So, when should adequate or proper action be taken to act on the impact of
impending disasters?
Rapid action on a fire is a successful operation. It is important to know about the
fire, as soon as possible. New information technology enables real time data
processing, such that Japan can, after an earthquake, very quickly determine the
expected height of sea waves of a potential tsunami. This information is given by TV
channels less than 5 min after an earthquake.
How much time is required and/or available for responding to a request for
action? In an airplane, only a few seconds may be available, on land, a few minutes
may be required to reach a fire sight or in the case of a drought, a few months. It is
difficult to bring food overnight, except locally. One classical and effective way to
decrease response time is to minimise distance – many companies have several
branch offices spread over the region they serve, just as fire stations are located in
several towns and main villages, either to act locally or to provide reinforcement
action in other nearby locations.
12.9.3 Crisis Management Tools
During the last decades, there has been considerable development on the media
network, so that communication by the concerned institutions can and should be
very effective. Several issues may be addressed, such as:
• Emergency Plans
• Media management of disasters
• Risk perception by decision makers during the crisis.
The purpose of a National Disaster Committee is to hold meeting(s) prior to any
impending hazard or disaster, before and after any emergencies. Usually, this
committee will have standing general guidelines (Emergency Plan) for its stakeholders and examines them for each concerned institution or stakeholder group.
The above does not preclude each stakeholder from having its own cyclone or
disaster committee with its own set of standing guidelines. For example, the Central
Water Authority should ensure that all fuel tanks are filled for its standby generators
(near boreholes and pumping stations), which should also be in working order.
It is judicious that all emergency plans be constantly under review. If plans are
established with all stakeholders, they should work better. It is important to understand that all stakeholders, in this context, means the population, not only institutions. Airplane passengers will recall that this is precisely what is proposed to them
before or during takeoff! Dissemination of simulation exercises (such as fire drills),
through brochures, talks, national television, will ensure that the population understand the risks involved, the precautions to be considered and the other guidelines to
be followed during the crisis.
By definition, during a crisis or disaster, the unexpected happens, with possibilities that have not been considered earlier. When this occurs, people need to use their
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12 Disaster Recovery and Management
impending disasters?
Rapid action on a fire is a successful operation. It is important to know about the
fire, as soon as possible. New information technology enables real time data
processing, such that Japan can, after an earthquake, very quickly determine the
expected height of sea waves of a potential tsunami. This information is given by TV
channels less than 5 min after an earthquake.
How much time is required and/or available for responding to a request for
action? In an airplane, only a few seconds may be available, on land, a few minutes
may be required to reach a fire sight or in the case of a drought, a few months. It is
difficult to bring food overnight, except locally. One classical and effective way to
decrease response time is to minimise distance – many companies have several
branch offices spread over the region they serve, just as fire stations are located in
several towns and main villages, either to act locally or to provide reinforcement
action in other nearby locations.
12.9.3 Crisis Management Tools
During the last decades, there has been considerable development on the media
network, so that communication by the concerned institutions can and should be
very effective. Several issues may be addressed, such as:
• Emergency Plans
• Media management of disasters
• Risk perception by decision makers during the crisis.
The purpose of a National Disaster Committee is to hold meeting(s) prior to any
impending hazard or disaster, before and after any emergencies. Usually, this
committee will have standing general guidelines (Emergency Plan) for its stakeholders and examines them for each concerned institution or stakeholder group.
The above does not preclude each stakeholder from having its own cyclone or
disaster committee with its own set of standing guidelines. For example, the Central
Water Authority should ensure that all fuel tanks are filled for its standby generators
(near boreholes and pumping stations), which should also be in working order.
It is judicious that all emergency plans be constantly under review. If plans are
established with all stakeholders, they should work better. It is important to understand that all stakeholders, in this context, means the population, not only institutions. Airplane passengers will recall that this is precisely what is proposed to them
before or during takeoff! Dissemination of simulation exercises (such as fire drills),
through brochures, talks, national television, will ensure that the population understand the risks involved, the precautions to be considered and the other guidelines to
be followed during the crisis.
By definition, during a crisis or disaster, the unexpected happens, with possibilities that have not been considered earlier. When this occurs, people need to use their
348
12 Disaster Recovery and Management