Flirting With Disaster
By Marc Gerstein    

Advice

Australian Government Emergency Management

Overview

The prime responsibility for the protection of life, property and the environment rests with the States and Territories. However, the Australian Government is committed to supporting States and Territories in developing their capacity for dealing with emergencies and disasters, and provides physical assistance to requesting States or Territories when they cannot reasonably cope during an emergency. Under the Constitution, the Australian Government is allocated responsibility for external affairs matters including the provision of humanitarian assistance for emergency and refugee relief overseas.

The Australian Government, through EMA, supports a comprehensive approach to emergency management. EMA pursues a cooperative and collaborative relationship with Australian Government agencies such as the Department of Finance and Administration, Geoscience Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology. In doing so, EMA seeks to encourage an "all agencies", "all hazards" approach to the prevention or mitigation of disasters, preparedness for their impact, response to that impact and recovery from the consequences.

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Click on any of the logos to go to each government's web site.

The Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) is a non-profit organization supporting the advancement of safer communities and sustainable development, through implementing programs and projects that reduce the impact of disasters upon countries and communities in Asia and the Pacific, by:

  • Developing and enhancing sustainable institutional disaster risk management capacities, frameworks and mechanisms, and supporting the development and implementation of government policies;
  • facilitating the dissemination and exchange of disaster risk management expertise, experience and information; and
  • raising awareness and enhancing disaster risk management knowledge and skills.

At the recommendation of UN Disaster Relief Organization (UNDRO) - now known as UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) - ADPC was established in 1986 as an outreach activity of the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok , Thailand , with the aim of strengthening the national disaster risk management systems in the region. In 1999, ADPC became an independent entity, which is governed and guided by a Board of Trustees (21 members representing 15 countries) and advised by a Regional Consultative Committee (32 members from 26 countries) and Advisory Council (55 members from a wide range of agencies.)

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The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness (CCEP) is a not-for-profit organization that improves the capabilities of those with responsibility for disaster management through the development and transfer of knowledge.

Vision Statement:

To be the GO TO knowledge resource for creating disaster resilient communities.

CCEP will achieve its mission and vision through the promotion of the following:

  • Disaster Management Principles & Practices
  • Methodologies (e.g. Incident Command System, Ten Professional Practices for Business Continuity)
  • Standards (e.g. CSA, NFPA, ISO)
  • Programs (e.g. Partnerships for Safer Communities, Community Emergency Response Volunteer programs).
  • Education & Training
  • Career Development
  • Research Results
  • Services & Products
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About the Preparing for Emergencies website

This website is run by the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the Cabinet Office, and managed by Cabinet Office Communication Group.

The site provides easily understandable guidance for the general public on how to prepare themselves, their families and their homes and businesses to cope during an emergency or disaster.

It is based around the Preparing for Emergencies booklet that was launched in August, 2004. The booklet can be downloaded from the website in 18 languages and it can be ordered in English versions including large print, audio tape, and Braille.

The website's emergency pages are updated as new material becomes available. Please see the site's What's New page for the latest information.

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Ready America

Emergency preparedness is no longer the sole concern of earthquake prone Californians and those who live in the part of the country known as "Tornado Alley." For Americans, preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

Are you prepared? Take this quiz to determine your Readiness Quotient.

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