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Fires and fire prevention in your community
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For the Unit II Case Study, you will focus on fires and fire prevention in your community, specifically structural fires and wildfires. Start by conducting research around your community/location for examples of mitigation and fire prevention, such as sprinkler systems, emergency fire exits, or fire hydrants. Take photographs of what you find so that you can show your professor what your area has done to address the issue of fires.
Using what you learned about your community and what you learned about past fires from this course, write a case study, a minimum of four pages in length, that addresses the following points:
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Explain what has been done with regard to mitigation, recovery, and/or response efforts within your community. When looking for potential threats, consider wildlands, explosions, or home fires, and, for mitigation, examples include building codes and fireproofing.
Explain who conducted these efforts and the vulnerabilities they faced in their community, and include the role these individuals or groups play with mitigating, responding, and/or recovering from the risk.
Examine the causes and recovery efforts of at least one past fire that either occurred in your community or that you have researched. Explain the causes and contributing factors of this fire.
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Examine the vulnerability in a larger context. Considering past fires, either in your community or surrounding areas, do you feel your community has done enough to prevent future fires? Why, or why not? What recommendations can you offer to your community to address future risks?
Consider vulnerability theory and use it to help you explain how your community may be vulnerable to fire, followed by systems theory to help you discuss the systems (organizations, policies, procedures, etc.) in place to mitigate the fire hazard.
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A first responder
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You are a first responder who is responding to an incident that is a mass casualty event where a school bus carrying middle school children collided with two trucks. One track is carrying benzene, and the other truck is carrying ammonium nitrate. Both trucks have released their cargo via spill, and now the school students are in danger of breathing in the vapors.
Complete an outline of how you will write the paper. In your outline, make sure you have components that meet the following requirements:
Distinguish between organic and inorganic chemicals.
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Apply chemical reaction basic precautions at the accident scene.
Describe potential reactions that may be present with the chemicals.
Describe the families of hydrocarbons in terms of hazard.
Explain the chemical characteristics of each chemical family.
Outline the potential chemical reactions of hydrocarbons.
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First responders understanding of the periodic table of elements
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First responders understanding of the periodic table of elements
1. You are the instructor for a group of first responders. In your own words, how would you describe the periodic table of elements in a way that can help them understand the chemical and physical characteristics of chemicals that could be part of an incident to which they have to respond?
2. Analyze the differences between ionic and covalent bonds and discuss why it is important for a responder to know the difference.
3. Explain the ionization of molecules and why it is important to responders to a hazardous materials incident.
4. There are certain trends recognized on the periodic table depending on the element’s location on the table. Categorize these different trends in relation to what is the reason for the trend on the periodic table.
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In this paper, the main emergency management theories which act as the backbone for the proposed research proposal are described comprehensively. The paper also provides an analysis of how the research topic actually expands the selected theories and a justification is provided of why the selected theories were selected for the research topic of this proposal.
Lastly this paper provides an assessment of why the identified emergency management theory are suitable for the selected methodology of this research.
Emergency management theory
For this research proposal, the main emergency management theories which serve as the backbone of the research proposal include the Emergency Response Theory and the Disaster Preparedness Theory. Environmental emergencies refer to events or incidents which threaten public welfare, health, and safety, and they include such things as acts of terrorism, industrial plant explosions, hurricanes, chemical spills, wild fires, and even floods.
Emergency Response Theory pertains to organizing available resources, coordinating and directing them so as to respond effectively and properly to an incident and bring the emergency situation under control (Medlin, 2011). In essence, this coordinated response is aimed at protecting the health of members of the public by reducing the impact of the incident on the environment and the community.
The Disaster Preparedness Theory gives emphasis to educating people about hazards which might impact their area and the importance of training people in essential disaster skills for instance disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, fire safety as well as team organization (Mitzel, 2014).
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How research topic expands theory
In this project, the research topic is Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in the Northeast Region of the United States. This research topic clearly expands theory by incorporating something new regarding processes of disaster management and preparedness and emergency response. Community Emergency Response Teams are voluntary programmes that entail doing the most good for the most number of people in the community through people assisting people as well as through preparedness.
This is a constructive approach and the members could help other people within their place of work or community after an incident when professional responders are not instantly available to assist (Bobko & Kamin, 2015). On the whole, the topic expands theory by highlighting that community emergency response teams are about encouraging individuals to take active roles in alleviating the effects of a disaster event by having preparedness projects within their communities.
Empowering communities through safer practices serves to encourage a culture of safety in the area as communities would be better prepared in a situation of emergency to do the most good for the most people.
In essence, the CERT program assists in training individuals in the community to be prepared well to respond to situations of emergency within their communities. Whenever emergency situations take place, members of Community Emergency Response Team could provide crucial support to first responders, give immediate help to the affected victims, and arrange spontaneous volunteers at the location of the disaster or emergency (Medlin, 2011). In addition, members of the CERT team could assist with non-emergency projects which help in improving the community’s safety.
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Justification for the selected theory for the chosen research topic
The selected theories – Emergency Response Theory and Disaster Preparedness Theory – are appropriate for the project’s research topic considering that Community Emergency Response Teams are usually involved in educating individuals as regards disaster preparedness for the hazards which might impact their area. In addition, CERTs provide training to people in basic response skills like disaster medical operations and fire safety, which is emphasized by the Emergency Response Theory.
It is notable that CERT volunteers use training which they learned during exercises and in the classroom to help other people within their community after a disaster has occurred when professional responders are not immediately available to provide assistance: this is something that is underscored by the selected emergency management theories. Moreover, Community Emergency Response Team volunteers are encouraged to support emergency response organizations by assuming active roles in disaster preparedness projects (Fithen & Fraser, 2012).
Why the chosen emergency management theories are appropriate for the methodology
The chosen emergency management theories are suitable for the selected methodology considering that these two theories behind community emergency response team are rooted in a simple observation: in major emergency situations, professional emergency services are often overloaded. All parts of the globe have tornadoes and/or earthquakes, and severe storms and floods are the most common disasters.
The common mass disasters include earthquake, floods, tsunami and hurricanes. All these could create mass emergencies hence community emergency response teams have a mission everywhere. The main aim of the CERT program is disaster preparedness. In general, the belief according to the selected emergency management theories is that civilians who receive community emergency response team training are more likely to prepare beforehand for a major emergency situation and are aware of the proper steps to be taken following an emergency.
This helps to reduce the probability that they would require help from emergency responders hence eases pressures on limited resources for instance rescuers and their equipment (Fithen & Fraser, 2012). The other objective of the community emergency response team program as per the selected theories is providing an auxiliary force of trained emergency personnel who are able to respond to events which are really not life-threatening and includes things like light search and rescue operations, shelter management, dispatch and paperwork.
These time-consuming or non-urgent tasks would otherwise belong to emergency professionals, which divert them from rescue operations. As such, the theories are suitable for the methodology.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the main emergency management theories which act as the backbone of the proposed research study are the Emergency Response Theory and the Disaster Preparedness Theory. The research topic expands theory by incorporating something new regarding processes of disaster management and preparedness as well as emergency response.
The selected theories are appropriate for the research topic because Community Emergency Response Teams are often involved in educating individuals on the subject of disaster preparedness for the hazards which could impact their area, and this is something underscored by the two theories.
References
Bobko, J. P., & Kamin, R. (2015). Changing the paradigm of emergency response: The need for first-care providers. Journal Of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, 9(1), 18-24.
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Research topic: Obstacles and Barriers Utilizing Community Emergency Response Teams for emergency incidents in the northeast region of the United States.
Emergency Management is an imperative aspect in reducing the impact of disasters and which should be given significant priority (Sylves, 2014). Unfortunately, utilization of community emergency response teams presents considerable barriers and obstacles.
The significance of this research to psychology lies in the need to identify how emergency incidents are handled at the community level and the prevailing obstacles and challenges that affect this approach. These may be explained through psychology theories that affect behavior and possible challenges in community emergency management (Ejeta, Ardalan & Paton, 2015). Community emergency response involves the use of community members to respond to incidences within the community (Medina, 2016). The target population constitutes of community members and emergency department officials from the northeast region of the United States.
References
Ejeta, L.T., Ardalan, A. & Paton, D. (2015). Application of Behavioral Theories to Disaster and Emergency Health Preparedness: A Systematic Review. Retrieved from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4494855/
Medina, A. (2016). Promoting a culture of disaster preparedness. Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, 9(3), 281-290. Retrieved from eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a6330788-437d-4f4a-9f00-8c2f795dcb63%40sessionmgr4005&vid=1&hid=4105
Sylves, R. (2014). Disaster Policy and Politics: Emergency Management and Homeland Security: Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Research Topic
Research on emergency management indicates that engagement of communities in emergency management can have significant benefits due to their valuable input before the arrival of first responders (Miehl, 2012; Orkin et al, 2012). We know that other parts of the United States have utilized Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT).
However we do not know whether this has been successfully implemented whether these teams have been an asset or obstacle in emergency management before arrival of first responders. Obstacles and challenges involved in community emergency management have not been exclusively studied.
References
Miehl, G. F. (2011). Community Emergency Response. Professional Safety, 56(12), 35-41. Retrieved from eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=b654225c-2694-4a93-beab-fe9e76ea952d%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4105
Orkin, A., VanderBurgh, D., Born, K., Webster, M., Strickland, S., & Beardy, J. (2012). Where There Is No Paramedic: The Sachigo Lake Wilderness Emergency Response Education Initiative. Plos Medicine, 9(10), 1-5. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001322
2.1. Research Problem Background
Plough et al (2013) and Wells et al (2013) describe CERTs as a connection between citizens and homeland security. Chandra, et al (2013) and Orkin (et al, 2012) establish that community engagement is important in promoting disaster preparedness and management.
CERTs however face challenges that must be addressed to ensure they deliver (Mayunga, 2013). These include inadequate skills, equipment, poor organization and collaboration and lack of knowledge required in the management of disasters (Kapucu, 2008).
In addressing challenges of CERT management, Medina (2016) describes the need for improved infrastructure, communication, networking and increased awareness on disaster management. Connolly (2012); Citizen Corps (2016) and E P A. (2016) emphasize the importance of knowledge and education on emergency response for CERTs. Miehl (2012) notes the importance of proper area awareness in successful use of CERTs.
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References
Chandra, A., Williams, M., Plough, A., Stayton, A., Wells, K. B., Horta, M., & Tang, J. (2013). Getting Actionable About Community Resilience: The Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Project. American Journal of Public Health, 103(7), 1181-1189. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301270
Citizen Corps website. (2016). Benefits of continued training. Retrieved from http://www.citizencorps.gov/cert/start-2-3a.shtm
Connolly, M. (2012). Creating a Campus Based Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Community College Journal of Research & Practice, 36(6), 448-452.
E P A. (2016). Emergency planning and community right to know act. Washington, DC.
Kapucu, N. (2008). Collaborative emergency management: better community organising, better public preparedness and response. Disasters, 32(2), 239-262. doi:10.1111/j.1467-7717.2008.01037.x Retrieved from eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=16&sid=7e8d6c65-1efc-4387-9209-ada9122748df%40sessionmgr4004&hid=4105
Mayunga J. S. (2013). Understanding and applying the concept of community disaster resilience: a capital-based approach. Working paper for the Summer Academy for Social Vulnerability and Resilience Building. Retrieved from http://www.ehs.unu.edu/file/get/3761.
Medina, A. (2016). Promoting a culture of disaster preparedness. Journal Of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, 9(3), 281-290.. Retrieved from eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a6330788-437d-4f4a-9f00-8c2f795dcb63%40sessionmgr4005&vid=1&hid=4105
Miehl, G. F. (2011). Community Emergency Response. Professional Safety, 56(12), 35-41. Retrieved from eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=b654225c-2694-4a93-beab-fe9e76ea952d%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4105
Orkin, A., VanderBurgh, D., Born, K., Webster, M., Strickland, S., & Beardy, J. (2012). Where There Is No Paramedic: The Sachigo Lake Wilderness Emergency Response Education Initiative. Plos Medicine, 9(10), 1-5. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1001322
Plough, A., Fielding, J. E., Chandra, A., Williams, M., Eisenman, D., Wells, K. B., & … Magaña, A. (2013). Building Community Disaster Resilience: Perspectives from a Large Urban County Department of Public Health. American Journal of Public Health, 103(7), 1190-1197. Retrieved from eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=62250a9a-93d3-4285-af03-c902e525baa7%40sessionmgr4004&vid=1&hid=4105
Wells, K. B., Tang, J., Lizaola, E., Jones, F., Brown, A., Stayton, A., & … Plough, A. (2013). Applying Community Engagement to Disaster Planning: Developing the Vision and Design for the Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Initiative. American Journal of Public Health, 103(7), 1172-1180. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301407.
3.1. Advancing scientific knowledge
Community Emergency Response Teams have been used in other parts of the United States as a reinforcement to county emergency response teams. Their participation in emergency management is however influenced by various obstacles and challenges. While a considerable number of studies have studied the importance of CERTs in emergency management, the challenges and obstacles faced in their utilization has not been exploited.
Wells, et al (2013) establish that the use of CERT promotes emergency management by ensuring that immediate emergencies can be managed before first responders arrive. Challenges and obstacles ranging from lack of proper knowledge, equipment and lack of adequate commitment and availability of the teams, given that they are not employed to ensure that they concentrate on this role only (Miehl, 2011; Mayunga, 2013). Through this research, factors affecting CERTs are studied to determine how these can be managed to enhance the effectiveness of CERTs.
References
Mayunga J. S. (2013). Understanding and applying the concept of community disaster resilience: a capital-based approach. Working paper for the Summer Academy for Social Vulnerability and Resilience Building. Retrieved from http://www.ehs.unu.edu/file/get/3761.
Miehl, G. F. (2011). Community Emergency Response. Professional Safety, 56(12), 35-41. Retrieved from eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=b654225c-2694-4a93-beab-fe9e76ea952d%40sessionmgr4001&vid=1&hid=4105
Wells, K. B., Tang, J., Lizaola, E., Jones, F., Brown, A., Stayton, A., & … Plough, A. (2013). Applying Community Engagement to Disaster Planning: Developing the Vision and Design for the Los Angeles County Community Disaster Resilience Initiative. American Journal of Public Health, 103(7), 1172-1180. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2013.301407.
3.2. Theoretical Implications
This research will create a better understanding of the fundamentals of emergency management including the need for immediate response, importance of emergency management tools, communication and relevance of community involvement in emergency response. The research will demonstrate challenges that exist in emergency management, particularly where CERTs are involved and thereby significantly inform theory.
3.3. Practical implications
The usefulness of CERTs in emergency management cannot be underestimated because their vicinity to the emergency location ensures they can take action before first responders arrive (Medina, 2016). This research will be of great relevance to emergency management authorities including emergency managers, emergency planners, FEMA representatives and the stakeholders in the northeast region of the United States by providing valuable insights on the obstacles and challenges associated with CERTs. This will ensure that they are fully aware on whether CERTs should be utilized in enhancing emergency management and how obstacles and challenges can be overcome to ensure CERTs are effective.
References
Medina, A. (2016). Promoting a culture of disaster preparedness. Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, 9(3), 281-290. Retrieved from eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a6330788-437d-4f4a-9f00-8c2f795dcb63%40sessionmgr4005&vid=1&hid=4105
4.3. Ethical considerations
This research involves human beings as research subjects and will therefore ensure that high ethical standards are maintained (Glaser and Strauss, 2009). This will include promoting privacy of respondents throughout the research period, requiring voluntary participation in the research and avoiding bias in data collection and analysis (Berg, 2009). The researcher intends to discuss the study with the institutional review board to ascertain whether they can proceed with the research and that these ethical considerations will be actioned.
References
Berg, B. L. (2009). Qualitative Research Methods. Boston, MA, United States: Allyn & Bacon.
Glaser, B. G. & Strauss, A. L. (2009). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Aldine Transaction.
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