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Definitions
Emergency Preparedness is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding both natural and manmade disasters. It involves mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters. - Wellesley, Massachusetts
Emergency management is the managerial function charged with creating the framework within which communities reduce vulnerability to hazards and cope with disasters. Emergency management seeks to promote safer, less vulnerable communities with the capacity to cope with hazards and disasters.
Disaster Management can be defined as the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
Creating a Framework
An Emergency Management Plan is a course of action developed to mitigate the damage of potential events that could endanger an organization's ability to function. Such a plan should include measures that provide for the safety of personnel and, if possible, property and facilities.
Disaster mitigation measures are those that eliminate or reduce the impacts and risks of hazards through proactive measures taken before an emergency or disaster occurs.
To be prepared for an emergency or disaster, we must first Plan and Prepare for Disasters. Borrowing from the definition of "Preparedness" by DHS/FEMA, it is "a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating, and taking corrective action in an effort to ensure effective coordination during incident response."
We are too familiar with the endless crises and disasters affecting Haiti. Each year, the country is hit with floods, tropical storms, hurricanes, epidemics, and other manmade disasters. Preparing now helps individuals, families, communities, and businesses recover from a disaster more quickly. In the case of Haiti, given its fragile environment, it’s a matter of time before another event happens. Therefore, we must work fast to create a framework that will help us be better prepared for the next emergency.
Lives and property are at stake. Let us begin now to create this framework. We must all do our part. The safety and security of Haiti depends on it.
How Do I Begin?
Read more about joining the effort. While you can join HaitiPlace.com for free, joining as a VIP Member helps to finance the Emergency Preparedness framework and relief efforts through the Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Want to Learn More about Emergency Management?
Check out this Wikipedia link.
