Emergency Management
In response to the Greensburg Kansas Tornado in May 2007, the primary operational focus of leader Tad Agoglia shifted from contractual Recovery work to instead responding, pro-bono, to the immediate lifesaving needs prevalent within the Response phase of devastating disasters.
There exist four recognized phases of emergency management—Mitigation, Preparedness, Response and Recovery—outlined below.
Mitigation
Considered the first phase, Mitigation attempts to prevent hazards from developing altogether, or seeks to limit the destructive impact if disasters do occur. Mitigation differs from other phases because it encompasses long-term measures for reducing or eliminating the occurrence through the identification of potential risks. Mitigative measures include engineering technical and mechanical solutions, such as the development and monitoring of levees. It also includes non-structural measures more legislative in function. At the family level, mitigative measures include the decision to build an underground storm shelter, or the purchase of insurance in the event they do occur.
Preparedness
Preparedness is the second phase, in which emergency managers develop actionable procedures for when disasters strike. New technologies allow for predictive modeling, which aids in strategic planning. Examples of preparedness include planning, predicting and implementing plans such as contra flow lanes for masse scale evacuation, development of community warning systems and training of emergency first responders. At the family level, preparedness measures include keeping emergency rations of food, water and flashlights available.
Response
The Response phase focuses upon the mobilization of emergency services such as those provided by fire fighters, law enforcement and humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross. Response includes immediate practical assistance such as food or shelter and rescue efforts. When providing volunteer relief services, most individuals are contributing time, effort and resources in the response phase. When required, search and rescue efforts are prevalent. Depending on injuries sustained by victims, the mast majority of those injured by a disaster typically die within the first 72-hours of the storm’s impact. At the family level, those living in Red Cross shelters, after being evacuated by emergency personnel, best exemplify the practical services offered in the response phase.
Recovery
The Recovery phase starts after the immediate threat to human life has subsided. The aim of this fourth and final stage is the complete restoration of the affected area—bringing it back to its previous state. It differs from the response phase in its focus; recovery efforts are concerned with issues and decisions that must be made after immediate needs are addressed. Recovery efforts are primarily concerned with actions that involve rebuilding destroyed property, reemployment, and the repair of the essential infrastructure. At the family level, the recovery phase includes working to rebuild or restore a destroyed home or business.