Qestion1: Acceptable standards and accountability measures in emergency and crisis management.
Goal setting is a mandatory approach to any organization that aims at achieving set standards and quality for customer satisfaction (Walle, Murray & Starr 16). In most circumstances, the set goals should be realistic. This will help give direction to any agency or firm. In the case of eventualities, there should be a reflection to identify the achieved goals and the ones pending. This move will give a benchmark to every individual in the firm. Accountability will be measured at this point in time and evaluate the input by every individual at the time of crisis. A look at achieved standards may be more reasonable.
Documentation is equally important as this creates a record and keeps track of all activities. The crisis and hazards occurrence, the general hypothesis, should be put in records to build a history of all the happenings in regard to counter any eventuality. Moreover, the documents in a record will also assist in case of transition of the firm and general handing over by managers.
Question 2: NFPA 1600 requirement in emergency management organization.
The NFPA 1600 was adopted by the Homeland Security Department in the U.S this policy aims at establishing emergency preparedness by organizations and firms. Due to the numerous potential hazards caused by either machine in firms, or even terrorists, it was wise for the security department to adopt this policy document. This document contains all possible hazards and accepted countermeasures by all in the Security Council. Quick response coupled with good communication within firms forms the key components of this crucial document. Establishment of the fire extinguisher at strategic points and fire alarms was investable to counter the unseen misfortunes (Sawyer 39). The document requires every individual to be responsible, get prepared and take a quick response in case of any disaster. Besides, it emphasizes general crisis mitigation such as public information and safety for all. All firms are required by law to register with NFPA 1600 for self-assessment.
Question 3: Required competencies for emergency managers.
Emergency managers should have the skill required for a quick decision making. In the case of a disaster, the emergency managers should be able to bring all concerned parties on board as fast as possible (Haddow et al., 19). This is because some disasters may greatly cause great damage if no quick response is taken. Although this should be a collective responsibility by all people in the organization, the emergency manager should lead by example (O'Sullivan 1306). The emergency managers should have good communication skills, critical thinking, and conflict resolution. These skills will make the manager able to understand what normally happens on the ground since he or she mostly works in the office. Coordination skill should also be employed by this manager as all departments in the organization should report any suspicious behavior within the organization. This manager should also be able to investigate the daily happenings in the firm and relay a report to the required authorities.
Works Cited
Haddow, George D, Jane A. Bullock, and Damon P. Coppola. Introduction to Emergency Management. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008. Print.
O'Sullivan, P. "Portfolios: Possibilities for Addressing Emergency Medicine Resident Competencies." Academic Emergency Medicine 9.11 (2002): 1305-1309. Print.
Sawyer, James S. Competencies Necessary for the Practice of Emergency Management: Missouri County Emergency Management Directors' Perceptions. N.p., 2007. Print.
Van Wart, Montgomery, and Naim Kapucu. "Crisis Management Competencies." Public Management Review 13.4 (2011): 489-511. Print.
Walle, Bartel, Murray Turoff, and Starr R. Hiltz. Information Systems for Emergency Management. Armonk: M.E. Sharpe, 2010. Print.
