A case study is a comprehensive and in-depth examination of a particular subject, often within its real-life context. It serves as a methodological tool to explore, analyze, and understand complex issues or phenomena, ranging from individual experiences to organizational challenges. Typically employed in various academic disciplines, business settings, and scientific research, a case study involves an extensive investigation that aims to provide a detailed account of the subject under scrutiny. By delving into the intricate details of a specific case, researchers can uncover valuable insights, draw conclusions, and offer practical solutions. This method offers a holistic approach, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted factors influencing the subject, making it an invaluable tool for gaining knowledge and informing decision-making processes.
Q12. There is a disaster prone state having frequent landslides, forest fires, cloudbursts, flash floods and earthquakes, etc. Some of these are seasonal and often unpredictable. The magnitude of the disaster is always unanticipated. During one of the seasons a cloudburst caused devastating floods and landslides leading to high casualties. There was major damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges and power generating units. This led to more than 100000 pilgrims, tourists and other locals trapped across different routes and locations. The people trapped in your area of responsibility include senior citizens, patients in hospitals, women and children, hikers, tourists, ruling parties, regional presidents along with his family, additional chief secretary of the neighboring state and prisoners in jail.
As a civil services officer of the state, what would be the order in which you would rescue these people and why? Give Justifications. (200 Words, 20 Marks)
Tags: Case Studies
Case Summary:
I am the civil service officer of the disaster-prone state. Th cloudburst caused devastating floods and landslides leading to high casualties along with major damage to infrastructure. The people trapped in my area of responsibility include people from varying vulnerability groups.
Stakeholders: Civil Services Officer, senior citizens, patients in hospitals, women and children, hikers, tourists, ruling parties, regional presidents along with their family, Additional Chief Secretary of the neighboring state and prisoners in jail.
Ethical Issues/Ethical Dilemmas: Leverage to the political-backed people, Dilemma of rescuing people in different vulnerability groups, Maintaining an environment of calm, Avoiding Panic.
The natural disasters can occur in any area and at times lead to serious casualties. In the above case, the disaster has resulted in major damage to infrastructure like roads, bridges and power generating units in the area. Due to this many people have got trapped in the region. It is the duty of the government to evacuate the people as the lives of human beings are important and while saving them discrimination cannot be done as all lives are equally important.
But the evacuation process is dependent on following factors:
- Vulnerability
- Accessibility
- Resource Availability
I will follow the following sequence for the rescue operation:
- 1) Patients in Hospitals
- They are highly vulnerable during disasters, because of their inability to take care of themselves. So , they should be rescued first,even before women and children.
- Since their number is less and the position is known, it will be easy for the relief team to evacuate them with fewer effort.
- 2) Senior Citizens
- They are valuable members of society, and cannot be left without help for too long because they are physically as well as emotionally feeble.
- They are also vulnerable because of their age and have a tendency to be left behind by the people. Thus, priority shall be given to them.
- 3) Women and Children
- Children are our future generation, and hence they must be rescued first of all.
- Women and Children are highly vulnerable during disasters, not just physically but emotionally as well.
- 4) Prisoners in jail
- Since they are in jail, their mobility is highly restricted because of the structure of the institution. This makes them vulnerable in disaster situations and there’s a chance that they may get stuck and lose their lives.
- Even though they are prisoners, they are still human beings. So, they must be rescued, considering their vulnerability.
- But provisions must be made for them to not take advantage of the situation and escape in the less capacity of the administration.
- 5) Tourists
- Because they lack any means to tackle the disaster themselves and are also unaware of the topography of the area, they have to be rescued next. Since they know very little about the local conditions and may lack acquaintances in the region, efforts should be made to mobilize them for their evacuation.
- But, since they are healthy, they can wait till other more vulnerable people are rescued.
- 6) Ruling party’s Regional President with his family
- Since he has political linkages and resources of his party at his disposal, he can mobilize workers and use additional resources for the aid of administration at the time of a disaster and help in disaster management.
- He can also make temporary arrangements for the safety of his family in that capacity till other vulnerable people are rescued.
- But since he has a family with him, which includes women and children, I will rescue them after the elderly have been rescued while the President himself can wait until others above him on the vulnerability priority list are rescued.
- 7) Chief Secretary of other state
- He has been well trained to handle situations like these, hence this priority level for him.
- Also, he can help in rescue operations since he has experience in this regard and also is dutifully bound for his services.
- 8) Hikers
- Being physically fit and well trained and equipped to tackle these situations and also the challenging terrain, they can be risked to rescue at the last.
- They can also help in the rescue operation and can wait till others are rescued and are safe.
So, I will conduct the rescue operation according to the above mentioned priority list. However, in some cases, simultaneous rescue missions can be launched for different categories as they are not mutually exclusive.
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