Implementing the Plan, Managing the Response

The fundamental key to a successful response in any situation is effective and timely decision-making. The ability to make appropriate decisions in a timely fashion often determines when an emergency does or does not become a disaster. Disasters often are the result of an emergency situation where there was either no advance planning or inadequate planning, or the implementation of the plan was incomplete or untimely. Yet, even the best plan is not effective if it is not implemented correctly. First responders provide direct assistance regardless of the nature of the event. They respond to acts of nature such as fire, flood, mudslides, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, and hurricanes. They respond to events that may not be criminal in nature or may be a violation of safety or administrative law, such as construction accidents, train derailments, or building explosions due to gas leaks. They also are first on the scene in criminal events including mass shootings, bombings, and poisonings. First responders are there regardless of the motive of the situation. From acts of nature to no criminal intent, to criminal intent and to terrorist intent, first responders answer the call and provide assistance.