Disaster management is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Requires interdisciplinary, collaborative team effort; network of agencies and individuals; planning creates a quicker and more efficient response, ensures resources are available, roles and responsibilities delineated
• B. Mock drills by local volunteers only
• C. Individual agency control and limited communication
• D. Focus solely on post-disaster recovery

Answer: (A)

Disaster management relies on interdisciplinary, collaborative teamwork across a network of agencies and individuals. Careful planning ensures resources are available, roles and responsibilities are clear, and response is faster and more efficient, with an incident command system guiding operations and mutual aid arrangements enabling sharing of assets. This comprehensive, integrated approach applies before, during, and after a disaster, not just after it occurs.

Mock drills by local volunteers only do not provide the coordinated expertise or access to specialized resources; giving one agency control with limited communication breaks down coordination; and focusing only on post-disaster recovery ignores the essential preparedness and rapid response components.