Focusing Events & Dates
According to the case, the Loma Prieta Earthquake occurred in northern California on October 17, 1989. The disaster caused massive destruction, particularly the collapse of Admiral Nimitz Freeway. Since the freeway was destroyed, it caused fatality of more than forty motorists and drivers collectively. Moreover, there was a major disturbance in gas lines and multiple fire ignitions damaged residential buildings.
Northridge Earthquake was the second occurrence on January 17, 1994 in Los Angeles. It was considered as the most destructive earthquake of the decade, since government paid approximately $6.97 billion as damages.
USA had experienced Hurricanes, which was another source of mass destruction by nature within the American boundary since 1980s. In September 1989, 21 people died in the Caribbean due to Hurricane Hugo. Moreover, this disaster made 12,000 families homeless and generated damages worth $2 billion. Proceeding, Hurricane Andrew was witnessed by America in August 1992, appeared in the same region with 23 deaths on record. The death span reached to the Bahamas and government sanctioned $26.5 billion damages to the victims.
Discussing floods, The Great Midwest Flood occurred in 1993 that disturbed Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. The recorded number of fatalities was 48 and the government paid approximately $15 billion damages to victims collectively.
President and FEMA Director
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plays a vital role in compensating victims of natural disasters. They allocate damages to affected families based on losses incurred due to calamities and institute sustainability in society. However, the FEMA director only operates when state government sanction their activities. The agency needs to submit a formal application before taking actions regarding compensations. The director tends to set up planning related to resource allocation and social recovery of people (CDP, 2016).
President Reagan was determined to dysfunction FEMA in 1980 due to zero control over death tolls caused by disasters. However, due to series of calamities, the president stepped back from his plan and understood the importance of FEMA for emergency management.
New Policies – A Success or Failure
Within American boundaries, “All-Hazards Approach” was adopted instead of “Single-Hazard Approach”. FEMA develops contingencies such as warnings, protected shelters, etc. to manage different disasters simultaneously and minimize damages for government. FEMA has collectively allocated equipments, resources, and protections to victims instead of providing them individually. This approach has successfully created resiliency towards damages caused by calamities.
Since March 1979, FEMA has operated as an independent entity responsible to manage unexpected disasters throughout the USA. With the passage of time, the agency has expanded in terms of workforce, budget, and political recognition. The Chief of Staff, Mr. Jason McNamara stated that FEMA has gained significant reputation and trust of society throughout the USA. The all-hazards policy has allowed the agency to tackle multiple disasters with maximum success. After spending three decades on American soil, FEMA has evolved in a significant manner through various collaborations with federal and local regulations. Compared to the era of Hurricane Hugo and Great Midwest Flood, the nation is prepared to encounter such disasters with minimum death toll (FEMA, 2016).
In personal view, the new policy has provided American residents with maximum protection of life and resources. Moreover, the agency has gained reliability in managing such critical situations that can result in loss of billions of dollars, and precious lives.
References
CDP,. (2016). The Role of FEMA in Disasters | Disaster Relief | Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Retrieved 18 July 2016, from http://disasterphilanthropy.org/the-role-of-fema-in-disasters/
FEMA,. (2016). About the Agency | FEMA.gov. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Retrieved 18 July 2016, from http://www.fema.gov/about-agency
