Tornado outbreaks are devastating events that can cause widespread damage, injuries, and fatalities. To respond effectively, emergency managers need to plan, coordinate, and allocate resources efficiently and flexibly. In this article, you will learn how resource management can improve tornado outbreak response by following these six sections:
Resource management is the process of identifying, acquiring, distributing, and tracking the resources needed for an emergency operation. Resources can include personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, and information. Resource management aims to optimize the use of available resources, avoid duplication and waste, and meet the needs of the affected population.
Resource Management is critical for effective response, mitigation and recovery efforts. Identifying and establishing resource channels for the unique resources for tornados (and other disasters) is key. Resources and the associated logistics are critical to meet the needs during significant disasters. Without resources AND logistics, recovery will be slow and painful.
Tornado response is a marathon, not a sprint. Though initial response is hectic and overwhelming, it’s important to remember that this response will take months, not hours or even days. You have to keep yourself and those working with you from burning out. Your people are your most valuable resource. As it relates to commodities, have diverse sourcing and quickly open roads so the trucks can safely make it into the community. Make debris removal a critical first step to not only first responders, but for resources arriving too.
Resource management pre-event is the reason that the temporary roofing program in Guam after Typhoon Myanmar was so successful. Prepositioning the correct type of resource for the appropriate type of disaster is key to responding, quite frankly, as fast as we can to preserve life and property. During blue skies, we should be working at the same pace to preposition and identify our resources, and lack thereof, so our industry continues to improve as disasters become more frequent and complex.
Tornado outbreaks can present several difficulties when it comes to resource management. Tornadoes are unpredictable and variable, making it hard to determine the timing, location, and severity of the impacts. Responding to a tornado can involve multiple agencies, jurisdictions, and sectors, which can lead to communication and coordination issues due to damaged infrastructure, incompatible systems, and conflicting priorities. Additionally, resource scarcity and competition can arise due to high demand, limited supply, and unequal distribution.
For me this is an unpredictable event so you should not pull all your resources at once, rather take resources gradually because you can't predict the next force in other not to run short of resources.
Emergency managers can adopt certain strategies for resource management in order to overcome the associated challenges. This includes conducting a regular assessment of resource needs, availability, and gaps, as well as establishing a clear and common resource management system with standards, protocols, and tools for requesting, ordering, tracking, and reporting resources. It is also important to enhance the interoperability and integration of resource management systems across different levels, sectors, and partners. Building relationships and trust with resource providers and users will help to foster a culture of collaboration and coordination.
Creating exercises, games and scenarios that test our real-world resource management skills, biannually, is the best way to keep resource management professionally 'fresh'. The more of us who know (I have never practiced in an exercise I'm describing here, but would like to!), the more of us who can answer resource questions when asked. For those who do not participate, hot washes can be made available for review that showcases our resource capabilities.
In addition to these strategies, emergency managers can also leverage some innovations for resource management. For example, geospatial technologies and data analytics can be used to map, monitor, and visualize the resource distribution and utilization. Artificial intelligence and machine learning can be applied to optimize the resource allocation and forecasting. Social media and crowdsourcing can be utilized to collect and share information and feedback on the resource needs and satisfaction. Additionally, alternative and sustainable sources of resources, such as renewable energy, local production, and community donations should be explored.
Emergency managers can benefit from implementing strategies and innovations for resource management. These strategies and innovations can improve the timeliness, adequacy, and quality of the resource delivery and support. Additionally, they can reduce the costs, risks, and inefficiencies of the resource management process. Furthermore, they can enhance the accountability, transparency, and performance of the resource management system, as well as increase the resilience, recovery, and satisfaction of the affected population.
To improve your resource management skills for tornado outbreak response, it is important to plan ahead and prepare for different scenarios and contingencies. Communication and coordination with your resource management partners and stakeholders should be frequent and effective. You should also be able to adapt and adjust your resource management plans and actions according to the changing situation and needs. Finally, it is essential to learn from your experiences and best practices in order to improve your resource management skills.