Disaster classification systems and their effectiveness in emergency response

Disaster Classification

Classifying disasters and comparing their impact on populations can be very difficult due to the widely varied nature of potential disasters and the different types and levels of damage they can cause. One means of classifying disasters that is frequently used is simply to note the origin of the disaster, or the primary cause of the disaster, which is useful because it can provide varying degrees of detail that, with proper foresight and planning based on adequate knowledge of each disaster type, can lead to more effective responses (FEMA, 2012). One can talk of natural disasters in a broad sense with some level of certainty in regard to certain policies, for example, and then one can classify the exact type of natural disaster for more detailed analysis -- a hurricane is expected to cause different types and levels of damage than an earthquake, for example (FEMA, 2012). This basic method of classification can be used somewhat effectively in comparing broad classes of disasters -- natural disasters vs. technological disasters vs. purposeful attacks, for example -- and can also be used to compare different instances of specific types of disasters -- one earthquake vs. another earthquake (FEMA, 2012). When it come sto comparing two different disasters from two different broad classes, however, this system is inadequate.

Classifying disasters based on their expected effects can fill this gap (Aceves et al., 2007). A three-part classification system with two levels of precaution and a third level of evacuation is meant to measure the broad expected impact of a disaster on a human population (Aceves et al., 2007). Combining these methods allows for a comparison matrix to be constructed.