Emergency Management for Everyone: Always Prepare for the Worst

Disasters seem to be everywhere recently, setting both the news media and the blogosphere abuzz: fires, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, terrorism and nuclear emergencies. The recent natural disasters in Japan, Haiti and Indonesia have turned a spotlight on emergency preparedness as the people of those ravaged areas struggle to recover. A recent Newsweek article included a strong call to action for emergency preparation in the U.S. after the Japan earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear crisis revealed a clear vulnerability in emergency management. Professionals agree that education is the best, and most critical, step in emergency preparedness.

Dealing with disaster: Working on the frontline & behind the scenes

In 2001, an earthquake struck Gujarat, India's second largest industrial area and caused over $3 billion in damage, according to estimates from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake spawned several massive tsunamis that ravaged 14 countries and cost the lives of over 230,000 people. Studies from the Inter-American Development Bank show reconstruction costs in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake could reach $14 billion. The 2011 earthquakes that occurred off the coast of Japan and subsequent tsunami may cost Japan's government over $300 billion, reports Japan's deputy finance minister.
These major disasters traditionally ignite a global response, from individual donations to military presence, and dominate the news cycle. Yet, long after the reporters leave and the Twitter feeds peter out, emergency management professionals remain busy at work. Individuals working in the field don't just address national or global disasters. In fact, they more commonly work at the local and state levels.

The emergency management specialist

An interdisciplinary field, emergency management revolves around strategic organization, management and training. Emergency management specialists may be involved with any number of disaster preparedness and crisis response activities, including the following:

1. Creating disaster preparedness educational material
2. Conducting disaster preparedness training
3. Coordinating disaster or crisis response activities
4. Developing emergency plans for natural disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, floods), wartime events, technological crises (hazardous materials leaks, nuclear power plant emergencies) and hostage situations

According to nationwide data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, emergency management specialists earned a median annual income of nearly $52,600 in 2009. Top employers in the field include federal and state government agencies, relief services organizations and hospitals.

Projected to be one of the country's best jobs in 2011

From the Department of Homeland Security to the Red Cross, the Citizen Corps to the United Nations, numerous government, private and public sector and nonprofit agencies and organizations work tirelessly in the field of emergency management. With the US News & World Report listed emergency management specialist as one of the "50 Best Jobs of 2011," and the BLS projecting 22 percent job growth between 2008 and 2018, pursuing a degree in emergency management can be a great choice for those looking to make a difference.

Preparing for disaster, the amateur version

On the individual level, there are steps that everyone can take to be prepared for an emergency. In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security launched the Ready campaign, aimed at encouraging families to develop emergency plans in case of disaster--whether manmade or natural. Yet a 2009 survey from the American Red Cross revealed that while 89 percent of those surveyed feel it is important to prepare and plan for potential disasters, only 57 percent had started to put a plan in place. Zogby International conducted a 2010 poll on public safety and discovered that 47% of those polled admitted they don't have a plan to cope with an emergency.
The Ready campaign recommends that every individual and family create an emergency kit and develop a plan for dealing with disasters.

The emergency kit: 10 items every household kit should include

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, emergency kits should have six basics: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and sanitation supplies, tools and special items. Here is a breakdown of the 10 items every emergency kit should include.

1. Water. One gallon per person per day (which should last three to five days).
2. Food. At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
3. First aid supplies. Make sure the kit is fully stocked with items such as sterile gloves, antibiotic ointment, aspirin, antacids, adhesive bandages, burn ointment, thermometer, eye wash solution, cleansing agents, prescribed medical supplies and prescription medications.
4. Flashlight. Be sure to have extra batteries on hand as well.
5. Clothes. Pack at least one change of clothing and footwear per individual in the emergency kit. Examples include long pants, long sleeve shirt, jacket, gloves, hat and scarf, socks, sunglasses, thermal underwear, and shoes or boots.
6. Blankets. Emergency thermal blankets are easy to pack and, in many instances, can be used for emergency shelter.
7. Sanitation & personal supplies. Items include soap, toilet paper, personal hygiene supplies, feminine supplies, disinfectant, plastic garbage bags, and household chlorine bleach.
8. Tools & utilities. Examples include a battery operated radio, small fire extinguisher, compass, waterproof matches, signal flare, pliers, hammer, plastic plates, cups and utensils, wrench, utility knife and non-electric can opener.
9. Cell phone & chargers. Pay-as-you go cell phones and backup chargers are important items to include in your emergency kit.
10. Special needs items. The final items on the list include preparing items for family members with special needs, such as an infant or toddler, or an elderly or disabled individual. Items may include diapers, formula, hearing aid batteries, or prescription drugs.

Important documents. In addition to the core necessities of the kit, families may also want to gather copies of important documents such as photo IDs, bank account numbers, insurance policies, passports, birth and marriage certificates, credit cards, important phone numbers and an inventory of household goods in a secure, waterproof container.
Pets. It is also important to prepare a plan for dealing with family pets during a crisis, according to Ready.gov. Recommended steps include assembling an emergency kit for pets and creating a buddy system to care for your pets during a disaster.

Emergency planning: 4 tips to get started

Because a disaster can strike at any moment, creating a plan to deal with various scenarios is important. According to Ready.gov, these four tips can get a plan started.

1. Choose an out-of-town contact. An out-of-town contact should be used in an emergency if family members are separated. This allows individuals to report their current situation and foster communication among family members.
2. Use alert services. Today, numerous communities throughout the country have alert systems that send email and text message updates and warnings about local emergencies, inclement weather, road closings and more.
3. Decide on staying or going. Depending on the nature and severity of the disaster or emergency, families and individuals should decide whether to stay where they are or evacuate. Both possibilities should be included in emergency planning.
4. Have an emergency contact. In addition to the out-of-town contact, make sure each family member knows the phone number for the designated emergency contact. Program the number as "In Case of Emergency" into the cell phone as many first responders check cell phones for contact information when an accident occurs.