Respond to Discussion Question

The country selected for this discussion is United Kingdom. The emergency management structure in the United Kingdom is very similar to the United States as it relates to risk assessment and mitigation (Sylves, 2015). The United Kingdom also looks to mitigate and conduct risks assessments on all types of hazards. For example, just like in the United States, United Kingdom expects local governments to be first responders and handle the situation (Sylves, 2015). Risk assessment and mitigation is conducted at the local level in the United Kingdom. 

The similarities between both countries are both use local response as first responders to any disaster. Both countries have a version of emergency management in place. The differences in the emergency management structure between the countries selected are the United Kingdom believes that local governments should handle the situation or disaster until the local government can no longer handle it and then must request assistances from the central government who makes the decision to help or not (American Red Cross, 2012).  In the United States local governments are always the first responder but states must no longer be able to handle the disaster before the governor can ask for assistance.

The United Kingdom can teach lesson learned by looking at the issues the country has had in its emergency management. Some examples of this are local agencies being responsible for making their own plans, governments playing a more active role in emergency management. Failures of the country can be a great lesson learned.  

Sylves, R. (2015). Disaster policy and politics: Emergency management and homeland security (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: CQ Press. 

American Red Cross. (2012, January). International disaster response. Retrieved from http://www.redcross.org/what-we-do/international-services/responding-disasters- overseas

United States Agency for International Development, US Indian Ocean Tsunami          Warning System Program. (2007). Last mile warning communications inventory:         An on-the-ground assessment of Thailand’s tsunami early warning system.                 Retrieved from http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADY206.pdf

FEMA. (2011). FEMA’s international programs and activities. Retrieved from               http://www.fema.gov/femas-international-programs-activities