Just as the National Response Framework demonstrates, I think that the level of government standards that should apply to emergency management at the local level are preparedness and readiness to act. The resilience of communities in managing emergency issues begins with the preparedness of the individuals NGOs, the private sectors, and the local government to handle such matters (Homeland Security, 2008). It is how well they are prepared that they feel ready to effectively act in response to emergencies with a proper understanding of the risks that come with them.
Canton (2007) also explains in his book that coordinating disaster requires proper planning, which is the most significant aspect of preparedness. Disasters (emergencies) come with various risks that can potentially harm those handling them. This factor, coupled with their unpredictable nature, means that the government executives, NGO, and private sector leaders, emergency management practitioners, and individuals have to prepare to handle emergencies whenever they occur. With proper preparations, they get ready to act towards any form of disaster that erupts.
The need to hold proper preparations and show readiness to act on emergency matters is echoed by the research by Walsh et al., (2012). Written to show the updates to the 2008 version of the release by NIMS (National Incident Management System), the work by Walsh et al. (2012), underlines the national approach to managing emergency cases within the country. In the case of doing the same at the local level, the authors argue that all the stakeholders of emergency management at the local level have to prepare to deal with emergencies that come their way. Although these are not the only level of government standards required to manage emergencies at the local level, I believe that they form the basis for which the others contribute to the effective management of disasters.
Canton, L. G. (2007). Emergency Management: Concepts and Strategies for Effective Programs. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Homeland Security. (2008). National Response Framework. Washington, DC: Homeland Security.
Walsh, D. W., Jr., H. T., Lord, G. C., & Miller, G. T. (2012). National Incident Management System: Principles And Practice. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning.