The Importance of Public Administrators for Effective Crisis Management

The Importance of Public Administrators for Effective Crisis Management

The following contribution is from another author.

You only have to pick up a newspaper to see that climate change is affecting our planet. With the number of natural disasters increasing, and the ever-present threat of man-made crises putting lives and livelihoods at risk, effective crisis management techniques are more important than ever before. Public administrators have a crucial role to play in protecting citizens and ensuring rapid responses when crises occur. 

Climate change has contributed to an increase in the risk of storm and hurricane damage and flooding. Between 2011 and 2013, the federal government spent the equivalent of $400 per household on disaster relief. 

Crisis management involves a series of phases, which are undertaken in sequence to minimize the risk of loss of life and damage to infrastructure. Prevention is the first stage, followed by preparedness, response and recovery. Public administrators should plan in advance, investing in measures that aim to prevent disasters wherever possible. If this is not viable, the goal shifts to minimizing the impact and supporting those affected. The next stage is to rebuild and facilitate recovery. 

As technology advances, public administrators can work with experts to identify potential issues faster and sooner. Technology including early earthquake warning systems, geographic information systems and satellite data can all be employed to ensure a seamless, swift response to threats. Planning in advance is beneficial, and administrators can also learn from previous incidents, for example, fire and flood responses in West Virginia, Tennessee and California outlined in the infographic. 

To learn more about the importance of public administration and read about real-life examples, take a look at the infographic below. 


Infographic Designed By Norwich University

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).