GEMAP, as a multi-dimensional team, offers expert consultation services on disaster preparedness and risk management issues. But our concept goes even further beyond the typical “all-hazards” concept to the new macro frontier of “generational-hazards.”
Traditional hazards such as terrorism (nuclear, radiological, bio-agent, chemical, high explosives), natural events (flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes), or other major disasters such as wildfires, hazardous materials, tornadoes, winter storms, drought, social disturbances, are external sources. In a sense “what is done to us.” They are usually urgent and result in deaths, injuries, significant impact to our economy and often result in social destabilization like that witnessed after Hurricane Katrina.
There is no question that effective preparation for natural and man-made disasters will increase the security of the United States. Recent disasters have shown the value of efficient evacuation of citizens, provision of basic sheltering needs and planning for extensive disabled citizens needs. In spite of the lessons learned, all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, and private providers are failing to prepare. In addition, citizen engagement in emergency planning remains low and federal and state funding is decreasing.
GEMAP recognizes the cause and effect of our changing political and economic factors and provides the evaluation and analysis capabilities to assist our customers in defining their emergency and preparedness needs. GEMAP offers guidance in maximizing local and regional response capabilities. GEMAP understands your needs for management and operational analysis. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and National Response Framework (NRF) all require expertise in development and implementation that GEMAP provides. Staffing, communication and interoperability analysis by our trained experts will give you the solutions to imposed regulatory demands.
But this may not be enough to ensure intelligent long-term solutions to the disaster problems each of us must deal with. GEMAP offers a better more macro approach. We believe strongly that effective agencies, governments and leaders must look ahead to the long-term probabilities that define the future. The emerging “generational-hazards” must be taken into consideration to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, provide a more lasting solution and enhance the funding effectiveness of limited tax dollars.
Generational hazards include major items such as soaring debt, global warming, declining mathematics/science/engineering education, and declining infrastructure. Other generational hazards include mass privatization of government services, foreign energy dependence, and the demographic pressures of declining birth rates, aging population, and mass immigration. These hazards are “what we do to ourselves.” They are belated and have significant impact on the national economy, disaster preparedness, living standards and social destabilization (Patrick J. Massey, Homeland Security Affairs, Vol. III, and No.3. “Generational Hazards” September 2007, www.HSAJ.org).
Obviously, dealing with generational hazards requires political solutions. The reasons some homeland security and emergency management officials give for not dealing with generational problems is that it is too hard or not their job. GEMAP offers the expertise to explore the macro issues and offer long term solutions. This dilemma becomes all the more dangerous when you consider that emergency officials have their hands full already.
Some of the problems identified by the diffused efforts of federal, state and local governments are a lack of clear roles; limited coordination between levels of government, including how federal assets will be deployed; and no minimum standards or guidelines. The result is major differences in service and competencies across state and local agencies that must be factored into effective long-term solutions. Competencies must be benchmarked and measured to provide the answers to preparedness issues.
There are three key reasons to measure emergency preparedness:
- Performance measures allow planners to focus on the critical aspects of emergency planning.
- They hold officials accountable.
- And, they allow evaluators to identify deficiencies.
GEMAP is the tool to resolving your disaster preparedness and emergency management weaknesses. Solving preparedness problems in a larger macro sense that offers long-term security to your organization or agency is our mission.
Whether it’s pandemic influenza planning, mass casualty planning or simply analyzing short-falls in performance or response to regulatory requirements, GEMAP will answer your questions and solve your planning and security problems.
