There are differences in the response to hazards depending mainly on the type, location, rate of spread, and the nature level of effects. In specific terms, there exist differences in traditional hazards such as fires and terrorism related hazards.
Traditional hazards have predictability before or soon after occurrence as opposed to terrorism hazards (William L. Waugh, 2004). The responses depend on the trend identified soon after occurrence. In the case of fires, the responses is usually very clear involving evacuation of the affected to safety. It is possible to establish with precision the direction the fire is spreading towards, and hence make response easier. On the contrary, terrorism hazards have no predictability after occurring. For example, in the Aum Shinrikyo Sarin Gas attack, five coordinated attacks occurred (Tu A. T, 2000). In such a scenario, the initial people to response cannot predict the occurrence of other attacks during the rescue. It is also difficult to establish the direction of the gas or in specific terms where the other attack may occur. Such situation creates difficulties in response. The injuries experienced in traditional hazards are common as opposed to those from terrorism hazard.
With the traditional hazards, the first people responding may not expose themselves to much lower risk of been victims than in terrorism hazards. In traditional hazards, although there may be need of sophisticated technological equipments, the lack of them may not hinder the rescuing of the victims. In terrorism hazard as the case of Sarin gas attack, the rescues would require sophisticated gas masks so as to be able to save the victims with least effects on their part. The lack of such equipments greatly hinders the rescuing process. However, it is important to note that, the response to hazards depends on the type of hazard but, it there are basics that cuts across all types of hazards.
References
Tu A. T (2000.)."Overview of sarin terrorist attacks in Japan". ACS Symposium Series 745: 304–
317.
William L. Waugh (2000). Terrorism and the All-Hazards Model. revised version of paper
presented on the IDS Emergency Management On-Line Conference, June 28-July 16, 2004 retrieved from http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftraining.fema.gov%2FEMIWeb%2Fdownloads%2FWaugh%2520-%2520Terrorism%2520and%2520Planning.doc&ei=kp-bU7WFAoTDPIbngPAC&usg=AFQjCNGm5JZVivK31TiaT9LDkcNsaQvX7A&sig2=E4ZShQTSKTWzOoDCSXi2Cg&bvm=bv.68911936,d.ZWU on June 14, 2014.
