Disaster Preparedness & Response Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Disaster Preparedness & Response - Term Paper Example These stages are effectively planned by keeping two aspects in mind, the professional and the personal activities that are involved in these four stages. In my opinion, the effect of earthquakes can be effectively minimized by using these steps. The implementation of these stages to help in earthquake destruction is mentioned below. Mitigation is the stage at which the destruction effects are tried to be completely minimized when it comes to the personal aspect. This would involve not buying property in an earthquake-prone area to minimize the disasters caused to homes. Professionally, it is the most cost-effective way to reduce the impact of hazards. Development of earthquake-proof structure in earthquake-prone areas is a kind of structural mitigation. Non-structural professional mitigation would be ensuring the property of earthquake disasters (Jane, 2007). This phase is more about planning what to do when a disaster occurs. For example, the construction of shelters to save from fl oods and hurricanes. This aspect of the emergency management phase can be implemented in the earthquake management as well by building temporary wooden one-floor shelters so that the people who are affected by the earthquake have a temporary place to live. Development of basic necessity kits can also come in a handful as in some areas, the post-earthquake situation is such that there is a huge shortage of food, water etc. The response is the help that is forwarded to the down-trodden people who have experienced the aftermath of a disaster (Damon, 2007). This help may be forwarded by an international organization, or by the people living around or the national government. On a more personal level, this can be evacuation from the earthquake hit the place and move towards a safer area in an automobile. When the immediate steps have been taken, the recovery phase starts. Recovery phase pertains to the long-term development of the area that is hit by the catastrophe (George, 2007). This involves the reconstruction of the material and property that is extensively damaged.