The Psychology of Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation
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The Nemesis of Emergency Management: Apathy & Denial
Comment | Tim Spencer | 22 January, 2009
Though history has thought us repeatedly and continuously that bad things always eventually happen, as a whole, political policy makers and the general public are in a continuous state of denial evidenced by an apathetic view of planning, mitigation and education efforts. This is not a new problem nor is it a problem with a "one size fits all fix". The approach that I have learned that works the for me is outlined below, but keep in mind that every governmental body is different:
Discover
what your employers hold nearest and dearest, whether
it be
continuity of government, preservation of assets, the maintenance of
jurisdictional authority, etc. Upon deciding what the objectives and
desires of your employer/elected officials are, tailor your mitigation
program to meet those desires.Gently persuade your employer/elected officials to become involved in and become a part of your program. Ask for advice that you can prudently work into your plans. Be prepared to explain why some things that are suggested can't work - if resistance is met, ask the suggester how he or she envisions the implementation of their suggestion; this will usually end a disagreement - also, you as an emergency management professional might learn something new. The key is to calmly insist upon cooperation and to make any mitigation or action plan development a "joint effort".
In the development of any disaster plan, mitigation program or whatever the task of the day may be, address and integrate your employer's/elected official's primary concerns within your planning. Thereby, you can receive the necessary funding and still be allowed to incorporate those items that you know must be included for the welfare and safety of the population and the preservation of key infrastructures and assets.
Remember that you must continue to foster this cooperative relationship that you have created. There is always the next budget to campaign for. Use small events such a damaging thunderstorms to test your plans; when deficiencies are found, adjust your plans accordingly as soon as the crisis passes. If the deficiencies are found to be in equipment, push for
replacement or upgrade as soon as is possible after an event
while
that event is still fresh in everyone's mind. If there is a deficiency
in operating procedures and reaction reaction plans - fix it
immediately. If you or a subordinate make a significant mistake, admit
to it, own up to it and be prepared to immediately offer a
corrective/remedial solution to the cause of said mistake.With the above points all stated, remember that not all situations are the same. Be prepared for outright hostility against your department by newly elected officials with an ax to grind on the subject of fiscal responsibility - money being spent on what "might happen" is always a good target for budget line item removal...
Utilizing networking, professional friendships, public support and the media in a reasonable, non-strong arm manner will usually get the desired results. If it sounds like it is allot of work, that's because it is. However, remember why you got into the field to start with; your job is to solve everything, with nothing, to do it blindfolded in a rapid and precise manner and do it on the first try...
Am I my brother's keeper
Comment
| Tim
Spencer | 22 January, 2009 (Blog Reprint)
If memory serves, the
question is asked in the Holy Bible “Am I my
brother's keeper”. The answer is (paraphrased) yes. That moral lesson
has been lost in this country, much to the delight of the authorities
and courts. That level of morality has now been replaced with the
intellectual decision that formulates the attitudes of “don't get
involved”, “they must deserve it”, and “if they were arrested they must
be guilty”. This is a convenient but quite illogical escape from
reality for the masses, though most must surely realize that the
same could happen to them at any given moment in time.
Yet, the masses make a conscious decision not to stand up for what is
right and not to question what terrible happenstance has befallen their
neighbor.I ask my readers to now evaluate their own moral fiber by asking these three questions of themselves:
1. If I see someone being beaten by law enforcement officers, what would I do?
2. If a person is arrested and charged with a crime, do I automatically assume that they are guilty?
3. If a person is killed by authorities, do I automatically assume that said killing was justified?
I fully acknowledge that I am very outspoken on the issues of
constitutionality and civil liberties, therefore, in advance of my
critic's sure to follow allegations, I categorically state that I am
not trying to foster an “us and them” mentality or mindset. In fact,
just the opposite is my true goal – I simply want remind both our
“protectors” and the citizens of this great nation what the original
goals were in the formation of this nation and should continue to be.With that said, and in an attempt to give any readers that are employed in the law enforcement field an equal opportunity the following three questions are presented for your private asking of yourselves:
1. Would I act to stop the unnecessary physical harming of a citizen by a co-worker?
2. Do I sincerely believe that my co-workers and superiors would never perjure themselves?
3. Would I, my co-workers and my superiors act to preserve the constitutional and civil rights of a suspect?
If you answered yes to all three of the above, email me your location so I can can start shopping for real estate in your utopia please.
Now, even though I normally decline to spoon-feed my readers, I am going to make an exception this time, and I am going to keep it on the simplest of levels; so let's turn things around here just a bit on the questions; for citizens:
1. If I am being beaten by law enforcement officers, what would I want my neighbors to do?
2. If I am arrested and charged with a crime, do I automatically assume that I am guilty?
3. If my child or spouse were to be killed by authorities, would I automatically assume that said killing was justified?
...and for law enforcement personnel:
1. Would I want a co-worker act to stop the unnecessary physical harming of a spouse or child by another co-worker?
2. Do I sincerely believe that my co-workers and superiors would never perjure themselves if I was a defendant on trial for a crime?
3. Would my co-workers and my superiors act to preserve my constitutional and civil rights if I were a suspect?
Okay, I think I have made my point for the day; if you don't get it, you probably never will until you find yourself "tazed" and/or beaten and bloody, unjustly convicted of a crime that you never committed, or you find yourself on the wrong end of a law enforcement officer's bullet.
Respectfully submitted for your consideration,
Tim Spencer
