Create a Disaster Response Plan Outline based on an actual organization (public or private) in your local community/environment:
Ideally, if this plan can be implemented in your business, industry, university, military unit, or local community, this is desirable since it can be implemented.
This is not a complete plan, but rather an outline of a plan.
Your plan outline should include a narrative explaining your organization in the context of a disaster response plan and, at a minimum, address the following items:
• The emergency management functions at the level of your chosen organization.
• The legal basis by which your organization performs its emergency management function.
• Key characteristics of your organization’s emergency manager.
• Integration of the four phases of emergency management.
• The framework of the necessary resource requirements for your organization's Disaster Response Plan.
Your plan outline and narrative should be about 5-6 pages typed (about 1,250 to 1,500 words).
Reports should be written in APA Style and all sources used should be both cited in text and in end references.
Sources used should be authoritative and credible. Avoid blogs, opinion pieces, Wikipedia and similar non-authoritative sources. Use academic literature if possible.
The following resources will be helpful in developing your Disaster Response Plan Outline:
Narrative: State University in the Context of Disaster Response
State University is a large, public, residential university located in a suburban area with a diverse population of over 30,000 students, faculty, and staff. The campus infrastructure includes academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities, and research laboratories. The university's geographic location makes it vulnerable to several potential hazards, including severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, and winter storms. Additionally, as a large public gathering space, the campus is at risk for human-caused events such as active shooter incidents, terrorism, and hazardous materials spills from its chemistry and engineering departments.
In the context of a disaster, State University has a critical role that extends beyond its campus boundaries. Due to its significant infrastructure, the university may serve as a regional asset, providing shelter for displaced community members or acting as a staging area for first responders. Therefore, the university's disaster response plan must be integrated with the broader emergency management plans of the city, county, and state. The primary goal of this plan is to protect life, maintain essential operations, and facilitate a swift recovery from any event, thereby fulfilling the university’s duty to provide a safe and secure environment for its community. This responsibility is a core function of the university’s administration and is not only a moral obligation but a legal one (Smith, 2021).
Sample Answer
This document provides a comprehensive outline for a disaster response plan for a hypothetical organization, "State University," a public institution located in a suburban community susceptible to various natural and human-caused hazards. The plan is designed to ensure the safety and continuity of operations for its large population of students, faculty, and staff. This outline is structured in accordance with best practices in emergency management and addresses the organizational functions, legal frameworks, key personnel, and resource requirements necessary for an effective response.This document provides a comprehensive outline for a disaster response plan for a hypothetical organization, "State University," a public institution located in a suburban community susceptible to various natural and human-caused hazards. The plan is designed to ensure the safety and continuity of operations for its large population of students, faculty, and staff. This outline is structured in accordance with best practices in emergency management and addresses the organizational functions, legal frameworks, key personnel, and resource requirements necessary for an effective response.