Emergency management involves actions taken to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against natural and man-made disasters. Emergency management agencies, like the New York City Office of Emergency Management, exist in cities throughout the United States. Many of the same processes and tools are used throughout the country to manage emergencies.
Process of Emergency Management
In preparing for and responding to disasters, emergency managers develop plans and work with agencies in their jurisdictions to implement those plans if the need arises, usually by holding drills and exercises to train for the response. Recovery involves clearing debris and restoring essential services to a community as well as providing assistance to disaster victims. Local emergency managers work with agencies in their jurisdictions and their State and Federal counterparts coordinate the recovery process. To reduce the impacts of disasters emergency managers implement mitigation measures. This can involve installing storm shutters in government facilities as well as working with homeowners to identify ways they can protect their property from hazards. Conducting mitigation activities improves the sustainability of communities following a disaster, as less damage occurs saving taxpayers the cost of substantial reconstruction projects.
Summery of Emergency Management
In general, Emergency Management is the process of coordinating available resources to combat emergencies effectively, thereby saving lives, avoiding injury, and minimizing economic loss. Today's Emergency Management Program evolved from the old Civil Defense and Civil Preparedness programs of the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) resulted from the consolidation of five federal agencies that were dealing with different types of emergencies. Since then, many states and local jurisdictions have accepted this approach and changed the names of their organizations to include the words "emergency management."
