Technology and Levels of Government

For this assignment, you will research and examine an actual emergency situation of your choosing (either a man-made or natural disaster) occurring within the last 8 years that required interaction among the local, state, and national levels. The research and examination should be reported in a paper written from the position of a local emergency management employee assigned to draft a report to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This assignment will require research into the authority, responsibility, and technological capabilities of FEMA.

Within the past 8 years, there have been many catastrophes, not necessarily involving terrorist acts but requiring crisis management resources. Examples include Hurricane Katrina; the 2010 oil well explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; the broken natural gas pipeline and resulting explosion in San Bruno, California; and major wildfires in California, Colorado, and other states, to name a few.

Assignment Guidelines

• Address the following in a report of 750–1,000 words:
  • Briefly describe and summarize the event.
    • When did the event occur, and what happened?
    • Were there any casualties or injuries?
    • Was there any environmental damage? If so, explain
    • What was the primary cause of the event? Explain.
  • What intergovernmental jurisdictions were involved? How were they coordinated? Explain.
  • What types of technology were used during the response and recovery phases? Summarize them.
  • What tools, equipment, or technology could have significantly improved relief efforts? How?
    • Were any special technologies or scientific developments used to restore the situation back to normal? If so, explain.
    • Who should be responsible for funding and providing the tools, equipment, and technology—federal, state, or local governments? Why?
  • Were there any coordination problems, such as interagency communication or conflict? Why or why not?
  • What types of forecasting technologies could have been or were used in the event you selected? Explain.
    • Were they effective? Why or why not?
  • What conclusions and recommendations could you make? Explain.
• Compile your responses in the final report, and submit the file to your instructor.
• Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.