What is involved in mitigation?

Continuing on the theme of extreme meteorological events, consider for a moment the range of effects they can have in a populated area. If there is a sudden flood this can directly affect communications, buildings and roads, industry and agricultural land, threaten individual lives and property, and make huge demands on emergency services.

We may not be able to stop the next flood from occurring, but we can reduce its effects. This reduction is brought about by a modification of the way we carry out our everyday lives, and can include changes to:

structures such as bridges, dams, dikes, buildings, roads, etc.;

An example of this type of modification is the Thames Flood Barrier (seen in Fig 5.1 below).

The Thames Barrier

Fig 5.1 Thames Flood Barrier.
(Thames Barrier Park, 2003)
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/38353.aspx

organisations, including a more proactive approach to hazards, and a better understanding of the means for recovering from emergencies, and better coordination in emergency management;

An example of this type of modification is the establishment of a risk management committee and development of risk management strategies in an organisation. The Emergency Risk Management Unit at the University of New South Wales is a very good example of this type of modification. (http://www.facilities.unsw.edu.au/safety-security/emergency-management)

legal and standards systems, and their application to such matters as structural integrity, insurance coverage and emergency powers;

The development of building standards and regulations at local, State and national levels is a good example of this type of modification. One example that you might be interested in looking at is the support of building standards and regulations by the Tasmanian Department of Justice’s, Workplace Standards Tasmania. (http://www.wst.tas.gov.au/industries/building/bca)

activities, such as agriculture and industries, with the intention of developing a safer and more resilient approach.

The Animal Health Australia plan for managing Newcastle Disease is one such example. (http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/programs/special/ndv.cfm)


A further example of mitigation (and to some extent preparedness) measures comes again from the field of hazardous materials. Let us consider the safety features of large containers of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) that are used in industry.

These measures may include:


Activity 5.3

Read

learning portfolio activity

Textbook

pp. 41-56, 'Mitigation Measures' in Disaster mitigation in Asia and the Pacific.

Natural disasters are more common in some parts of the world than in others, however, violent storms in Northern Europe in recent years demonstrate that the unexpected can still happen. You may not be interested in design specifications for earthquake-resistant buildings, but such examples illustrate the wide applicability of the mitigation process.

 

Textbook

pp. 57-64 (top of page), 'Implementation of Mitigation', in Disaster mitigation in Asia and the Pacific.

The authors of this paper call this an action plan for disaster mitigation in developing countries. However, the principles will apply anywhere.

The principles, with only minor modification, can be applied to any type of hazard of any scale. They are of value when developing mitigation strategies for hazardous industry, or most technological hazards, as well as for occupational health and safety, with additional principles from these areas. Even if your area is not expected to experience major disasters, the principles will apply to your emergency management work.

Having read about some examples and principles, I would like you to list some possible prevention and mitigation measures that could be undertaken in the area you studied in your risk assessment/ hazard analysis project in EMG101. At this stage, don't think about the practicality—include as many possibilities as you can think of in your list. Keep this list handy as it may prove valuable in the development of your emergency management plan for the final assignment.


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