Disaster Management Cycle

Disaster Management Cycle
The disaster cycle or the disaster life cycle consists of the steps that emergency managers take in planning for and responding to disasters. Each step in the disaster cycle correlates to part of the ongoing cycle that is emergency management. This disaster cycle is used throughout the emergency management community, from the local to the national and international levels.

The disaster management personnel are trained to assist in such happenings. Disasters can be categorized into four different types – natural disasters (including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and floods) environmental disasters (manmade incidents which result from the environment in which they occur, such as an explosion on an oil rig) complex emergencies (situations which arise due to political unrest, such as uprisings and civil wars) and pandemic emergencies (pertaining to a sudden bout of a dangerous disease, such as Malaria or Cholera). 
There are four necessary steps that should be paid attention to at all times, as disasters can be catastrophic if no advance planning has been implemented. These steps may not prevent disasters, but they can definitely help minimize the risk and reduce the damage caused:
 
  1. Prevention and mitigation: It is almost impossible to prevent disasters from happening, and this is especially the case with natural disasters. However, it is important that a plan is devised in case of emergencies and that people are made aware of what they should do in such an event. Escape routes, safety shelters and designated areas for pets need to be detailed in these plans so as to avoid any confusion.

It is also of utmost importance that any building designs and environmental planning are structured around the threat of disaster, as any new additions to an area can easily upset the points detailed in the plan.
 
  2. Preparedness and early warning: Monitoring and spreading awareness of weather patterns, changes in patterns and...