Can Novices Deal With
Disaster?
Kristin Edwards
As a native of Wyoming, the one state in the union that has not experienced
a major emergency in recent history, my personal experience with disasters
is limited. The characteristics of Wyoming, including its sparse population
and barren terrain, have made it valuable to America’s security strategy but
have not lent the state toward participation in response and recovery during
major crises. However, residents are not left unaffected by emergencies
that happen nearby. In this context, even residents of Wyoming have
reflected over the last five years on what their personal response to emergency
might entail. The events of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina’s
destruction have left all American citizens with impressions that are not
insignificant to the development and implementation of policies concerning
the future of emergency management.
As home to one of America’s four strategic missile bases, F. E. Warren Air
Force Base, Wyoming’s citizens have always been aware of the potential for
a nuclear disaster of sorts. Residents are conscious of the remote 220
nuclear missile facilities spread throughout Wyoming and neighboring Nebraska
and Colorado. Wyoming is also the location of energy based industry
of value at the state and national level. In addition, the state serves
as a transportation and communications crossroad. Citizens understand
that these facilities could become targets. The events of September
11 further demonstrated the potential vulnerability of the state to terrorism.
As a university student at the time of the attack on the World Trade Center,
information and legislation presented themselves in order for us to make important
decisions about the future of our state. Wyoming’s Counter Terrorism
Commission addressed some major issues that the state would tackle in its
preparedness for emergency. It was one of the first times that Wyoming
citizens, who under normal circumstances, enjoyed the isolation and protection
of a state generally thought of as separated from the real world, were forced
to consider and plan for the impacts of a disaster. Wyoming residents
also experienced the proximity of Hurricane Katrina. A hurricane of
such destruction left people, who are becoming more and more connected to
the globalized world, with a feeling of urgency.
People are becoming more aware, and this knowledge compels them to express
opinions that may prove valuable to the future of emergency management.
The example of Wyoming is a good one; it can demonstrate the value that local
planning and participation can offer to the future of emergency management
in the entire country. Although residents have not experienced disasters
themselves, they have had them on their minds throughout the decades.
Utilizing the ideas of local residents throughout the entire United States
is valuable in ensuring the preparedness and capacity of all levels of government
when the next disaster occurs. And even novices have the potential to
contribute fresh, unique perspectives that might not have been considered
otherwise. Recognizing the potential of this contribution is important
to the future of emergency management.
References used and for further information see:
Global Security.org. Weapons of Mass Destruction: F. E. Warren
Air Force Base. http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/warren.htm.
Counter Terrorism Public Report to Governor Geringer. November 21,
2001. http://72.14.207.104/search?q=cache:YQGf-PO4qD4J:attorneygeneral.state.wy.us/Rpt%2520to%2520Gov%2520from%2520CT%2520Comm%25201119.pdf+Wyoming+emergency+planning+legislation&hl=en.