It is characteristic in all major disasters that many regard their role to assess survivors’ needs. There may be confusion within government departments about where this responsibility lies.
Health, housing and emergency planning officials have often regarded it as their particular task. In addition, groups such as the military frequently make their own assessments—as do voluntary organizations, and representatives of international agencies. They often do so either to suit their own views and operational policies, or as verification of official assessments which they may be inclined to distrust, or which may not be sufficiently detailed for their purposes.
1. Given this situation, if the government is to maintain full control during disasters can it enter into a close working relationship with all assisting agencies and groups, and still maintain full control?
2. Is it necessary for government to maintain full control during disasters?
3. Required Reading
4. EOC organizations structures and staffing: Management and operations (2012, December). Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Retrieved from https://www.msema.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/03_sm_structures_dec2012.pdf
Ignore Discussion Questions after each section.
5. FEMA and federal partners continue to support areas affected by the aftermath of Sandy (2012). FEMA. Retrieved from [Review the various federal agencies that are coordinated with FEMA.]
6. FEMA overview of federal efforts to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Maria (2018). Retrieved from
7. FEMA provides update on federal support to Hurricane Irma response (2018). Retrieved from
8. How to address equity as part of COVID-19 incident command (2020, May 6). Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Retrieved from
9. National Preparedness Resource Library, FEMA
10. Required Website
11. Coronavirus Emergency Management Best Practices. FEMA.
12. FEMA.
13. Incident Command System Resources. FEMA.