Читать книгу Disaster Response and Recovery - David A. McEntire - Страница 100
2.2.8 Utility Restoration and Community Reconstruction
ОглавлениеBusinesses are overwhelmingly responsible for the infrastructure that is impacted by disasters or terrorist attacks (Hayes and Ebinger, 2011). Major windstorms, earthquakes and other hazards such as bombings damage and destroy utilities, homes and other buildings. Phone and electrical poles may be downed in a disaster. Water and gas lines can be severed. Hundreds and even millions of people may be left with limited or no services as we saw after the 2021 ice storm in Texas. Utility companies will therefore put their own employees to work or contract with others ‐ even competitors or those far from the affected area ‐ to get lines restored quickly. For example, Duke Power (based in North Carolina) sent workers to help Entergy (a New Orleans’ utility provider) restore service in the affected areas after Hurricane Katrina. In many cases, these employees will work long hours and around the clock in various shifts to reestablish utilities. Without their assistance, it would be impossible to respond successfully, speed up recovery or resume routine activities quickly. Electricity, for example, is required for emergency lighting, shelter operations and the sharing of public information. Power is also essential if homes, businesses and government facilities are to be rebuilt. The help of concrete companies, framers, plumbers and many others are likewise needed to rebuild communities after disasters. In addition, the private sector also rebuilds roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure. As can be seen, utility and construction companies play a vital role in rebuilding and economic development following a disaster. Coordination with these organizations is a must for emergency managers and other public officials.