ER 211 - Disaster Response and Recovery Operations

Credit Hours: 3

A study of the challenges confronting emergency managers after disasters, and the principles and concepts of disaster response and recovery operations. The different types of hazards and their interaction, and the consequences of disasters are discussed. It addresses the agencies and organizations participating in the response and recovery operations, including public servants, government departments, private, and non-profit organizations, and citizen volunteers. Two theoretical approaches to the management of disasters are identified, and the advantages and disadvantages of the traditional and the professional models are presented. In addition, these topics are covered in the response phase: hazard detection, warning, evacuation and sheltering, search and rescue, emergency medical care, fatality management, and stress counseling. In transitioning to the recovery phase, damage assessment, disaster declarations, and debris management are covered. The process of recovery and its relation to mitigation is investigated, and the types of disaster assistance and ways to reduce vulnerability are described. The decision making process in the areas of transportation, politics, special needs populations, communication, legal issues, and record keeping is explained.

Emphasis is placed in developing disaster resilient communities by underscoring the value of preparedness, improvisation, professionalism, and leadership in emergency management. A performance-based approach is utilized that allows the students to apply what they have learned at the SUNY Erie Multi-Scenario Simulator.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

evaluate distinct types of hazards as well as common disaster characteristics;
assess the importance of response and recovery operations;
describe the roles and responsibilities in the public and private sectors;
explain the difference between the responsibilities of the local government after a disaster versus those of the state and the federal government;
define the different disaster functions, including search and rescue, emergency medical care, fatality management, and stress counseling;
determine what really happens in disaster situations;
describe the two theoretical approaches to the management of disasters;
describe the protective measure to protect lives in the initial steps of hazard detection, warning, evacuation, and sheltering;
demonstrate an understanding of damage assessment, disaster declarations and debris assessment; and
explain the value of preparedness, improvisation, professionalism and leadership.

F (C, S)