United States disaster response and emergency management after hurricanes Katrina and 9/11

Management

Response

The United States response to an emergency such as the situation in Surat would probably be one of widespread panic as well. Of course, social and political culture play a role in panic and disaster management. After the 9/11 attacks, the nation rallied together because of strong governmental support and an appearance that after initial panic, things were at least under control. However, the mass exodus during Hurricane Katrina from New Orleans and then later from Houston shows what a catastrophe disaster planning can be at its worst. There was mass panic and anger after the refugees ended up in the Superdome without any food or water, and there was mass panic when the people had to try to flee Houston and the roads were clogged with traffic and accidents. If people are faced with death, panic is a natural reaction.

Many of the healthcare professionals and government officials stayed behind in these cases; however, they did not abandon their patients (although some certainly did). Culturally, it seems that at least some U.S. residents may feel more of a responsibility toward others, and so they do not flee even in the most trying times. In other countries, many of the officials and healthcare professionals do not have that same ethic, and so, they think of themselves first, rather than those they should be serving. Certainly some of these issues are culturally and politically oriented, but some of them are simply a "crowd" or "survival" mentality. When faced with destruction, people are going to panic, and emergency managers need to understand that.