Four Stages Of Disaster Management

Disaster management is about guiding risks in a community due to a disaster. Each individual and organization has a part to play in disaster management, which can be described in four stages: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery (Nies and McEwen, 2015). The prevention stage is referred to as the non-disaster stage. At this stage the assessment of a risk for a potential disaster occurs, followed by team planning, and mock codes, such as tornado drills (Nies & McEwen, 2015). In the prevention stage the local government is responsible for preparing the community and having a disaster plan in place for the residents, and prevention activities should be happening at all times. Additionally, each family should have their own plans that

The response stage begins after a disaster has occurred requiring assistance and interventions (Nies & McEwen, 2015). The level of the response stage is determined by the amount of resources required. At this time, the community’s plan would be incorporated (Nies & McEwen, 2015). The plan should describe if individuals should shelter in place, evacuate, search and rescue, and should include a staging area (Nies & McEwen, 2015). The staging area would allow disaster responders to come together and carry out further plans and decisions (Nies & McEwen, 2015). During this stage, the local government, including the fire, police, and ambulance services, would determine the activities of responders. However, if the disaster astounds the local government, the State’s Department and The Office of Emergency Management will aid (Nies & McEwen,

The phases of community response to a disaster include the heroic phase, honeymoon phase, disillusionment phase, and reconstruction phase (Nies & McEwen, 2015). The heroic phase occurs right after the disaster, when heroic actions are taken to help people recover from and survive a disaster (Nies & McEwen, 2015). George can help his community in the heroic phase by providing immediate relief when available and informing the community how they can get help, where and what resources are available. The following phase, the honeymoon phase is when people come together and discuss what they experienced, also begin to problem solve (Nies & McEwen, 2015). This would be a great time for George to recruit volunteers to help with the clean up effort, or inform non-locals of the needs in the community. The next phase is the disillusionment phase, in which people begin getting upset with lack of progress or delays, and may result in depression due to the disaster they have experienced (Nies & McEwen, 2015). George can assist his community by communicating to groups why there are delays to decrease the anger and feelings of isolation. He could also direct individuals to areas where they can receive assistance, and informing the less affected individuals to understand the needs of those directed affected. Finally, the last is the reconstruction phase. This happens when rebuilding is occurring and normal life is returning for individuals (Nies & McEwen, 2015). This would be a good