Government Federal/State/Local Collaboration Networks In Disasters

Sample Solution

There are a number of reasons why there should be both national goals and strong federal direction, as during the period of “creative federalism,” and greater flexibility for state and local officials to target funds and efforts where they feel there is the greatest need.

National goals and strong federal direction are important for the following reasons:

• To ensure that all Americans have access to a basic level of disaster preparedness and response.
• To coordinate the response to large-scale disasters that overwhelm the capacity of state and local governments.

Full Answer Section

• To provide financial assistance to state and local governments that are unable to afford to recover from disasters on their own.
• To promote research and development of new disaster preparedness and response technologies.

Greater flexibility for state and local officials to target funds and efforts where they feel there is the greatest need is important for the following reasons:

• State and local officials are best placed to understand the unique needs of their communities.
• State and local officials are more accountable to their constituents than the federal government.
• State and local officials have a greater incentive to be efficient and effective in their use of disaster resources.

The best approach is likely to be a combination of national goals and strong federal direction with greater flexibility for state and local officials. This would allow the federal government to set the overall agenda and provide the necessary resources, while still allowing state and local officials to tailor the response to the specific needs of their communities.

2. What would happen if the federal role in emergency management was simply reduced to providing financial support?

If the federal role in emergency management was simply reduced to providing financial support, it is likely that there would be a number of negative consequences.

• Disparities in disaster preparedness and response would increase. Some communities would be better able to afford to prepare for and respond to disasters than others.
• Response to large-scale disasters would be less coordinated. It would be more difficult to coordinate the response to large-scale disasters that overwhelm the capacity of state and local governments.
• Research and development of new disaster preparedness and response technologies would slow. The federal government is a major funder of research and development in this area. Without federal support, research and development would slow, and it would take longer to develop new technologies that could save lives and reduce property damage.

3. How likely is it that state representatives will address the state’s major hazards without federal encouragement?

It is likely that state representatives will address the state’s major hazards without federal encouragement, but they are more likely to do so if they have access to federal funding and support.

State representatives have a strong incentive to protect their constituents from disasters. However, they may not always have the resources to do so on their own. Federal funding and support can help state representatives to invest in disaster preparedness and response, and to develop the plans and procedures that are necessary to respond effectively to disasters.

4. What are the advantages of developing local capabilities to reduce hazards? How likely is it that local officials will address risks to life and property without outside funding and support?

There are a number of advantages to developing local capabilities to reduce hazards.

• Local officials are best placed to understand the unique hazards that face their communities.
• Local officials are more accountable to their constituents than state or federal officials.
• Local officials have a greater incentive to be efficient and effective in their use of resources.

However, it is important to note that local officials may not always have the resources to develop local capabilities to reduce hazards. Outside funding and support can help local officials to invest in disaster preparedness and mitigation, and to develop the plans and procedures that are necessary to reduce the risks to life and property.

Overall, the best approach to federal-state-local collaboration during disasters is likely to be a combination of national goals and strong federal direction with greater flexibility for state and local officials. This would allow the federal government to set the overall agenda and provide the necessary resources, while still allowing state and local officials to tailor the response to the specific needs of their communities.