In our complex modern world, disasters are inevitable. Some of them are man-made, but many are natural too. Fortunately, Western governments have the technology and resources to mitigate the impact of crises in a way that wasn’t possible in the past.
Predicting and responding to these dangers can be a challenge, but there’s a growing sense among public officials that governments need to invest in preparedness. Disasters can strike at any time and, often, without warning.
Unfortunately, the costs of disasters seem to be on the increase. According to data presented in the following infographic, the federal government spent an enormous $136 billion on disaster relief between 2011 and 2013 – a short two-year period. Disasters cost the average household around $400 per year. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that homeowners and families look at many different ways to increase their disaster relief funds for the future.
Public administrators, however, can do a lot to mitigate the impact of disasters. Take the Tennessee fire, for instance – the worst fire in the state for more than one hundred years. The public administration responded to issue an immediate evacuation of the area and deploy more than 700 people to manage the operation. Governments and local authorities should also make sure that they have the supplies that they need, such as sandbags and flood defense equipment, plenty of adult and child gas mask stock, and anything else they may need to help their communities in their time of need.
Part of the reason for the improved response comes down to better technology. As shown in the following infographic, public administrations can now alert the public with a variety of communication tools, monitor weather and geologic information with sensors, and use satellite data. The capacity of the state, therefore, to provide assistance to the average person and keep them healthy is improving.
Are you interested in this subject? Please check out the following infographic for more information on the topic.
Infographic by Norwich University
