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Preparedness
Actions taken prior to a disaster with the intent of ensuring a better event response
- Planning
- Training and Exercises
- Logistics
- Technology infrastructure
- Agency and stakeholder coordination
- Provide information and tools to citizens
An Ounce of Preparation...
...is worth a pound of cure, right? Often disaster situations do not present themselves with substantial warning. Some events, like earthquakes or terror attacks, occur with little or no advanced warning. Other events, like hurricanes or tsunamis, may allow for some substantial amount of time (ranging from an hour or two in the case of a tsunami to several days in the case of a hurricane) to prepare for the initial impact. No matter what the type of event, there are ways we can prepare by taking advantage of geospatial capabilities.
In lesson, we will explore geospatial enabled preparedness in several ways. On this page you will contrast different scenario-based activities - one focused on large scale disasters and another on a more localized emergency. Then you will consider some of the science behind forecasting and modeling potential emergencies, and the geospatial technologies that are being used to develop the capacity ahead of time for situation awareness when disasters do strike. Finally, you will once more contrast large and small scale preparedness activities and the role of geospatial data and analysis by looking at Humanitarian and Disaster Logistics and models for improving building evacuation. So the idea is to think about preparedness as a set of activities with multiple dimensions (spatial and temporal scales) and geospatial analysis as a key tool for managing this complexity.
Scenario-based Exercises
A highly regarded method for preparing for disasters involves the use of scenarios to conduct realistic exercises to simulate a crisis situation. Using the examples below, contrast live training exercises on small-scale (such as Active Attacker Situations) with those developed by FEMA for large-scale earthquake scenarios. For disasters that provide no advanced warning, using scenarios may be the only way to really prepare in advance. We'll go in-depth on designing scenarios later on in Lesson 7, but for now, read this short article from GovTech about how GIS can help communities prepare for disasters(link is external). How effective do you think these activities would be? Could the community be engaged more actively? How do you think things have changed since the GovTech essay?
FEMA Earthquake Preparedness Scenario
FEMA has developed a wide range of training exercises to aid in disaster preparedness and response. I'd like you to consider the following materials they developed for a catastrophic earthquake in Southern California. Here is their description of this resource.
Scenario for a Catastrophic Earthquake on the Newport-Inglewood Fault
"Emergency planners use HAZUS-MH to provide realistic catastrophic planning exercises. Over the last several years, FEMA has supported the development of a suite of "priority maps" to support our Federal Response Plan (FRP) partners in preparing for, and responding and recovering from a catastrophic earthquake. A suite of ten priority maps that illustrate the region of strong ground shaking, direct and induced damage, as well as estimated social impacts were developed to provide information for FRP partners within a few hours of an earthquake event. By using the priority maps in regular planning exercises, the FRP partners will become familiar with the map information produced within a few hours of a damaging earthquake." Credit: FEMA(link is external)
Here is an example of one of the exercise's realistic maps showing casualties. Other realistic geospatial products and other material are produced and presented to participants during the course of the exercise to help prepare emergency managers for real events. When reviewing these materials, do a quick thought experiment and think about all of the different groups involved in a disaster like this. Think about the agencies and organizations involved and the level of coordination required at local, state, and federal levels. We'll consider these issues as we move on through the course.
Active Attacker Preparedness Exercises
Preparedness scenario exercises are not just undertaken for large scale, catastrophic events but are increasingly being used in response to local events. One of the clearest examples of this, unfortunately, is the increasing prevalence of active shooter or active attacker drills. These range from training for police to more detailed and realistic exercises involving first responders along with real civilians (including students and teachers) and perpetrators played by actors.
I'd like you to have a look at two example videos. The first one is a news report on a very realistic drill being conducted at a Colorado school. This video provides a pretty good behind the scenes view of how elaborate this training can be. The second item to look at is a more educational-type video produced by Penn State for Students, Faculty, and Staff to help them know what to do during an Active Attacker situation.
Warning! These videos depict simulated active shooter scenario that some people might find distressing. If you prefer not to watch the video, please reach out to the instructor for alternative media.
Video: Police Practice Active Shooting Drill at Colorado High School (8:03 minutes)
Click here for a transcript of the Police Practice Active Shooting Drill video.
Video: Run, Hide, Fight - Surviving an Active Attacker (6:42 minutes)