a bad storm, fires, earthquake being a few of them.

Survival supplies and preparation:-

1. Establish a communication plan: - Phones have become the key communication equipment today. Almost all our communication that happens when we are not face to face with a person happens on phones. Have you ever given a though as to how will you communicate with you loved once if phones are out of service. Now let's add a fact to this situation. During a natural or man made calamity or disaster phones are bound to go out of service.

Does your family know what to do if you can't contact one another by phone? Where would you gather in an emergency? We should all have a plan that is easy enough for even our youngest children to remember and follow.

As a matter of fact the U. S. government has in force a plan that in the event of another terrorist attack, EVERYONE's ability to use cell phones, blackberries, etc., will immediately be cut-off, as this is the preferred communication source used by terrorists and is often the way that their bombs are detonated. How will you communicate with your loved ones in the event you cannot speak to each other?

Solution is a clear cut and well defined plan that should be in place before hand.

2. Evacuation Plans: - In cases where evacuations become necessary, the local officials provide information through media and other methods like sirens and telephonic calls. There may be situations under which you and your family may feel threatened and evacuations may become necessary to avoid these situations.

Always keep a tank full of gas in your car if there seems like a possibility of evacuation. Gas may not be available or there may be a shortage of time to get it under such circumstances. Always keep your survival supplies handy and at a place where you and your family members can locate it easily. We will cover the items that should be a part of your survival supplies in our later posts.


For more information about disaster preparedness plans please visit at: http://www.survivalsupplies4u.wordpress.com

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Earthquake Preparedness and Kits

Earthquake Preparedness and Kits

Earthquake preparedness plans and kits can save your life when you least expect it. Since there is no way of predicting when an earthquake will strike, having earthquake emergency kits handy can spell the difference between life and death. Remember that in times of calamities and disasters, paramedics, police, firefighters, and other first responders cannot always arrive when you needed them so you have to be responsible for the safety and survival of yourself and your family until help arrives.

The staples of every earthquake preparedness and kits are first aid supplies, medicines, and several gallons of drinking water and enough food for your whole family that will last for at least three days. You should also include gadgets and tools such as battery operated lights and lamps, transistor radio, and mobile phone or other types of communication device that will help you survive even when there is no electricity and gas. Some people even recommend buying furniture-fastening straps, safety adhesive fasteners, and other implements that can keep your furniture, drawers, cupboards and other fixtures from falling off. Cutting tools and fire extinguishers must also be within easy reach so that you can cut off water and gas pipes and extinguish fire when it happens after the earthquake.

In order to increase survival rate, each member of your family should know where to get your earthquake preparedness supplies and know what to do when an earthquake strikes. Even if you have dozens of earthquake emergency kits scattered in your house, if you do not have any idea how to protect yourself from falling objects and other things that can harm you during and after the quake, your kits will be of little use. So you have to remember to discuss earthquake survival with your family so that they will know what to do wherever they may be. Also, since nobody can be sure what time an earthquake will hit, it is advisable to designate a meeting place for your family in case it is no longer safe to stay in your home.

Disastrous seismic activities are quite rare, but your earthquake preparedness gear can also be used during other emergency and disaster situations. Just make sure that you immediately replenish your supplies after using them for other purposes. Also, do remember to check your kits every six to twelve months to replace stored water, canned goods and other food items, and medicines.

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