An integrative approach to disaster management and planning

Although it is possible to prevent and contain both man made and natural disasters, it has to be said that the increase in the world's population is likely to increase further the frequency of a major disaster occurring. Disaster management and planning needs to be placed in a holistic setting, and new initiatives found in order to ensure that a disaster is viewed as a shared responsibility. One area that needs further attention is the concept of community policing and what community policing incorporates. Often, a disaster is on such a scale that local community leaders need to be consulted during the disaster limitation and containment stage. It is essential, therefore, that experts from overseas countries brought into the disaster arena, are able to communicate fully and openly with community leaders in order to gain the support of the community.