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Copyright 1999 by Walter G. Green III. All rights reserved.
Welcome to the first session of ESM 300U, Introduction to the Emergency Services. I am glad you are in the class, and I look forward to working with you over the coming semester. I am sure that we will learn many lessons during the semester, not the least of which is how well this medium works. I encourage your comments throughout on technical problems, solutions, and ideas to make the course better as we go and for future students.
Our supporting objectives for this session are to:
(1) Become familiar with each other as members of the class and the emergency services.
(2) Discover how the course technology works.
(3) Review the course syllabus and schedule and answer any questions you may have.
At the end of this session each student will be able to:
(1) Identify the emergency services and their basic roles.
(2) Describe standard cycles in emergency response activities.
(3) Use Fink's Matrix to characterize hazards, probabilities, and impacts.
(4) Identify a paradigm shift.
During this session, read the following material:
(1) The course Syllabus, including the attached pages on Requirements, Academic Standards, and Suggested Readings.
(2) Chapter 1: Defining The Emergency Services of the draft textbook MANAGING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES - AN INTRODUCTION (sent to you by e-mail).
(3) Chapter 5: Tools For Analysis of the draft textbook MANAGING THE EMERGENCY SERVICES - AN INTRODUCTION (sent to you by e-mail).
If you have any problems reading the files sent to you by e-mail, please contact the professor immediately.
Everyone answer each of the following three questions (one E-mail to the listserve per question, and make sure you include a subject line that identifies which questions you are answering). You do not have to answer them all at the same time, and you may answer them in any order you wish. Remember to also read and comment on at least two answers to questions by your fellow students.
(1) Compose a short E-mail describing yourself - just the basics: name; emergency service agency you are affiliated with (if you are) and your title; how long you have been involved in emergency services work; what certification level you hold (highest, not a list of everything); and if you have previous college, how far along you are toward a degree. If you are not active in the emergency services, please tell us what caused you to enroll for the course.
(2) Compose a short E-mail describing what you hope to learn from this course or any other expectations you may have.
(3) In 1907 Albert Galen, Attorney General of Montana, proposed that a state sheriff should be appointed to enforce laws statewide. The proposal was defeated. In 1915 Governor S. V. Stewart proposed creation of a state police force. It was defeated. Why? Who was against it? What forces could have been at work? (Don't do any research - I deliberately picked a really obscure example, because I want you to think about what your best guess is. And justify your guess with an explanation of your reasoning.)
And then answer one of the following:
(4) For where you live, what do you think is the most significant specific hazard your community faces (whether natural or man made)? Where would you place that hazard on Fink's matrix? Why?
(5) For where you live, what do you think is the most significant specific hazard your community faces (whether natural or man made)? Using the Federal Emergency Management Agency's four phases, which do you think your agency is least prepared to be involved in? And Why?