Training and Exercise Plan Discussion

In the execution of our plan, it is expected that not everything will go smoothly. Something is bound to go wrong. Some of the potential problems that we might encounter that may prevent us from attaining our goal are preventable while others are not. For the preventable ones, we may come up with measures that reduce the risks of us facing the problems but for the unpreventable ones, the only thing we may be able to do is reduce the negative impact that they have on us.

Some of the threats and hazards that may hinder the successful execution of our plan are tornadoes, the contamination of the community water supply system and a dam failure. The tornadoes are a natural disaster, hence there is nothing that can currently be done to prevent them. However, the contamination of the community water supply and a dam failure are human-caused and technological disasters respectively and hence are preventable (Homeland Security, n.d.). 

For the tornadoes, little can be done to prevent its occurrence because it is a force of nature. It is quite possible for a tornado to occur in our area due to the frequent storms we experience. The potential damage that the community may face are high as homes could be destroyed and lives could be lost. However, measures can be taken to reduce the effects that the tornado has, such as paying extra attention to weather forecasts. This may be useful in identifying the likelihood of a tornado occurrence in order to take measures such as evacuating people. Families should prepare emergency kits that include enough supplies of water and food, first aid supplies, and personal hygiene items (Allstate, 2015). As training, families should have occasional drills on how to react as quickly as possible with the potential risk of a tornado occurring. The community should also hold occasional conferences where people are taught on how to react during the imminence of a tornado.

Another hazard that is likely to occur is the contamination of the community’s water supply. This may be caused by the increased acidity of rainwater due to the exhaust from local factories, contaminated surface runoff flowing into water sources such as rivers and dams, and leaching of chemicals into ground water that is used for domestic purposes (White, 2015). Some of the preventive measures that may be taken in this scenario include encouraging employees to use bikes to work or taking buses instead of each individual coming with their personal cars, transition to renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar instead of using traditional means such as coal, and ensuring water purification systems are in check. 

Finally, another potential threat we may face is dam failure. Some of the causes of dam failure include the use of substandard materials, changes in water levels due to human mistakes such as poor surveying, and insufficient maintenance. Some of the ways of preventive measures that may be taken to ensure that this does not happen include using appropriate fortified materials for the construction of the dams, proper and keen surveying of a river’s surrounding before the dam construction, and consistent maintenance. Communities should be taught occasionally what to do in case of a dam failure. They should be taught how the message of a potential dam failure will be passed and what they need before they evacuate. This training will reduce the number of casualties in case of such an event. 

References

Allstate. (2015, July 24). 10 ways to prepare for tornadoes, strong winds and hailstorms. Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.mnn.com/family/protection-safety/sponsorstory/10-ways-to-prepare-for-tornadoes-strong-winds-and-hailstorms

Homeland Security (n.d.). Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Guide. Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) 201. 

White, S. (2015). Water Contamination: Sources & Solutions. Retrieved April 19, 2017, from http://www.wqpmag.com/water-contamination-sources-solutions