Disasters can strike at any time and any place, as we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether it’s a natural calamity like a hurricane or a human-made catastrophe like a chemical spill, these events can seriously disrupt communities and societies. That’s where disaster management comes in. In this article, we will explore the five key stages of the disaster management cycle and discuss how leaders can help prepare and respond effectively.
What is Disaster Management?
Disaster management, also known as emergency management, is the process of preparing for and responding to calamities in a quick and strategic manner. It involves following a cycle that consists of five crucial stages. But before we dive into that, let’s take a moment to understand what constitutes a disaster.
Defining Disaster
According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, disasters can be both natural and human-made events. They can range from pandemics and technological disasters to environmental cataclysms. Some examples include earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, pandemics, wildfires, mass shootings, acts of terror, nuclear explosions, and chemical emergencies.
In recent years, the number of weather and climate-related disasters resulting in billion-dollar losses has been steadily rising. As we’ve seen in the first half of 2020 alone, the United States experienced ten such disasters. With this increase in frequency and intensity, effective leadership is vital across all sectors and levels of government.
Managing Disasters
Disaster management involves organizing and directing resources to cope with a disaster. This coordination encompasses various entities such as responders, organizations, volunteers, and donations. The ultimate goal is to minimize the impact of the event through preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
The 5 Stages of the Disaster Management Cycle
The disaster management cycle, when properly implemented, can significantly reduce the impact of catastrophic events. It also facilitates a comprehensive and expedited recovery. Let’s explore the five stages of this cycle:
1. Prevention
Being proactive is the best way to address a disaster. Prevention involves identifying potential hazards and implementing measures to mitigate their impact. Although disasters cannot always be prevented, permanent safeguards can be put into place to minimize risk.
Examples of prevention include implementing evacuation plans, designing cities to minimize flooding risks, and establishing early warning systems for natural disasters.
2. Mitigation
The goal of mitigation is to minimize the loss of human life resulting from a disaster. Structural and nonstructural measures are taken to achieve this.
Structural measures involve physical changes to buildings or environments to reduce the effects of a disaster. For example, clearing trees away from homes to prevent storm damage.
Nonstructural measures involve implementing or amending building codes to enhance safety in future constructions.
3. Preparedness
Preparedness is an ongoing process that involves planning and training individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations for disaster response. Training, evaluating, and corrective action are essential for maintaining a high level of readiness.
Examples of preparedness activities include fire drills, active-shooter drills, and evacuation rehearsals.
4. Response
The response stage occurs after a disaster strikes. It involves both short-term and long-term responses.
Leadership during this stage includes coordinating the use of resources, such as personnel, supplies, and equipment, to restore safety and minimize additional damage. Hazards are removed, and stabilization efforts are implemented.
5. Recovery
Recovery is a long process that can take years or even decades. It involves stabilizing the affected area and restoring essential community functions. Prioritization is crucial, with essential services being restored first.
During recovery, leaders focus on helping individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations return to normal or adapt to a new normal.
Developing Skills for Disaster Management
To effectively coordinate the disaster management cycle, leaders must possess several critical skills. Let’s explore the skills needed for each stage of the cycle:
Prevention
Strong analytical skills are essential during the prevention stage. Leaders must identify potential threats, hazards, and high-risk areas. Problem-solving abilities are also crucial for developing strategies to avoid or diminish the likelihood of catastrophic events.
Mitigation
Planning is a key skill during the mitigation stage. Leaders must develop strategies and structural changes to mediate potential threats. Spreading awareness among community members is critical, as they need to understand how to prepare for all contingencies.
Preparedness
Organizational skills are vital during the preparedness stage. Leaders must train individuals to respond to disasters and ensure readiness through ongoing evaluation and corrective action. Excellent oral and written communication skills are also necessary to prepare both emergency-response personnel and laypeople for action.
Response
The ability to make quick decisions is crucial during the response stage, as time is of the essence. Leaders must also excel in delegating essential tasks to volunteers and emergency responders.
Recovery
Empathy, understanding, and relationship-building skills are essential during the recovery stage. Leaders must earn the trust of the community to effectively aid in their recovery efforts.
Becoming a Leader in Disaster Management
Every business and community leader should hone their skills in disaster management, as any organization or municipality can be hit by a disaster at any time. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of having disaster plans in place. Leaders have had to adapt to remote work environments, implement new communication infrastructures, and embrace new standards of office hygiene and sanitization.
For those passionate about mastering the disaster management cycle, numerous career opportunities exist in this field. Roles such as crisis-management lead, disaster-assistance specialist, and emergency-planning coordinator require varying levels of responsibility in preparing for cataclysmic events. Pursuing a master’s degree in emergency and crisis management can be a significant step forward in finding work in these positions and sharpening the skills needed for success.
Learning More About Disaster Management
The University of Central Florida offers dynamic courses that fully prepare students to prevent, mitigate, and respond to major disasters. By participating in real-world opportunities, students gain the key skills and competencies needed for this complex and dynamic profession.
The UCF Online Master’s in Emergency and Crisis Management (MECM) program is designed to cultivate robust leadership skills required to guide communities and organizations through crises. If you are passionate about making a difference in disaster management, UCF’s online leadership and management degree and certificate programs can provide the first step toward a meaningful career. Learn more about the programs.