Introduction
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is one of the United State agency mandated with the responsibility of coordinating and offering disaster relief services to the local and federal governments. The organization works under the department of home security and it is assigned the role of offering disaster management services and responding to emergencies that superseded local government resources. In most cases, FEMA need to respond to disasters that overwhelm state resources and disasters that directly affects federal government property. An excellent example of a disaster that targeted federal property is 11 September 2001 terrorism attack that destroyed Twin Towers and World Trade Centre in New York. Additionally, not only does FEMA agency provide short term disaster management service, but also long term goals to local governments and federal governments.
Since its inception in 1970s, FEMA agency has remained focused on its mission, vision and objectives with the aim of mitigating and managing disasters in the region (Elwood & Thomas, 2007). From a historical perceptive, several legislations facilitated the establishment of most disaster, management agencies, which operate in United States, including FEMA agency. The Congress Act of 1803 is one of the legislation, which played a pivotal role in the establishment of FEMA. Before the enactment of Congress Act of 1803, cases of firebreak out had increased in New Hampshire town; an idea that had raised a concern to the public and the local authorities. The local government was compelled to enact Congress Act of 1803 as a precautionary measure against fire disasters around the town and its environs. A century later, other legislation were formulated and enacted in pursuit of mitigating disasters such as floods, earthquakes, landslide and hurricanes.
The wave of 1930s-1970s was characterized by the enactment of numerous legislations aimed at mitigating various disasters in America. In 1930s, the Congress passed the Flood Control Act that allowed military department to execute flood related projects. In 1950, the congress enacted Disaster Relief Act; that is regarded the first detailed disaster Relief law under the American history. Under the provision of this Act, the president had the power to declare an emergency and order federal agencies to render their assistance inform of financial support, equipment and human resource to any state that faced with a disaster.
The establishment of many disaster management agencies interfered with relief service delivery. Most of the agencies remained ineffective in their operation because states authorities had formulated policies that ran parallel with federal policies. This disconnect influenced the federal government to centralize and harmonize it disaster management functions; an idea that led to formation of FEMA agency.
FEMA mission statement
Over the years, FEMA has worked collaboratively with other agencies that offer disaster management services. However, the agency success can be attributed to its effective management system embodied in its mission statement. The agency mission is to support the citizens and first responders, with the aim of ensuring that people participate in building, sustaining and enhancing agency’s preparedness for, safeguard against, recover from and mitigate all disaster hazards (Federal Emergency Management Agency 2012).
Roles and Responsibility
FEMA agency is primarily assigned the role of coordinating and responding to disasters. The agency works with other non-governmental organizations, well-wishers and government bodies in offering disaster preparedness measures. Over the years, the agency has organized forums, educational campaigns and seminars that educate member of the public on how handle and prepare for disaster such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and landslide. FEMA conducts educational projects that influence members of the public with knowledge and skills in addressing disasters. Effectiveness of such educational campaigns is evident in most parts of the country. For instance, in 2001, a hurricane occurred in Washington State, but it had minimal impact because city planners had done retrofitting on the buildings. Additionally, members of the public had done house proofing; an idea that guarantees safety. Based on these facts, the agency should continue disseminating disaster management information.
FEMA agency depends on the information provided by metrological department to take precautionary measures aimed at mitigating weather related disasters. The agency also works closely with United Defense Force in preparing and mitigating terrorism attacks and disasters accruing from wars.
FEMA agencies has established an occupational and health care clinic that offers advisory services to individuals and companies in areas of diving, paramedics, shipping and hyperbaric. The agency has employed a dedicated team of professionals who offer health care services to disaster victims. All the agency’s operations, goals and objectives rhyme with FEMA’s mission that aim at mitigating all hazards.
FEMA action in pre and postnatal services:
Biological difference between men and a female makes women more vulnerable during disasters. Women and children suffer more from disaster related challenges; an idea that affect their social life (Gloria, et al. 2012). Although disaster victims suffer from posttraumatic stress, expectant women tend to suffer more because they lack the pre-requisite conditions required for effective development of the unborn child. Posttraumatic stress and other maternal complication influence expectant mothers to deliver underweight babies, experience preterm birth and develop uterine complications. Most of the time expectant women die from maternal complications because they do not have financial power to afford quality and reliable medical services. In order to address such maternal challenges, FEMA agency organizes educational forums to educate expectant women on how to maintain their health and that of the unborn baby. FEMA has employed dedicated, trained and qualified medical practitioners who deliver medical care services to expectant mothers. In case of an emergency, Flying doctors specialized in maternal health care are called upon to offer pre and post natal service to expectant and newly delivered women.
Additionally, pregnant and newly delivered women are housed in Traveler park and provided with shelter, medicines, food and other subsidiary resources. Pregnant and newly delivered women are vaccinated against chronic diseases so that they cannot infect their newly born children (Gloria, et al. 2012). Provision of quality health care services to expectant mothers has helped in reducing infant mortality. Newborn babies and children below five years are vaccinated against tuberculosis, pneumonia and other chronic and contagious diseases. In a similar vein, FEMA agency uses its resources such as vehicle, doctors and other human personnel in providing expectant mothers with quality medical services.
FEMA Plan in reducing Infant Mortality
Infant mortality rate has reduced dramatically in the last few years. This tremendous change can be attributed to the provision of quality and improvement health care services and implementation of reforms in health care sector (Valaitis., et al. 2012). It is evident that infant mortality rate remain high during disasters because mothers and children do not receive adequate relief aid on time. Similarly, expectant and newly delivered women do not have access to reliable, affordable and reliable medical services during disaster. As a result, most children below five years develop health complication that is caused by lack of quality medical services. FEMA agency understands this challenge and works collaboratively with other disaster management bodies in conducting vaccination campaigns. During disasters, mothers are required to take their children for oral vaccination that will prevent further spread of airborne diseases.
The agency has managed to reduce infant mortality, heart related diseases and spread of infectious diseases by providing quality, reliable and affordable medical services. During the pre-natal services, expectant mothers are examined carefully by the doctor and provided with medicine, which prevent occurrence of heart related diseases. Through the use technology, doctors are able to identify unborn child that has high probability of developing heart disease and prescribe necessary medications in remedying the condition (Siau & Shen, 2006). Over the years, FEMA conducts educational campaigns to educate expectant mothers on how they should feed their children with a balanced diet; as measure to reduce heart diseases.
Proposed strategies aimed at building a healthy nation
Introduction of technology in the medical sector: Technology remains an imperative facet in the society. It has transformed and improved people ways of life and facilitated economic development in the region. For this reason, the government needs to integrate technology in the medical sector with the aim of improving quality of medical services. Hospitals and health care facilities should be equipped with advanced machines and equipment that will offer quality medical services. Installation of these machines will enable doctors to diagnose and treat chronic diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis and heart related complications thus building a healthy nation. The government should formulate a policy that will require doctors and other medical practitioners to undergo an in service course (Reid & Naseer, 2012). This move will influence doctors will relevant knowledge and skills required to address serious health complications.
Establishment of community health care programs: Although the government has established health care facilities in all parts of the country, there is a need for invention of community based health programs. This strategic plan will aim at providing reliable, quality and affordable medical services to the people in remote and in accessible areas. The government should work with other non-governmental organizations in ensuring that the program remains effective and sustainable. In order to achieve this goal, health care workers should undergo a vocational training for six months before being dispatched to the community. They will use the same information in educating members of the public on the way they build a healthy nation by maintaining a healthy living style.
References
Elwood, T., & Thomas, W. (2007). The Future of Health Care in the United States. Journal of Allied Health, 36(1), 3-10.
Federal Emergency Managment Agency. (2012, February 4). FEMA. Retrieved April 14, 2013, from www.fema.gov/about-agency .
Gloria, et al. (2012). Targeting Prenatal Emegency Prepairedness Through Children Education. Jognin, 39(4), 480-487.
Gray, V., Lowery, D., Monogan, J., & Godwin, E. (2010). Incrementing Toward Nowhere: Universal Health Care Coverage in the States. Publius, 40(1), 82-113.
Reid, D., & Naseer, Z. (2012). Exploring Arising Moments and Mindfulness in Occupational Therapists Working in Diverse Clinical Practice Areas. Occup Ther Health, 26(4), 306-317.
Siau, K., & Shen, Z. (2006). Mobile healthcare informatics. Inform Health Soc Care, 31(2), 89-99.
Valaitis., et al. (2012). Methods, strategies and technologies used to conduct a scoping literature review of collaboration between primary care and public health.. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 13(3),219-236.
