Emergency Management SLP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Emergency Management SLP - Essay Example The effects of lack of rainfall cannot be disputed. Large-scale agricultural activities that highly rely on rain are adversely affected in times of drought. Extensive sunny periods are experienced, characterized by hot and dry conditions. Highlighting drought issues for Emergency Response Plan (ERP) is beneficial to the entire Oklahoma population. Oklahoma State has not succumbed to drought many times. This is a rare event but when it struck, its effects were devastating. In the year 2011, the state experienced four months of drought. The four months were reported to be the driest months since the year 1921. Following this and expected subsequent drought periods in Oklahoma, there is need to assess drought conditions in the state and consequently come up with proper and effective ERP measures. Fundamental factors behind choosing drought are: crops were significantly damaged, pastures were destroyed and water shortage occurred causing rationing or restrictions of water use. Wild and man-made fires are not a new phenomenon in Oklahoma. However, fires do not constitute any routine emergencies in the state. Wild and man-made fires are disastrous. They cause massive destruction and damage to property and life. The state has succumbed to fires several times. The effects of these wide spread fires have been felt across humans and wildlife. The extensive Oklahoma fields and the severe weather exposure of the state are risk factors that primarily spread fires when they occur. The state has several initiatives and programs that fire-driven. One of the most common and successful program of that kind is the OK-FIRE (David, 2007). This and related programs and initiatives are tailored towards bringing fire disasters to manageable levels. This is due to the fact that at most times when fires break out, management and control of these fires become hectic. An ERP therefore comes in handy to assess and evaluate the performance