Revise IP4 for IP5 Essay

Internal Application of Public Administration Agencies

Earthquake is one of the most serious disasters that can lead to loss of life, destruction and damage of property. In order to safe life and avoid the destruction brought by this type of natural disaster, it is essential that all scenarios relating to the earthquake and its potential effect are forecast and remedies discussed before it occurs (Cretney, 2016). Such a preparation requires a reasonable budget for the materials and tools that will be used to counter the disaster. The location of this disaster will also determine the amount of resources required to mitigate the adverse effects of such a calamity. Having experienced the last disaster in 2003, the agency recognizes the significance of reevaluating the levels of preparedness and the resources required in case of a similar tragedy. This proposal addresses the equipment and supplies required for such a calamity and the associated budget showing the cost of the items.

The Budget
The target population size for the location covered by this proposal is one thousand five hundred (1500) households with an average of seven members in each family. The families are characterized by low standards of living with almost ninety percent from poor rural areas with low income to support their households. The poverty levels and poor incomes make it difficult for these families to privately acquire survival kits. The agency will, therefore, make appropriate allocations to the emergency team to distribute emergency survival kits to the families once an earthquake is predicted. The poor state of the road network which makes the pathways impassable will affect the accessibility of this rural community. The community’s geographical terrain makes it prone to landslides and mudslides which already cause significant threats besides the earthquakes (Novak, Lozos, & Spear, 2018). Another budgetary consideration that the agency will make is that the majority of the womenfolk are not employed and hence spends much of their time at home meaning that, together with the children, they are faced with the greatest risk of harm. Coupled with the scarcity of health centers, there is need to have ambulances on standby to respond to the emergency. Considering these factors and the high population in this area, a team of fifty members was formed and tasked to budget for the items, staff and supplies in regard with this community.

Supplies
After consultations, the committee proposes for an allocation of 1 million US dollar to cater for the first aid kits and other emergency medical supplies which involve items like eye drops, antibiotic ointment, rolled gauze and bandage strips. Sturdy shoes should also be supplied to protect people from broken glass and nail. All survival kits will be collected and assembled in various automobiles and ready for disparage once the earthquake is predicted. These automobiles will be located in various installations within the entire community. Another 1 million dollars will be set aside for food related supplies as the impact of the earthquake may mean loss of means of getting the livelihoods for the population.

Personnel
The committee proposes eight ambulances to be purchased at an estimated cost of sixteen million (16) US dollars to cater for the population. The amount includes the costs of acquiring the automobiles and the wages of the EMS personnel. The poor road connectivity necessitates the use of airplanes and drones in aerial services to deliver critical supplies and equipment (Barnes et al., 2008). As a result, the committee proposes the setting aside of 10 million US dollars for hiring of the planes once it is established that the community cannot be accessed by road. The committee further proposes to have firefighting personnel in the region to address any emergency disaster and as a result 1.5 million USD is proposed to cater for the firefighters’ training and wages.

Other Considerations
The location also being in the remote but still under the Federal regime, the committee proposes the contracting of engineers to offer consultation services in regard to other structural issues relating to the earthquake. The cost of the contract is estimated to be $0.5 million dollars. In addition, the sloppy terrains will require the residents to adopt plantation of root ball in order to avoid landslides.

Earthquake Policy
The earthquake policy is intended to reduce the damages and causalities in the near future. The measures include structural considerations where developers and engineers are encouraged to design and construct strong buildings that can resist seismic forces. The committee recommends the adherence to nonstructural measures which include improving the seismic resistance of nonstructural buildings like the chimneys.
Emergency procedures define the steps one has to take while he/she is in the building (Sheu, 2007). The earthquake policy recommends that individuals cover their head and the neck while evacuating a building. People should evacuate from the buildings only when they are sure of reaching safe places before the earthquake occurs (Hossain & Kuti, 2010). In case there are stairs in the building, utilize them as much as possible after shaking stops to ensure they are strong; elevators should never be used at any particular period during an emergency evacuation. The emergency team is advised to be at the venue to offer support as well as directing victims to safe places as soon as possible.
Occupants of the building are encouraged to always turn off any electric equipment around and help everyone evacuate especially those with disabilities.
The policy recommends that people should not return to the buildings or areas of disaster until it has been declared safe by the agency.

Challenges
Despite the efforts made by the committee to ensure there are preparedness measures, there are always challenges that are likely to hinder the operations. Many of the setbacks are as a result of the government not offering sufficient support. The public administration is limited to designing an approach that is entirely challenge-free because of the resource limitations (Kala, 2004). An improper guideline on the preparation of the earthquake disaster is also another challenge. Barnes et al (2008) provide that there is poor coordination between the government institutions and the earthquake stakeholders which affects response operations. The authors also point to the poor governmental inspection of buildings and major infrastructure which exposes them to destruction in case of an earthquake. Real time demand information on the disaster is very necessary but accessing it becomes a challenge which further compromises rescue efforts (Sheu, 2007).
In conclusion, earthquakes just like any other disaster, causes significant harm to the residents of the affected area including collapse of buildings, loss of property and damage to the infrastructure. However, at the occurrence of the quake, individuals must take necessary precautions and measures to ensure they are safe. Some measures pertaining structural and nonstructural must be adhered to when constructing buildings. The various government authorities too should be ready and prepared enough to contain such incidences when they occur in an attempt to minimize the destructions and loss of life. The building codes must be adhered to. This proposal will guide the response to any potential disaster.

References
Barnes, M. D., Hanson, C. L., Novilla, L. M., Meacham, A. T., McIntyre, E., & Erickson, B. C. (2008). Analysis of media agenda setting during and after Hurricane Katrina: Implications for emergency preparedness, disaster response, and disaster policy. American journal of public health, 98(4), 604-610.

Cretney, R. M. (2016). Local responses to disaster: The value of community led post disaster response action in a resilience framework. Disaster Prevention and Management, 25(1), 27-40.

Hossain, L., & Kuti, M. (2010). Disaster response preparedness coordination through social networks. Disasters, 34(3), 755-786.

Kala, C. P. (2014). Deluge, disaster and development in Uttarakhand Himalayan region of India: challenges and lessons for disaster management. International journal of disaster risk reduction, 8, 143-152

Novak, J., Lozos, J. C., & Spear, S. E. (2018). Development of an interactive escape room intervention to educate college students about earthquake preparedness. Natural Hazards Review, 20(1), 06018001.

Sheu, J. B. (2007). Challenges of emergency logistics management
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……Prof. comments on IP4……………………………
It can be difficult to get policy support from senior elected officials before a disaster event occurs. The problem is that disaster policy issues are often monumental and very complicated, involving conflicting interests at every level of government.

There can be reluctance on the part of elected officials to create controversy and debate until the need is immediate and unavoidable. This reluctance is at odds with the emergency manager’s requirement to establish the “ground rules” regarding disaster activities in advance of an actual disaster occurrence.

At the local level, this problem is compounded by the fact that local jurisdictions are the most immediately affected but tend to be the least interested in disaster issues. Often the governments least likely to perceive emergency management as a key priority – local governments – are at center stage in terms of responsibility for emergency management.

Strengths: Effective: The submitted work meets most of the project criteria requirements and is missing key details. It demonstrates an understanding of the course material, and it meets most of the course objectives.

Opportunities for improvement: You should continue to conduct research and accumulate references from which you will construct a final project paper that tells a thorough story. Continue to acquire general information as well as detailed, specific information about the topic for your final paper in IP 5. Your personal statements that answers statements or questions from the rough draft can be incorporated into the final draft.

Additional comments: The objectives for this assignment call for you to compare the management of public organizations with other types of management strategies, describe the organization and structure of public organizations, discuss program implementation and funding and identify the paradigms of public administration.

Local and state governments are the first responders to disaster, in terms of both direct aid and initial financial responsibility. Many states have a budget plan to accommodate the expected catastrophe. Others have developed specific budgets to respond to multiple disasters, like Alaska’s plan for two state-level emergencies and two federally declared emergencies.
………………………………………………………………………Your instructor has returned your Week 4 Individual Project Key Assignment with comments and suggestions to improve your overall plan.
Additionally, you have had the opportunity to discuss your Key Assignment with your peers.

Assignment Guidelines

Revise and amend your Week 4 Key Assignment by adding what you learned in the post-DB’s following the task, as well as taking into consideration your instructor’s comments.

Finally, the committee will need to propose policies on training and education for earthquake preparedness.

Both the organization’s employees and the public will need education and training for the earthquake preparedness plan to be truly effective.

Add your responses to the following to your Key

Assignment Final Draft:
How will the organization address training for employees? Explain in detail.

How should the public be trained and educated on earthquake preparedness? Explain in detail.

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Introduction
Earthquakes have become a common trend in some parts of the world. Despite being a natural disaster that can be predicted based on many geographical and meteorological indicators, the level of preparedness in some states or countries is always the source of controversy. The truth of the matter is that most states/ countries act after such a disaster has happened. Little investment is undertaken to prepare for disasters of high magnitudes such as earthquakes. The rough draft submitted in week four painted the picture of the level of preparedness that is needed especially in terms of the costs involved. Budgeting for supplies and personnel as well as other important considerations were found to be key in overseeing proper mitigation mechanisms in disaster…