Running head: EMERGENCY OPERATION

Topic: Introduction to emergency operation, and types of emergencies and disasters

Order type: Essay Subject: Disaster management

Academic level: Masters Style: APA Language: English US

Pages: 3, double spaced Sources: 5

Written by https://writersperhour.com

Task Details:

Develop an emergency response plan (ERP) for a specific community which is subjected to at

least three major emergencies or disasters each year. Select a community for your Session Long

Project. What are the three types of disasters or emergencies, other than routine emergencies, that

you intend to plan for in your ERP? Briefly discuss why you selected these disasters.

EMERGENCY OPERATION

Introduction to Emergency Operation; Types of Emergencies and Disasters

Name

Institution

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EMERGENCY OPERATION

Introduction to Emergency Operation; Types of Emergencies and Disasters

Introduction

The paper will seek to identify a particular community and find out the various major

emergencies or disasters it faces. It will further focus on the operational requirements necessary

for managing the established emergencies. The selected area of study is the Atlanta, Georgia

community. Among the various disasters that the community faces or is prone to, include the

winter storms, hurricanes, and floods.

Types of Emergencies Faced by the Atlanta Community

As noted by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (2015), disaster and

emergencies entail a widespread economic, material, human or environmental impacts that

exceed the affected community’s capacity to cope up with them using its resources. The study’s

findings revealed that Atlanta is not immune from both natural and human-made disasters.

Winter Storms

The Metro-Atlanta faces bitter arctic blast, which sweeps the south from Texas State to

Carolina. According to Copeland & Rice (2015), the winter storm dumps up to four inches of

snow. The occurrence of the winter snow in the Metro-Atlanta causes devastating losses such as

the cancelation of commercial flights while others are delayed. Copeland and Rice (2015)

reported that there was a cancelation of 1,350 commercial flights nationwide while thousands

were delayed. Also, buses reduced their operations with some only operating at night. In the case 3

EMERGENCY OPERATION

of extreme and severe winter storms, power, heat and communication services are adversely

affected for days. Besides, several schools were closed since the snow continued to fall.

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EMERGENCY OPERATION

Hurricanes

The tropical systems from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean cause the hurricanes

that face Georgia community. According to the American Radio Relay League, Inc. (2002), when

this community experiences such a calamity, wind gusts over 74 mph while the torrential rain

damages Georgia’s shoreline. Besides, hurricanes cause storm surge through its direct hit that

result in a large dome of water. According to the American Radio Relay League, Inc. (2002)

report, the water dome can even exceed 50 miles wide and sweeps across the coastline where the

hurricane’s eye makes a landfall. It also brings up to 6 inches rain while forcing winds that reach

the Georgia’s mountain regions. Besides, hurricanes bring damaging tornadoes. Since the 1800s

when Georgia faced five major hurricanes,the community has experienced several of them. For

instance, in 1898, it hit Savannah, causing 179 deaths, 17 deaths in 1911, 50 deaths in 1940 and 1

death in 1947 (World Confederation for Physical Therapy, 2015).

Floods

They are another major disaster that is experienced by the community of Atlanta,

Georgia. Copeland and Rice (2015) reported that floods are the most common of all natural

disasters. They are mostly experienced after winter snow thaws, spring rains or heavy

thunderstorms. According to the National Weather Service (2014), the Metro-Atlanta

experienced a catastrophic flooding in September 2009 after a prolonged rainfall that resulted

from the ample moisture whose source was the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean and Atlanta’s

topography. Within a period of 24 hours, the rain had hit 10 to 20 inches, leading to a historic

flash flooding, which made the river basins to remain swollen for weeks. The occurrence of this

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EMERGENCY OPERATION

catastrophe significantly affected the community, as well as the economy with property damage

worth $500 million being reported in Georgia (National Weather Service, 2014). Also, the

flooding destroyed over 20,000 buildings.

Comprehensive Management of Disasters

Mitigation

To reduce the exposure to potential loss from floods, the study advocates for zoning and

building code requirements in high hazardous areas and a critical analysis of floodplain. Also, the

community of Atlanta, Georgia should be educated on measures to reduce losses in case of a

disaster.

Preparedness

The Atlanta, Georgia appreciates that it cannot eliminate its vulnerability to all hazards.

Therefore, it has authorities such as the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency

that has the necessary equipment and resources, and trained workforce involved in disaster

management.

Response

Upon the occurrence of a calamity, the necessary and quick actions are taken to save

property and lives, and also to contain the situation. This is achieved by sending an immediate

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notification to the responsible emergency management team so that it can organize for an

evacuation exercise and provide medical care to the injured victims.

Recovery

It involves the restoration of the community’s socio-economic life and infrastructure to

normal. When executing such an exercise, the concerned authorities should have mitigation as a

goal. The Atlanta, Georgia should respond by giving its community the basic human needs such

as shelter, food, and clothing. It can also bring necessary lifeline systems like power, water,

sewerage, and communication. Besides, individual societal needs such as maintaining the rule of

law, and offering crisis counseling are paramount (Federal Emergency Management Agency,

1996).

Motive for the Selection of the Disasters Discussed Above

The study purposely chose to address the winter snow, hurricane and floods as

emergencies facing the residents of Atlanta, Georgia since these catastrophes have a higher

probability of occurring because of the geographical location of Atlanta Georgia and the

topography. Therefore, it was paramount to understand them adequately so that the necessary

comprehensive emergency management practices can be introduced in the area.

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References

American Radio Relay League, Inc. (2002). Assessment of Potential Disasters in Georgia.

Retrieved July 16, 2015, from American Radio Relay League, Inc.: http://

www.gaares.org/ARESPlan/potential_disasters_in_georgia.html

Copeland, L., & Rice, D. (2015, February 25). Atlanta hunkers down as the winter storm sweeps

the South. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/story/

news/nation/2015/02/25/winter-weather-snow-ice-north-texas-carolinas/23985911/

Federal Emergency Management Agency. (1996). State and Local Guide 101: Guide for All-

Hazard Emergency Operations Planning. Owensboro, KY USA: FEMA Printing and

Publications.

National Weather Service. (2014, September 13). Atlanta Floods 5th Anniversary September

15-22, 2009. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from National Weather Service: http://

www.srh.noaa.gov/ffc/?n=atlanta_floods_anniv

World Confederation for Physical Therapy. (2015). What is disaster management? Retrieved

July 16, 2015, from World Confederation for Physical Therapy: http://www.wcpt.org/

disaster-management/what-is-disaster-management

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