Emergency services perform the function of preventing hazards and natural disasters, as well as charge within acceptable limits for the non-observance of the safety rules concerning accidents. The management of emergency services is aimed at promoting security and the ability of society to cope with dangers. The control is performed through the integration of all activities, coordination and preparation, as well as fast response and recovery. In order to analyze the work of all emergency services, it is possible to design a visual example of such an agency. This paper will define how it should look and work, how and in what form it should be controlled, how to make people sure about the effectiveness of such services and how to make them a reality.
Firstly, an emergency service must operate under the following principles:
The principle of progressivity means that the emergency service workers must be able to anticipate future emergencies and to take preventing measures. This principle involves the study of natural disasters to identify the most private and intense emergency situations. For example, in our times it is the increased risk of terrorist acts and violated environmental safety. For these reasons, emergency services should take preventive measures to mitigate undesirable consequences. Taking into account increasing risks, the staff of all emergency services should have think strategically and pragmatically.
Comprehensive principle assumes that experts can review and assess all hazards and their effects in order to prevent them. Integrated management is the use of all emergency functions in order to cope with the emergency. It involves identifying all hazards, all impacts, and in some cases – stakeholders. These developments should ensure a plan of action for the emergency services. Specialists must always be fully ready and focused on an effective emergency response.
The principle of integration presupposes the unification of all efforts at the state and public administration levels. The principle uses universal approaches to threats and dangers, as well as controls. The use of unity means that all funding needs to be integrated with the activities of the government at the local level.
The principle of cooperation means that the specialists of emergency services create and maintain communication among individuals and organizations on a confidential basis. This principle involves maintaining an atmosphere among the team in the form of consensus and communication. Professionals need to know the merits of its functions and responsibilities to solve the task quickly. Thus, this emergency service is considered an organizational structure, which is characterized by unity and cooperation between all experts.
The principle of flexibility means using various creative methods to deal with disasters. Professionals have different responsibilities so that they can make a flexible response system. This principle implies the development of creative and comprehensive solutions in order to achieve the goal. The main function is the assessment of risk and vulnerability and the development of specific strategies that can reduce or eliminate the risks.
The principle of professionalism is the commitment of professionals to emergency management as a profession. Education and professionalism are required for the participation in emergency services. Additionally, professionals should adhere to ethics, which means that their behavior should be respectful and purposeful. Employees of the emergency services should possess certification and qualification, because knowledge is important for the emergency service worker.
Therefore, it is possible to create a visual example of such emergency agency as a fire service. To ensure that the agency has credible people, it should be aware that each person is an integral part of the state and requires protection and assistance in emergency situations, especially during fire. On this basis, the emergency workers should be responsible for protecting individuals and families during similar incidents. Helping the needy and preventing serious consequences, such as health damage, property damage and even death should be the main aims of all employees of the emergency agencies.
For the work of the emergency services to be effective, there should be a clear plan of action and rapid response to all possible accidents. In addition, it is necessary to develop a clear system of notification. It means that in the event of fire, people should be free to call the emergency services, and rapid response services should have at least 10 phone lines. The next factor is alerting workers about the call. For this reason, all employees should be divided into teams. In the case of a call, the operator informs the team about the check-out. In turn, the team must always be ready. Each fire department must have all necessary equipment for firefighting and evacuating people. Every employee should be aware of all safety rules and must undergo the training.
In order to achieve recognition and confidence of people, periodic public meetings need to be held. These meeting should inform people about potential fire dangers. In order to protect people from possible accidents, all the safety rules, the consequences of a possible fire, evacuation procedures and conduct during the incident should be explained. In order for fire service workers to respond quickly in case there is fire, especially in public places, schools, kindergartens, smoke detectors have to be installed. Properly installed broadcasters may reduce or prevent the spreading of fire even before the arrival of the fire service. In addition, the evacuation plan should be hanging in all public areas in the most prominent places.
Besides the usual city fires, the fire agency should pay attention to the wild fires. Wild fires occur in the forests and fields. In order to avoid them, the fire service should pay special attention to this issue and take precautionary measures. Such measures are:
The employee of the fire service must be a highly qualified specialist. In addition, it should be someone who is willing to risk his life for saving others. In order to become a firefighter, training is required. Learning occurs within 15 weeks at the fire academy. Besides, a person who wants to become a firefighter must have reached 18 (21) years of age and be well-developed physically. Moreover, workers need to be very careful in their choice. During the probationary period the main emphasis should be directed to dexterity, endurance and muscle strength of a firefighter. The first indicator is firefighter’s ability to climb a fire escape. Anyone wishing to become a firefighter undergoes various physical tests. These tests determine the person’s readiness for the intended work in the fire service.
Therefore, visual analysis of the created fire service is necessary. Firstly, in order to provide effective emergency service, it is necessary to be very responsible with the recruitment of firefighters. They are a key element of the emergency service. Firefighters need to be educated and well-prepared physically. Secondly, in order to gain the trust and recognition of people, the fire service must do everything to prevent the possibility of fire. In addition, in the event of an emergency, the service must respond to the call in time to prevent tragic consequences. Thirdly, an integral attribute of every fire service is equipment. Without properly functioning equipment, emergency service will not be able to help in the case of an accident. In the end, an ideal fire department must do everything possible to prevent fire or eliminate it very quickly. Lastly, in order to make such agency a reality, huge efforts are required. Additional needed element is state’s support, especially financial. Organization of such emergency service is expensive, so it is possible to attract individual investors. In general, having the means and desire, it is possible and even necessary to form such emergency service.
