Disaster Response & Recovery Final Exam (Chapters 7-13)

A natural hazard agent that interacts with vulnerabilities and therefore produces a disaster.

primary hazard

A _________agency has ultimate responsibility for a particular ESF, whereas a _________agency has the role of assisting the primary agency in the fulfillment of ESFs.

primary, support

Shoring up buildings immediately after an earthquake is an example of what?

protective measure

A ____________ is a computer-controlled network. The major advantage of this system is their ability to serve a number of users.

trunked radio system

A group of government leaders, concerned citizens, business representatives, and nonprofit organizations who join forces to help collect donations to address long-term needs of disaster victims.

unmet needs committee

The process of including volunteers in post-disaster operations in such a way as to harness their contributions and avoid their negative impact.

volunteer management

Established permanent legislation to ensure more structured relief programs.

The Federal Disaster Act of 1950

Provides guidance to local, state, and tribal governments who have experienced a disaster and are attempting to reestablish the normalcy that existed prior to the event.

The National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF)

A comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable to all jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. It is somewhat similar to SEMS in that it adopts ICS as a standard.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS)

How do we overcome political problems?

Get to know department leaders Show merit of collaboration Go to elected officials Keep records Monitor progress Go to the media

What are some challenges associated with EOCs?

(A) Can be rendered inoperable in disaster (B) Too little, too much, or inaccurate information (C) Overlapping lines of authority (D) Shifting priorities (E) Stress

Which of the following are NOT factors for declarations?

(A) Estimated costs of repairs (B) Psychological trauma (C) number of homes sustaining major damage (D) a & b only

In order to overcome decision errors, some might employ WHICH of the following ? (A) Design preferable models (B) Decrease situational awareness (C) Look at the disaster from different viewpoints (D) Take care of physical needs

(A), (B), (C)

There are 4 types of projects, which are they? (A) starter-up, intelligence, recreational, assessment (B) blue, green, yellow, red (C) small, large, improve, alternate (D) none of the above

(C) small, large, improve, alternate

Assessment challenges include which of the following? (A) Accuracy (B) Working with others (C) Access & Safety (D) All of the above

(D) All of the above

What are some ways to prevent fraud in association with debris? (A) Look out for ineligible debris (B) Inaccurate truck load capacities (C) Trucks re-entering disposal sites (D) Take photographs or monitor contractors (E) All of the above

(E) All of the above

The Declaration process involve what activities?

1. City assesses damages and requests state help, if warranted, by talking to the governor 2. State verifies impact and requests outside help, if warranted, by talking to the FEMA regional office 3. FEMA regional office verifies impact and shares information with headquarters 4. FEMA headquarters shares information with the president 5. If warranted, the president declares a disaster to make federal assistance available 6. If not warranted, FEMA declines the request for federal assistance

Weaknesses of NIMS:

>Ignores prevention activities >Downplays recovery >Focuses on technology to resolve communication problems >Stresses standardization at the expense of flexibility >Does not capture strategic perspective >Reinvents the wheel

Strengths of NIMS:

>Includes public, private, and nonprofit organizations >Based on ICS >All-hazard focus >Addresses each phase >Promotes preparedness >Recognizes need for flexibility and standardization >Updates emergency management

An organized collection of computer hardware, software, geographic data, and personnel designed to efficiently capture, store, update, manipulate, analyze, and display all forms of geographically referenced information.

A geographic information system (GIS)

Name one category of people observed as "special populations" and explain why they are labeled as such.

A special population is comprised of people that sometimes have limited self-sufficiency after disaster strikes. They require extra or unique aid, additional resources, and follow-up care and attention from others. Tourists are vulnerable to disasters because many tourist destinations are located in hazard-prone areas.

A type of interface equipment that links mobile radios, cell phones, satellite technology, and regular phones in a single real-time communication system.

ACU-1000

The central direction, control, and coordination point of emergency operations. It is the place to decide what specific information should go to persons carrying out an 'emergency service' operation.

An emergency operations center (EOC)

What are some steps that can be taken to ensure successful public information campaigns?

Appoint a public information officer Get to know the media Establish agreements Determine location of briefings Ensure safety

The area where response and recovery efforts are managed.

Area Field Office

Record keeping is required for: (A) better decisions (B) reimbursement (C) organizational learning (D)

Better decisions Knowing who is injured, missing, and/or trapped Better tracking of human and material resources Reimbursement Organizational learning

what are some decision-making problems ?

Fuzzy gambling Strain and stress Group processes

Location where victims go to meet with FEMA representatives and other relief providers to discuss assistance programs and application requirements.

Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)

Name three out of the six types of loans and grant programs offered to disaster victims seeking IA.

Disaster loans for homes and individuals Disaster loans for businesses Individual and households program (IHP)

Fifty states, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands now participate in what system did Congress ratify in the late 1990s?

EMAC

The Media helps to:

Educate/ warn the public Provide information Describe protection methods Relay government activities List where to seek assistance

Five organizational levels of SIMS:

Field response: First responders from local agencies. Local government: Subdivisions in each county. Operational area: County governments. Regional levels: Regional governments offer assistance. State levels: State governments offer assistance.

EOC

For emergency service personnel and many others involved in disasters Operations take place at headquarters Multiple agencies are represented Has a strategic orientation Used in larger events

Which of the following are TRUE about damage assessments?

Help identify needs and bring resources to area Is required for federal assistance Determines whether structures are habitable May assist in designation of hazardous areas

Nine core principles of the NDRF

Individual and family empowerment Leadership and local primacy Predisaster recovery planning Partnership and inclusiveness Public information Unity of effort Timlineness and flexibility Resilience and sustainability Psychological and emotional recovery

_____________assistance provides relief to citizens, businesses, and others affected by a disaster but ______________assistance makes available recovery aid for government entities.

Individual, public

The ability to communicate and operate across and with various disaster organizations.

Interoperability

The process of planning, implementing and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow and storage of goods and materials as well as related information, from the point of origin to the point of consumption for the purpose of meeting the end beneficiary's requirement.

Logistics

This computer program—along with FEMA employees in the field—determines what types of disaster assistance programs the victim is eligible for.

National Emergency Management Information System (NEMIS)

It is specifically for those without insurance coverage. __________makes available grants for home repair, replacement of personal property, and other disaster-related expenses for a funeral, medical/dental care, and transportation.

Other needs assistance (ONA)

Name the assessment procedures and explain what happens at each stage.

PRE-ASSESSMENT: hold meetings and plan routes DURING ASSESSMENT: utilize color code schemes, rely on experts, use technology, and ensure accuracy. POST-ASSESSMENT: inform others of results

For standardization among responders, the Homeland Security Presidential Directive #5 (HSPD-5) was established which was meant to:

Save lives Protect responders Ensure national security Prevent threats Protect infrastructure Conduct investigations Protect property Facilitate recovery

The systematic adoption of incident command by all political jurisdictions in a given state.

Standard Emergency Management System (SEMS)

The first disaster law in the United States. It was established to provide relief to a New Hampshire town that was damaged by a fire.

The Congressional Act of 1803

List 4 strengths and 2 weaknesses of ICS.

Strengths: Closer contact among leaders Increased safety Joint planning Enhanced communication Weaknesses: Too rigid Based on false assumptions

ICS

Used in all emergencies and disasters Operations take place at the scene For emergency service personnel Has limited agency involvement Has a tactical orientation

They focus on the president's activities and the activities of federal agencies.

national media

Promoting interoperability is just one step towards enhancing communication.

true

A natural hazard agent that typically occurs at the same time as the primary hazard (e.g., hurricanes produce flooding).

associated hazard

The federal government passed the Homeland Security Act, which combined 22 federal agencies into the DHS.

true

Government welfare programs that can be extended to disaster victims (e.g. food stamps, social security, etc.)

benefits

A meeting that reviews all aspects of federal programs and requirements to give local officials an overview of the entire recovery process.

briefing

The process of relaying vital information that has a bearing on the effectiveness of disaster response and recovery operations.

communication

The harmonization of activities among diverse actors in emergency management with the purpose of overcoming the challenges inherent in disasters.

coordination

There are often too many donations.

true

The process of identifying the extent of destruction, including individual impact as well as overall economic losses in the community.

damage assessment

The collection, sorting, storage, transportation, and disposal or recycling of rubble, destroyed materials, and other wastes associated with a disaster.

debris management

A statement that the community or state cannot respond effectively without outside assistance.

disaster declaration

Name the 2 types of public assistance:

emergency and permanent

Most donations are requested and needed.

false

One main goal shared with NIMS and SEMS is stabilized culpability and partnership.

false

Recovery is quicker when volunteers aren't present, they just create frustration among emergency personnel.

false

Gift funds that require no repayment.

grants

A ___________meeting covers federal disaster assistance programs and policies in an in-depth manner

kick-off

Lend money to individuals, families, and businesses that have sustained losses in disasters.

loan programs

They provide very detailed personal stories, in addition to specific information for disaster victims.

local media

What are the different types of media?

local, regional, national, international, radio, television/cable/satilite, internet/print

Name the three types of assessments.

rapid preliminary technical

Equipment devices which obtain signals from transmitters.

receivers

Permanent assistance is comprised of what?

road systems, water control, public buildings and equipment, public utility, and other assistance.

A hazard (natural, technological, or otherwise) that occurs as a result of the initial hazard.

secondary hazard

Government programs that address unique issues or additional needs made evident in the disaster.

services

A unit with its own designated channel to facilitate communications regarding particular topics or subjects.

talk groups

Devices, such as a smartphone, that transmit and receive information.

transceivers

These convey information through radios, sirens, TV stations, and cable override systems.

transmitters

DRCs are staffed by state, federal, and nonprofit agencies.

true

Emergency managers can use the Internet to get opinions on which rain gauges are the most reliable.

true

In terms of technological disasters, planning and design are faulty.

true