Literature review of research variables for capstone project

Disaster Preparedness

In the second hypothesis of the proposed research project, disaster management and emergency response are critical areas which can be explored further in terms of the United States' current performance in this area, applied in the context of national security. The second hypothesis of the study states that, there is a significant relationship between performance/competence in disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities and the successful implementation of homeland security in the United States.

To test this hypothesis, the important variables that must be taken into consideration are (1) performance or competence in terms of disaster management and emergency response and (2) successful implementation of homeland security in the U.S. To measure performance or competence in terms of disaster management and emergency response, specific measures that could help determine this variable are the following: competency of individuals in agencies and departments responsible for disaster management and emergency response (on a national level), frequency of trainings / simulated trainings conducted to constantly practice protocols in disaster management and emergency response, and measures of "success" in disaster management such as saved lives and dollars/property saved in specific cases of national disasters that have occurred in the past 10-20 years. Successful implementation of homeland security in the U.S. can be measured through attitude questions, exploring the general public's perception and attitudes towards national security, preparedness of the country to respond to potential disasters and emergency cases, and competency of the government in responding to these disasters.

Annotated bibliography

Wein, L., D. Craft, and E. Kaplan. (2003). "Emergency response to an anthrax attack." PNAS, Vol. 100, No. 7.

This paper provides an exhaustive list of measures that would help define the anticipated events that could occur during an emergency, disaster or terrorist attack. In the case of this study, an anthrax attack is the anticipated emergency. These measures include: ease of obtaining anthrax; possibility of panic, flight, communications breakdown, economic disruption as a result of the attack; possibility of additional attacks in other areas; and difficulty and cost of developing an effective emergency response strategy.

Perry, R. And M. Lindell. (2003). "Preparedness for emergency response: guidelines for the emergency planning process." Disasters, Vol. 27, No. 4.

The article presented guidelines in emergency response planning and strategy. This guideline document would help the proposed study develop a framework from which the researcher will be guided to the basic elements involved in emergency response planning. One of the important aspects of emergency response planning determined in the guideline is the list of players that are critical and must be engaged during emergency response planning: emergency managers, law enforcement, hospitals, public health departments, the military and organizations actively involved in disaster management and emergency response.

Annelli, J. (2006). "The National Incident Management System: a multi-agency approach to emergency response in the United States of America." Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz. Vol. 25, No. 1.

The article provides a thorough review of a new platform developed to help support the government in terms of disaster preparedness and emergency response through the National Incident Management System or NIMS. This review of NIMS provide a comprehensive roadmap as well of critical concepts and measures that will help determine the success and competency of an emergency response plans based on the NIMS parameters.

Kaji, A., K. Koenig, and R. Lewis. (2007). "Current hospital disaster preparedness." Journal of the American Medical Association, Vol. 298, No. 18.

This journal article explores the disaster preparedness of the government in terms of a medical emergency response in the event that a disaster or attack (such as the September 11 attack) occurs in U.S. territory. One of the identified issues in medical emergency response is the lack of resources (staff and capacity in hospitals) necessary for an effective emergency response to be implemented in hospitals (i.e., from a medical perspective).