Effective Communication in Disaster Management
Local, State, and Federal Partnerships: Natural/Accidental Disasters
1.National Response Framework. Review areas specifically pertinent to local, state, and federal
government leaders and emergency management practitioners (pp. 11-19).
A. Search and Rescue Task Force: Outline a search and rescue plan of operation. Explain the preferred
kinds of communication employed in a disaster scenario. Cite the specific place(s) in the National
Response Framework document where you got your search-and-rescue information.
Effective Communication in Disaster Management
In an emergence of a disaster, the concept of preparedness planning is vital for the parties
involved in the disaster management. During the actual emergency, fast and effective actions are
required, which majorly depend on having super plans before the disaster strikes. If appropriate
action is not put in place and the response is delayed, a lot of lives are needlessly lost. Therefore
during the preparation actions, communication is the vital gadget in the preliminary stages of
tackling an emergency. The paper discusses the effective kinds of communication during a
disaster and outlines the people responsible.
Through direct coordination, agencies clearly divide responsibilities for different plans
and operations. Besides the Red Cross, Red Crescent, and other agencies such as committees and
ministries for emergencies, fire bridges, local authorities, and militia divisions are major
components in relaying information. Planning communication networks to be used for
dissemination of emergency information is a source of disaster management (Krolik, 2013).
The following are ways to create awareness to the public through communication: 1)
establishment of innumerable communication mediums (cell phones, patrol car, oral
communication, media and, loudspeakers; ii) putting communication parameters (audible
loudspeakers and patrol car speakers, and timing of information dissemination); iii) putting of
communication gadgets and shelters; iv) creating safest evacuation route parameters such as
evacuation by foot; and v) establishing a relationship between communication receipt-time,
behavior of the residents and impact of the disaster.
Krolik (2013) posits that the mediums above act as the government mouthpiece to create
awareness among its citizens on some critical issues. The citizens should be informed of the
disaster, its cause, and effects it has on the environment. The people should be informed when to
visit such areas in a manner that they do not live in apprehension (Krolik, 2013). Notably, the
communication gadgets and the way the communication is relayed is the primary factor in
managing disaster.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT 3
Reference
Krolik, M. (2013). Exploring a rights-based approach to disaster management. Australian
Journal Of Emergency Management, The,28(4), 44.
