Synergistic Protection: the roadmap for improving citizen disaster preparedness response

Abstract

PurposeCommunities around the world continued to be pummelled by devastating natural disasters with little to no relenting to the amount of loss of life, and property damage suffered by businesses and individuals. The United Nation reports huge financial commitments in 2010 to the tune of $109 billion in recovery in an effort of securing some semblance of normalcy. This paper aims to highlight the tremendous accomplishments created by the passing of the Post‐Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act within the US Federal Emergency Management Agency and to introduce a new concept titled Synergistic Protection that encourages citizens and businesses with special skills, equipment, or unique talents to volunteer by enrolling their contact information into a database maintained by the local emergency manager.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology that was used to construct this paper was traditional scholarly research and observations of the Washington, DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. A personal account of what was said and that occurred was used.FindingsThis is a concept paper and did not use qualitative or quantitative procedures to conclude findings, but after the data were reviewed professional assessments were made to recommend a new way of involving citizens and private industry in disaster preparedness training and planning.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of the concept of Synergistic Protection being applied globally is tremendous and has relevance the world over. It is the author's goal for every country to start using aspects of Synergistic Protection in designing disaster and crisis management planning.Social implicationsThe social implications of applying Synergistic Protection are huge. If and when applied people living in communities will start to form bonds out of necessity and need, and not shy away from one another because of petty differences. I believe that Synergistic Protection is needed around the world.Originality/valueSynergistic Protection is completely original and both copyrighted and trademark by the author.