Responders Role In Emergency Responses

First responders face danger on a day-to-day basis, risking their lives to respond and mitigate a variety of emergencies. Not only do responders play a large role in the response efforts of a disaster but they also play a large role in preparation and planning. “Plans describe how personnel, equipment, and other resources are used to support incident management and emergency response activities.” (NIMS, 2004. Pg 4) In the planning process it is important for responders to understand, not only the risks associated with an incident, but also the vulnerabilities and hazards in their response area. With these risks and other vulnerabilities in mind, local responding agencies can work cohesively with local, state, and federal authorities. The most
“The foundation for community-based planning is knowing the community. A keen understanding of the actual population and its needs will have a profound effect on the success or failure of any plan.” (CT2Learn, EOP. Pg 4-5) Responding agencies and other community members have access to a variety of general data on the district including hazards, large infrastructures, and as well as other threats that may be present in their response
Without proper resources and staffing responding agencies become very limited in their ability to respond to an incident safely relying heavily on mutual aid, local, state, and federal authorities. Mutual aid referring to the one jurisdiction providing resources, facilities, services, and other required support to another jurisdiction during an incident. (NIMS, 2004. Pg 4) An example of this can be seen in smaller agencies that rely heavily on volunteers. Without adequate funding, these agencies experience limitations in the ability to properly outfit a responder as well as train them to the standard needed to keep them proficient in their skills; intern risking the safety of themselves and the public they serve. These limitations are important to address amongst local agencies prior to a disaster so that other mutual aid efforts are not hindered by the deficiencies of their neighboring districts. By addressing these limitations early on they can develop a plan that allows them to compensate for those agencies’