For the Instructor
These student materials
complement the
Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society
Instructor Materials.
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Student Version
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Initial Publication Date: December 8, 2016
Preparedness
The goal of the preparedness stage of the disaster management cycle is to enhance peoples' capacity to respond to natural hazards and recover from disaster. The basis of preparedness is planning, whether that planning takes place at the household, local, state, national, or international level. Thus, policies from local to international scales that guide sound hazard and disaster planning are essential.
Activate Your Learning
This activity will not be graded, but the Module Summative Assessment requires you to have the skills and knowledge it applies.
Think of at least one emergency plan responsibility you would assign at the individual/household level, the local level, the national level, and the international level for a major coastal disaster, and to what person or party you would assign it.
Question 1 - Essay
What responsibility would you assign at the individual/household level and who would you assign it to?
ANSWER:
Ensuring that flashlights, batteries, fresh water are available would be the responsibility of the head(s) of household or another responsible adult. Ensuring that storm shutters are present and that other windproofing measures are taken would be the responsibility of the homeowner. Ensuring that the family has a plan in case a hazard strikes is the responsibility of the head(s) of household. Holding appropriate insurance on the home is also the responsibility of the homeowner(s).
Question 2 - Essay
What responsibility would you assign at the local level and who would you assign it to?
ANSWER:
Local governments are generally responsible for many types of zoning issues as well as many issues related to first responders and emergency planning. They are also well-equipped to conduct awareness and preparedness outreach to local residents, particularly those who might not be reached by a more broad-based campaign.
Question 3 - Essay
What responsibility would you assign at the national level and who would you assign it to?
ANSWER:
National governments are generally responsible for responding to major disasters in developed countries. They have the ability to activate military and civilian relief efforts at a scale that is not possible for local jurisdictions. They are also well-suited to coordinate in disasters that cross jurisdictional boundaries. They are able to set standards for outreach, preparedness, and awareness that can be implemented by local governments.
Question 4 - Essay
What responsibility would you assign at the international level and who would you assign it to?
ANSWER:
Response and recovery efforts in less-developed countries almost always require international response efforts due to the lack of adequate resources at the local and national levels. Even in developed countries, other countries may be able to assist with specialized expertise or resources that are more readily available in those countries. International bodies can also provide suggested guidelines for outreach, preparedness, awareness, and so on that can serve as a framework for the national policies mentioned above.