# Session No. 5

**Course Title: Disaster Response Operations and Management**

**Session Title: Actors, Roles and Responsibilities II**

## Time: 50 minutes

**Objectives:**

5.1 Identify the diverse set of private actors/entities involved in
disaster response operations and management.

5.2 Identify the diverse set of non-profit actors/entities involved in
disaster response operations and management.

5.3 Invite practitioners from the private and non-profit sectors to
discuss their roles in disaster response operations.

**Scope:**

During this session, the professor describes the roles of the public
sector in disaster response operations and management. The professor
then explores the various roles of organizations within the non-profit
sector. Students are expected to learn what businesses, churches and
charitable organizations do in times of disaster.

**Session Requirements:**

1.  Instructor Reading:

> Adams, David. 1970. "The Red Cross: Organizational Sources of
> Operational Problems." American Behavioral Scientist 13 (3): 392-403.
>
> McEntire, David A. 2006. "Understanding the Actors." *Disaster
> Response and Recovery: Strategies and Tactics for Resilience*. New
> York: Wiley.
>
> McEntire, David A., Robie J. Robinson and Richard T. Weber. 2003.
> "Business Responses to the World Trade Center Disaster: A Study of
> Corporate Roles, Functions and Interaction with the Public Sector."
> Pp. 431-458 in Monday, Jaquelyn L. *Beyond September 11^th^: An
> Account of Post-Disaster Research*. Natural Hazards Research and
> Information Applications Center. Program on Environment and Behavior
> #39. Boulder, Colorado.
>
> Quarantelli, E.L. 1996. "Local Mass Media Operations in Disasters in
> the USA." *Disaster Prevention and Management* 5 (5): 5-10.
>
> Quarantelli, E.L. 1970. "The Community General Hospital: Its Immediate
> Problems in Disasters." American Behavioral Scientist 13 (3): 380-391.
>
> Ross, James L. 1970. "The Salvation Army." *American Behavioral
> Scientist* 13 (3): 404-413.
>
> Smith, Martin H. 1978. "American Religious Organizations in Disaster:
> A Study of Congregational Response to Disaster." *Mass Emergencies* 3
> (2): 133-142.
>
> Webb, Gary R., Tierney, Kathleen J., and James M. Dahlhammer. 2000.
> "Business and Disasters: Empirical Patterns and Unanswered Questions."
> *Natural Hazards Review* 1 (2): 83-90.

2.  Student Reading:

> McEntire, David A. 2006. "Understanding the Actors." *Disaster
> Response and Recovery: Strategies and Tactics for Resilience*. New
> York: Wiley.
>
> Webb, Gary R., Tierney, Kathleen J., and James M. Dahlhammer. 2000.
> "Business and Disasters: Empirical Patterns and Unanswered Questions."
> *Natural Hazards Review* 1 (2): 83-90.
>
> Red Cross Disaster Response Functions
>
> We're There When you Need Us

3.  Handouts:

> Red Cross Disaster Response Functions - ARC Poster 916A (Rev.7/95)
>
> We're There When You Need Us -- ARC 4450 (Dec. 1996)

4\. Video: Introduction to Disaster Services (American Red Cross)

**Remarks:**

1.  The professor should note that the private and non-profit sectors
    have always been major participants in disaster response operations,
    and are expected to become even more involved in the future.

2.  The professor must explain that it is important for everyone to
    understand the roles of all of the other actors in disaster response
    operations and management to facilitate and effective response and
    coordination of emergency functions.

3.  The professor may want to distinguish between the goals and
    functions of the private sector in disaster response operations as
    compared to those of the non-profit sector. For instance, while
    companies do donate goods and services to disaster affected
    communities, others will participate in disaster response operations
    with monetary goals in mind (e.g. selling sand bags to combat
    flooding). In contrast, non-profit organizations provide relief to
    victims affected by disaster for charitable purposes. Each of these
    functions is equally valuable.

4.  The professor may contact a member of the local Red Cross Chapter
    and invite him/her to participate in the class discussion as a guest
    lecturer. Disaster Service Specialists and Disaster Action Team
    members have videos and handouts that may be useful for class. Other
    guest speakers may include business continuity planners, risk
    managers for hospitals, or reporters from the media. A video on Red
    Cross Disaster Services may also be acquired and shown.

**Objective 5.1 Identify the diverse set of private actors/entities
involved in disaster response operations and management.**

**Requirements:**

Present the following information as lecture.

I. In addition to public officials and diverse agencies at the local,
state and federal levels, **businesses and charitable organizations**
are also involved in disaster response operations (adapted with
permission from McEntire et. al. 2003).

A. Corporations and industry comprise what is known as the **private
sector**.

> B. These for-profit entities **play important and varied roles** in
> emergency management.
>
> C. In fact, it is likely that the **contributions** of businesses in
> response and recovery activities **have been woefully
> underestimated**.
>
> D. The private sector is **involved in**:
>
> 1\. **volunteer and donation activities**
>
> 2\. **insurance provision**
>
> 3\. **occupational health and safety**
>
> 4\. **emergency medical care**
>
> 5\. **reporting and information dissemination**
>
> 6\. **sheltering**
>
> 7\. **business continuity**
>
> 8\. and the **vending of goods and services** for emergency
> management.

E. Each of these areas will be **discussed in turn**.

II\. The private sector participates in **volunteer and donation
activities**.

A. Employees often **serve as volunteers** during the response phase and
companies frequently **donate needed supplies and services** to disaster
affected communities.

B. For instance, after the 1981 **Hyatt Regency skywalk collapse**,
hotel staff:

1\. **kept spectators away** from dangerous debris

2\. **removed the wounded** from the rubble

3\. and **set up a first aid station** (Waugh 1988, p. 119).

C. In other cases, restaurants **donate food** for emergency workers and
soft drink distributors bottle **water** for communities with severed
water lines.

D. It is also common that manufacturers and discount retailers **send
diapers, baby formula, clothing or other necessities** of life to
affected areas.

E. In addition, home improvement stores such as the Home Depot give
victims of disaster **lumber, plastic sheeting and other construction
equipment and supplies** for temporary or permanent repairs to damaged
homes.

III\. Although the government provides some **insurance** **coverage**
(e.g. National Flood Insurance Program), it is **the private sector that
writes the vast majority of policies** for fire, wind, hail, earthquake
and other hazards.

A. This includes the **coverage** of residential and commercial
**properties**, **personal vehicles, and the fleets** of major
transportation firms and carriers.

B. Consequently, insurance companies arrive at the scene of disaster to
**verify damages and begin settling claims** with those who have been
adversely affected.

C. Insurance and reinsurance companies then help individuals, families
and other corporations recover after disaster by **reimbursing losses**
associated with destroyed or damaged property.

IV\. **Occupational health and safety** has been a growing concern of
businesses **since the industrial revolution**.

A. In addition to various **prevention and preparedness activities**,
businesses including Texas Instruments and Raytheon have their own
emergency teams that **respond to industrial disasters** before and in
conjunction with public emergency response teams.

B. Industry is also preparing to respond to **workplace violence** and
possible **terrorist attacks** on petroleum refineries and other plants
with hazardous substances.

V. **Transportation firms** have always performed emergency management
functions.

A. Companies that operate **ocean vessels** attempt to **steer clear of
adverse weather**, and have often **provided assistance to ships** in
distress.

-   For instance, the **Carpathia** rescued many of the survivors of the
    Titanic.

B. **Rail road businesses** are now required by law to **track the
shipment of hazardous materials**.

-   They also have their own **teams** of employees that **respond to
    derailments** to ensure a quick recovery of normal operations.

C. **Trucking companies** such as SAIA Motor Freight often have their
own personnel that **investigate vehicle accidents and clean up
hazardous materials spills** according to state and federal
environmental and transportation policies.

D. **Airlines** are also required under the Aviation Family Disaster
Assistance Act of 1996 to **plan and prepare for aviation crashes**.
Responsibilities during an actual incident include **information
dissemination, body identification, psychological counseling**, etc.

VI\. There are numerous companies involved in **emergency medical health
care** as it relates to disaster.

A. When an emergency or disaster occurs, ambulance companies **dispatch
emergency medical technicians** who:

1\. **establish** **triage** procedures

2\. **care for the wounded**

3\. and **transport victims** to nearby hospitals.

B. **Hospitals** in turn must **treat patients** that arrive by
ambulance, friends or are self-referred.

-   At times, hospitals must also **protect or evacuate patients** if
    their facilities have been directly affected during the disaster.

C. Note: **Not all hospitals are private**; some are operated by the
government (e.g. veterans' hospitals).

VII\. **Media organizations**, such as **newspaper, radio, television
and cable companies**, are also heavily involved after disaster strikes.

> A. These organizations send **reporters** en masse to the scene of
> disaster to **obtain interviews, audio sound bites and video
> footage**.
>
> B. After this **information is compiled, organized and edited**, it is
> then **distributed** in print, via the internet, over the air waves,
> or on the screen.
>
> C. Much of this commentary will focus on **what happened**, **why it
> occurred** and **what the effects were**.
>
> D. But the media is also a valuable conduit for government officials
> to **spread important information** about what citizens in the
> affected community can do **to protect themselves** or where they can
> go to receive **disaster assistance**.

VIII\. The **tourist industry** is becoming more involved in emergency
management activities.

A. **Fires** such as the one that occurred at the MGM in Las Vegas in
1980 have impelled hotels to better **prepare for and respond to**
emergency situations.

B. For example, **Marriott** has its own **Crisis Management and
Business Continuity division**.

C. Hotels also have **policies and procedures** relating to **warning
employees or guests** and even **serve as places of refuge** for those
who have evacuated due to disasters and other emergencies.

D. These response measures are necessary since hotels are often
**located in vulnerable areas** (e.g. the coast) and because the **size
and occupancy of many hotels have risen** dramatically over the past few
decades.

E. Hotels often establish **agreements with the American Red Cross**
**to shelter victims** in times of individual, family or community
disaster.

IX\. As a result of the alarming number of **businesses that fold**
after disaster (as high as 40% depending on the nature of the
catastrophe), corporations are becoming **increasingly involved in
response and recovery activities**.

A. For instance, businesses are increasingly involved in **continuity
planning** which includes:

1\. the **identification of vital operations**

2\. **understanding** of potential **negative impacts of disaster**

> 3\. and **methods** **to help the business run** in spite of fires,
> floods or other catastrophes.

B. In many cases, **computers experts, technology and plans are relied
upon** in a disaster to back up files, maintain communications, or
restore the operation of advanced industrial equipment and resume normal
business operations.

C. The **private sector appears to be reacting positively** to the large
and rising toll of disasters and **is expected to embrace these efforts
even more** in the future.

D. However, many **smaller businesses** **may not participate** in these
endeavors as they lack human and material resources.

X. The private sector is also a major **provider of goods and services**
for emergency managers and other businesses, organizations or
communities. In addition to their important roles in mitigation and
preparedness, **several businesses provide** **equipment and technical
expertise during response and recovery operations**.

A. For instance, **High Sierra Electronics, HI-GO and American
Communications manufacture and sell weather warning stations, dam and
reservoir monitoring systems, weather alert radios, tornado warning
sirens, and communications equipment** in first responder vehicles.

B. **Other vendors sell or rent sand bags, personal protective
equipment, generators, computer aided decision support systems** and
other supplies for first responders and those working in emergency
operations centers.

C. **Emergency & Disaster Management Inc. consults officials and staff
at airports to deal with major aviation incidents**.

D. **Cura Emergency Services and Hultcher Services** are companies that
**respond to hazardous materials spills on road and railways**
respectively.

E. **DRC, Inc. provides logistical support** during response through the
provision of labor, workforce housing, potable water, etc.

F. **Phillips and Jordan** is a company that contracts with government
agencies to **remove, burn and dispose of debris and animal carcasses**
left in the aftermath of disaster.

G. **Verizon, ConEd and other utility providers restore phone, electric,
gas and water infrastructure** that have been rendered inoperable due to
the forces of nature.

H. **BMS Catastrophe** is well known for its ability to **restore
buildings and office equipment** after major floods and fires.

I. **Parsons Brinkerhoff** works with FEMA to **verify structural
damages** owing to disasters and estimate costs for repairs.

G. **Numerous contractors and builders** descend on disaster affected
communities in order to **make repairs to damaged buildings** or rebuild
entire communities.

H. Thus, it is evident that the **private sector performs numerous
important functions** in disaster response operations.

**Objective 5.2 Identify the diverse set of non-profit actors/entities
involved in disaster response operations and management.**

**Requirement:**

Present the following information as a lecture.

I. There are numerous **non-profit organizations** that respond to
disasters.

A. This may include **church organizations** such as:

-   **Baptist Men**

-   **Catholic Relief Services**

-   **Church World Service**

-   **Lutheran World Relief**

-   **L.D.S. Charities**

-   **Salvation Army**

-   **United Methodist Committee On Relief**

> B. It may also include other **community groups**:

-   **United Way**

-   **Rotary Clubs**

-   **Goodwill Industries**

-   **Boy Scout Chapters**

-   **refugee organizations**

-   **minority affiliations**

-   **women's and children's advocate agencies**

> C. In most cases, these organizations **donate food, water, clothing
> and other necessities of life** to sustain those affected by disaster
> on a short-term basis.
>
> D. They also help provide **spiritual/mental health counseling, feed
> emergency workers and convey words of appreciation and encouragement**
> to those responding to the disaster.
>
> E. At other times, these organizations will **provide money, labor,
> temporary housing, translation services, and construction supplies**
> to assist victims recover from disaster.
>
> F. Note: **These organizations can be both a benefit and a detriment**
> to emergency personnel and disaster response operations (e.g. **they
> may help victims or get in the way** of first responders).

II\. The **most recognized non-profit organization** involved in
disaster response operations is the **American Red Cross**.

> A. With its unique organization of **local branches/chapters** and
> state, regional and national offices, it is **able to respond to small
> house fires and major catastrophes**.
>
> B. **Volunteer Disaster Action Team members** as well as **paid
> Emergency Services Specialists** and others in the American Red Cross
> Disaster Services Human Resources Database are **dispatched to
> disaster sites** to perform a variety of functions.
>
> C. These functions include **disaster health services, disaster mental
> health services, disaster welfare inquiries, family services, mass
> care, and other services**.
>
> 1\. **Disaster Health Services**. The American Red Cross **meets the
> health needs** of individuals and families affected by disaster. This
> may include:
>
> a\. the provision of basic **first aid**
>
> b\. the filling of **prescriptions**
>
> c\. and the **collecting and distribution of blood** for victims when
> there is a shortage blood and blood related products after disaster.
>
> 2\. **Disaster Mental Health Services**. Volunteer and paid staff who
> have received adequate training may help **deliver mental health
> services** after a disaster.
>
> a\. The immediate and long-term emotional needs of victims are
> identified through **counseling sessions** and steps are taken to help
> individuals, families and the community recovery psychologically from
> the disaster.
>
> 3\. **Disaster Welfare Inquiry**. Staff of the Red Cross facilitate
> the **exchange of information** about individuals in disaster-affected
> areas to family members seeking the status on their well-being.
>
> a\. The Red Cross **receives calls** from concerned family members,
> takes information down about the person in the disaster-affected area,
> and then tries to contact the person in question through personal
> visits or phone calls.
>
> b\. If information is obtained, **a message regarding the person's
> status is relayed** to the family members that initiated the
> well-being inquiry.
>
> c\. **Bulletins are also posted** to help acquire information on
> potential disaster victims.
>
> 4\. **Family Service**s. After emergencies or disasters, Red Cross
> teams will work with those affected to **determine their immediate and
> long-term needs**.
>
> a\. This may include **clothing, furniture, temporary housing or tools
> for work**.
>
> b\. Although the assistance is **based on standardized methods, it is
> flexible** enough to help those with minor or major relief needs.
>
> 5\. **Mass Care**. The Red Cross often visits the sites of emergencies
> and disasters to **feed emergency workers** including police, fire
> fighters and emergency medical technicians.
>
> a\. The Red Cross also **establishes shelters** which can be used for
> emergency workers and/or disaster victims.
>
> b\. Food and other bulk items are **distributed based on the needs**
> of the individual victims and community affected by disaster.
>
> 6\. **Other Services**. American Red Cross Chapters are also involved
> in **other functions** that take place during disaster response.
>
> a\. This may include:

-   **fund raising**

-   **damage assessment**

-   **emergency communications**

-   **volunteer management**

-   **record keeping**

-   **logistics**

-   **liaison with other agencies**

-   **and public affairs**.

> b\. Because of its **history in disasters** in the United States,
> **congressional mandate** to provide mass care, and its **reputation
> and capability** to meet the needs of many disaster victims, the
> American Red Cross **is the premier response organization in the
> non-profit sector**. It plays an important role when disaster strikes.

**Objective 5.3 Invite practitioners from the private and non-profit
sectors to discuss their roles in disaster response operations.**

**Requirement:**

Introduce the guest lecturer, turn time over to guest lecturer for
presentation of organization's role in disaster response operations, and
allow time for questions and answers. The video "Introduction to
Disaster Services" may also be shown to highlight the role of the
American Red Cross in Disasters.

**Questions to be asked:**

1\. What does the private sector do in times of disaster?

2\. What does the non-profit sector do in times of disaster?

3\. Are the private and non-profit sectors important participants in
disaster response operations? Why?

4\. How do the roles of the private and non-profit sectors help public
officials respond to disaster?

5\. Did the guest lecturers help you understand what the roles of the
private and non-profit sectors during the response phase of disaster?
How so?