Question

Compare and contrast an all-hazards approach with a scenario planning approach. Which approach best fits local-level government? Which approach best fits the state- and federal-level governments? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

The all-hazards approach and a scenario planning approach are planning processes to deal with the hazardous or emergency situations. The major differences between both the approaches are:

All-hazards approach

All-hazards approach is a planning processes that encompass all the possible hazardous situation that could effect a region. It identifies the possible vulnerabilities that could affect a region and analyze the potential impact of those vulnerabilities or hazards on the people or the population. It plans policies for hazard prevention, deterrence and risk mitigation on a general basis for all hazards.

This approach best fits for the state and federal-level government as under the state and federal-level there is a vast territory and large population, and this increases the possiblities of the state and population to exposure to different types of hazards and vulnerabilities. Hence, they device an action plan that would encompass all types of hazards under one plan.

A scenario planning approach

A scenario planning approach identifies as specific hazard or vulnerability of a region or that could impact a specific type of population. Its makes long term plans that includes strategies for hazard prevention, deterrence and mitigation targetting a specific disaster or hazard. These long term plans are flexible that is they could be changed according to circumstances and demand of the time. This approach best works for a region specific hazards or vulnerabilities.

This approach is best for the local-level government as the local level government exactly knows the hazards and disaster that could happen to their region. Thus, it could plan and prepare strategies to prevent those hazards and minimize the losses during the times of emergency.