Hazard Management theoretical Models Flashcards
What is hazard management?
A process in which governments and other organisations work together to protect people from the natural hazards that threaten their communities.
What are the aims of hazard management?
To avoid or reduce loss of life and property.
Provide help to those affected.
Ensure a rapid and effective recovery.
What are the theoretical models?
The hazard management cycle
The park model (hazard response curve)
What are the stages of the hazard management cycle?
Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
What is mitigation?
Preventing hazard events or minimising their effects
What is the focus of mitigation?
Identifying potential natural hazards and taking steps to reduce their impacts.
The main aim is to reduce the loss of life and property (largely by helping communities to become less vulnerable).
What are the actions of mitigation?
Zoning and land-use planning
Developing and enforcing building codes
Building protective structures (such as tsunami sea defence walls).
When does mitigation take place?
Before and after hazard events.
What is preparedness?
Preparing to deal with a hazard event
What is the focus of preparedness?
Minimising loss of life and property, and facilitating the response and recovery phases.
Many activities are developed and implemented by emergency planners in both governments and aid organisations.
What are the actions of preparedness?
Developing preparedness plans Developing early warning systems Creating evacuation routes Stockpiling aid equipment and supplies Raising public awareness (e.g. by holding earthquake drills).
When does preparedness take place?
Before hazard events
What is response?
Responding effectively to a hazard event
What is the focus of response?
Coping with disaster.
The main aims are to save lives, protect property, make the affected areas safe, and reduce economic losses
What are the actions of responses?
Search and rescue efforts
Evacuating people where needed
Restoring critical infrastructure (e.g. power and water supplies)
Ensuring that critical services continue (e.g. medical care and law enforcement)
When does response take place?
During hazard events
What does recovery mean?
Getting back to normal
What is the focus of recovery?
Short term recovery:
- Focuses on people’s immediate needs, so it overlaps with the response phase.
- Although called short term, these activities may last for weeks.
Long term recovery:
- this involves some of the same actions, but may continue for months or even years.
- it includes taking steps to reduce future vulnerability, which overlaps with the mitigation phase and the cycle continues.
What are the actions of recovery?
Short term:
- providing essential health and safety services
- restoring permanent power and water supplies
- re-establishing transportation routes
- providing food and temporary shelter
- organising financial assistance to help people rebuild their lives.
Long term:
- rebuilding homes and other structures
- repairing and rebuilding infrastructure
- re-opening businesses and schools
When does recovery take place?
After hazard events
What is the Park model/park hazard response curve?
Shows how a country or region might respond after a hazard event.
What can the Park model/park hazard response curve do?
Directly compare how areas at different levels of development might recover from a hazard event.
How does the Park model/park hazard response curve show the different impacts?
The impacts of hazard events change over time - depending of size, development and amount of aid received.
All hazards have different impacts, so their curves are different (how long they occur, will affect response).
Wealthier countries have very different curves than developing countries, because they can recover faster.
In hazard event that affect a number of different countries (Indian Ocean tsunami) each country has its own curve.
