An ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 45001:2018 Certified Training Institute
What is Disaster Management? This question strikes us very often. Disaster management refers to the measures taken for the safety of human lives and the protection of property and the environment from natural or human-induced disasters.
Disasters are the consequences of natural or human-induced hazards. We cannot prevent the occurrence of these hazards but we can reduce their harmful effects through different activities.
The disturbances caused over a short period or a long period of time affect the functioning of a community and a society. It involves widespread human, material, the economic, or environmental loss that exceeds the ability of the affected society or community to cope and recover using its own available resources. The widespread chaos and destruction give rise to the need for Disaster Management.
A dangerous situation or event, that has the potential to cause harm, and affect human lives in terms of injury or loss of life, damage to the environment and of property.
A Disaster and Hazard may sound similar but let us understand that, a hazard occurring in a place where there is no human settlement, does not affect any community or society or cause damage to human lives, property. or environment.
But if any kind of hazard hits a community causing damage to lives, property, and the environment becomes a Disaster. There are natural disasters and disasters which is human-induced. Disasters can be devastating but their effects can be reduced with proper planning and preparedness before a disaster hits the place or community.
Mitigation – The measures taken before disaster strikes is termed Mitigation. Sustained actions taken to prevent or reduce the long-term causes, impact, and consequences (loss of life and property) of a disaster known as Mitigation.
Mitigation is a long continuing process that is integrated with each of the other phases (preparedness, Response, and Recovery).
Preparedness- The actions taken before a disaster and to prepare to respond is termed as Preparedness. It includes planning, training, and awareness activities/educational activities.
Preparedness is important because any disaster cannot be mitigated completely, so taking certain actions before the incident, can help reduce the harmful consequences of the disaster.
Response- Response phase occurs during or after the disaster as an immediate action or relief like-
Recovery– The recovery phase is the next step after the Response phase because recovery activities like rebuilding and restoration activities help in bringing back the community to normalcy.
Provides specific information on situations having the potential for causing injury to life and/or damage to property and/or the environment due to a hazardous materials spill or release.
Identifying the exposed areas, individuals who may be subject to injury or death from certain specific hazardous materials, and what facilities, property, or environment may be susceptible to damage, and then make an execution plan to provide support and relief materials. Vulnerability analysis has its importance because it helps in analyzing the effects caused by a disaster.
Disaster Management activities are very important in order to reduce the damage caused by the disaster. Therefore, everyone from the community should come forward and contribute to spreading awareness and prepare to conduct life-saving drills to be followed during the event of a disaster.
