In this brief, Jenna MacLeod reviews three varying perspectives on disaster management preparedness at the government, business, and community levels. Narratives from individuals with backgrounds working at each level were used to illustrate how disaster preparedness is achieved through planning, communication, and collaboration.
Jenna explains that at the government level, policies and systems are created to notify responders at other levels to take measures in the event of a disaster. Additionally, government responders support other responders in carrying out their role. At the business levels, owners should ensure that plans and adequate staffing are in place to respond to emergencies, once information is received from the government. Finally, Jenna points out that past experiences and personal biases can impact how individuals respond to disasters, so it is crucial for the government and businesses with which they are associated to provide adequate response instructions.