DISASTER MANAGEMENT

Disaster Management

Abstract

In this study we try to explore the concept of disaster management in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on planning for disaster management and its relation with loss prevention. The research also analyzes many aspects of disaster management and tries to gauge its effect on nation and economy. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for disaster and tries to describe the overall effect of disaster management planning on disaster prevention.

Introduction4

Disaster Management4

Types of Disasters5

Disaster Prevention7

Disaster Preparedness7

Disaster Relief7

Disaster Recovery8

Disaster and Society8

Disaster Management for Emergency12

References17

Introduction

One of the major threats to the safety and preservation of official records is the risk of disaster. Disasters can at best be an annoying and expensive diversion for a government agency. At worst, a disaster may impede the operations of the agency and may cause severe financial loss, embarrassment and a loss of credibility and good will. Disasters have the potential to impact negatively on staff, clients, suppliers, taxpayers, the Government and the public (Carpenter, 2000).

Counter disaster management strategies yield many benefits for records and recordkeeping systems. They are also essential for achieving adequate records management practices. Implementing risk management techniques, impact analysis, good recordkeeping practices, establishing vital records programs and prevention and preparedness plans can reduce the likelihood of disaster or minimize their impact. Business continuity planning and response and recovery planning will ensure that government agencies can react quickly to disasters, thereby increasing the chances of controlling the impact of disasters and promptly restoring resources and operations. Such actions can promote continued profitability or revenue flow and minimize costly disruptions to business services. In addition, counter disaster management planning can be a significant catalyst to improving a records management program (Rosenthal, Boin & Comfort, 2001).

Disaster Management

Disaster risk management has become the major challenge the entire world is faced with currently owing to the ever growing population, climate change, and the ever changing environment in general. Natural and man-made disasters result in economic as well as environmental losses which places a need for systematic approach to management of risks.

There are a number of definitions for 'disasters'. Some sources define them as unexpected events with destructive consequences, including small and large-scale events. Others distinguish disasters from emergencies, seeing emergencies as adverse events that require action, but not significant expenditure of effort to control, and disasters as emergency events that require resources beyond the organization's means.

Perhaps the most realistic interpretation of 'disasters' is to view them as dependent, not on the scale of damage, but on the effect that the incidents create. For example, a water leak affecting one shelf of an agency's records may only be a small-scale emergency, but can be considered a disaster if the material affected is of significant value and will result in financial loss or legal action (Pearson, & Clair, 1998). Whether damage is considered a disaster will also depend on who values that material. For example, if there were no copies kept of the material on the shelf, it is vital to the ...