Module 3 –
Case
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM; PRINCIPLES AND FEATURES PART I;
MITIGATION AND RISK REDUCTION
Case Assignment
You live in Moonachie, New Jersey, and your community just
experienced a widespread disaster caused by Superstorm Sandy. You have recently
been designated by the city council and the City Manager to determine if the
community’s emergency response plan was effective in reducing property loss.
Prepare a short plan to investigate the disaster and assess
the flood damage in the city. Identify specific persons you will meet with
during your investigation.
You found that over 70% of the property in the flood-prone
area was damaged and that there was no significant improvement in damage
control since the last flood, which occurred five years ago due to a failure of
the levee system. List at least four reasons that may explain the apparent
failure to implement an effective mitigation program. Adequately support your
reasons for this apparent failure.
Develop two recommendations that you would make concerning
improvements in the city’s mitigation plan based on the latest disaster
experience.
State and discuss the general principle in this case
concerning the necessity and implementation of mitigation measures.
Upload your Case Assignment by the last day of Module 3.
Papers should be at least three pages long.
Assignment Expectations
A comprehensive analysis of the causes, response, and
mitigation of flood disasters including clear delineation of the complex
reasons for repeated flood losses should be demonstrated.
References: At least two references should be included from
academic sources (e.g., peer-reviewed journal articles). Required readings are
included. Quoted material should not exceed 10% of the total paper (since the
focus of these assignments is critical thinking). Use your own words and build
on the ideas of others. When material is copied verbatim from external sources,
it must be enclosed in quotes. The references should be cited within the text
and also listed at the end of the assignment in the References section
(preferably in APA format).
Organization: Subheadings should be used to organize your
paper according to the questions.
Format: APA format is recommended.
Grammar and Spelling: While no points are deducted for minor
errors, assignments are expected to adhere to standard guidelines of grammar,
spelling, punctuation, and sentence syntax. Points may be deducted if grammar
and spelling impact clarity.
The following items will be assessed in particular:
Relevance: All content is connected to the question.
Precision: Specific question is addressed. Statements, facts,
and statistics are specific and accurate.
Depth of discussion: Points that lead to deeper issues are
presented and integrated.
Breadth: Multiple perspectives and references, and multiple
issues/factors are considered.
Evidence: Points are well-supported with facts, statistics,
and references.
Logic: Presented discussion makes sense; conclusions are
logically supported by premises, statements, or factual information.
Clarity: Writing is concise, understandable, and contains
sufficient detail or examples.
Objectivity: Paper avoids use of first person and subjective
bias.
