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The role of armed forces in disaster management and response :

Armed forces represent the frontline defence of a nation. To this end they train, equip and prepare themselves for all operations expected to be carried out during any such incidents. With the increasingly hostile and non-visible threat climate generated by terrorism, insurgency and localised disturbances (natural and man-made), armed forces have had to adapt and train themselves in order to carry out operations other than war. Disaster management and response is one of these activities. / Disaster management is an area of primary concern for governments around the world today. Part of the reason for such a state of affairs is the increasingly aware and informed public perception of disasters and calamities. As such any shortcomings in disaster management programs are mercilessly exposed by media sources. In order to better respond and combat disasters, it is therefore important that governments utilise all means at their disposal. Armed forces, which are ultimately responsible to the head of the state in a democratic form of government, are expected to carry out all directives that are assigned to them. Professional soldiers are trained to ignore their personal situation and state of mind and carry out their duties regardless of the distress caused or the difficulties faced. It is this dedication and their training that can prove to be a valuable asset for disaster planners. / Disaster managers need to understand and analyse how armed forces operate during a disaster response exercise. The skills that are specialised to armed forces should be disbursed within the disaster response community to better prepare them for disaster management processes. In return, the investment that is made in maintaining a battle ready force is utilised to train and equip disaster responders and managers with the tools to save their lives. / Thesis (MEngineering)--University of South Australia, 2006.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/267369
CreatorsRanjan, Kunwar.
Source SetsAustraliasian Digital Theses Program
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Rightscopyright under review

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