organization/its community during a potential risk. As natural disasters become at once more common and more severe, risk management becomes an even greater necessity for emergency preparedness. KEY ACTIVITIES OF RISK MANAGEMENT INCLUDE: • Communicating and consulting • Establishing a context • Identifying • Analyzing • Evaluating • Treating • Monitoring • Reviewing Risk management should first and foremost be approached as a partnership.After a disaster ensues, re-entry teams, for example, might be made up of firefighters and law enforcement professionals. But it’s the utility companies in public works who are responsible for clearing the road when a power line is down or when a gas line must be shut off. This requires a significant amount of training that aligns with departmental and community needs. Firefighters can lay the groundwork for a coordinated response via community engagement and education, but it must be supplemented by ample training.When they have access to resources that train them on real-world scenarios, firefighters are better equipped to lead their communities and counterparts through emergency situations. Risk management requires community members and emergency responders to work together as a cohesive group, no matter what emergency they’re forced to face. As natural disasters increase in frequency and severity as a result of climate change, firefighters must develop an obsession with building trust in their communities in order to keep people safe. It’s an uncomfortable conversation to have, but we need to confront the realities of what happens when there’s no relief. When emergency preparedness groups and our personal circles are aware of what the worst-case scenario looks like, they’re more likely to get on board with the processes that ensure prevention. It’s not easy to tell your spouse, for example, that she might have to pack up and evacuate your home one day so that you can do your job effectively, but the emotional aspects of risk management cannot be ignored. Being honest about the harshest realities of navigating a natural disaster is key to building trust within your community. Locals want to know that their fire department is prepared for anything that might threaten their safety, so don’t sugarcoat for the sake of avoiding unpleasantness. THE POWER OF RISK MANAGEMENT Risk management can be defined as a series of coordinated activities to direct and control an 14 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
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