Definition of the Emergency Management System Essay - 1

Definition of the Emergency Management System - Essay Example The failure led to the devolution of the emergency management system (FEMA) with the director losing his powers. The funds and personnel issued to FEMA were reduced. Most of the resources were channeled directly to the disaster preparation and mitigation for the local and state agencies. In Chicago, OEM under OEMC, access funding from the Homeland Security Grant Funding. Besides other avenues of financing, OEMC has developed more capabilities when it comes to resource allocation and capacity development. The funding has enabled OEMC to increase its impacts in protecting the public and critical infrastructure in Chicago, in case of a disaster or emergency. Availability of personnel and funds has improved the disaster response coordination at the local level. It has led to improved technology and increased public engagement in catastrophic events. The same kinds of improvements are also experienced at the state level. The grant has enabled IEMA and its related agencies to be more effec tive and efficient. The resources have made the agency capable of investing more in training, planning, equipment and organization activities. The result of investment has been the improvement in the activities that relate to protection, prevention, response mitigation and recovery from emergencies. Emergency management is the planning process that entails the involvement of communities in the reduction of their vulnerability towards the hazard. It also involves the mechanisms through which the community can cope with disasters. Emergency management does not eliminate or avert threats but instead aims to decrease their impacts on the society. Disaster management covers events like fire, industrial sabotage, terrorist acts, natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, communication failures, industrial accidents and public disorder. Its phases include mitigation, prevention, response, preparedness and recovery (Haddow, Bullock & Coppola, 2014).