1. MEXICO’S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: MORE NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT
Heriberto Urby, Ph.D.
FEMA HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE
June 2011

2. Outline of Presentation
Introduction
Significant hazards and vulnerability in Mexico
Major disaster history – three of top 100 worst disasters
Law and organization
Emergency management activities
Lessons for other countries
Conclusion and Recommendations

3. INTRODUCTION
More serious, intense, and frequent disasters are expected, especially in densely-populated urban areas
Mexico must continue to bring its emergency management system to standards necessary for humankind in the 21st century

4. Significant hazards and vulnerabilities
Earthquakes
Tornadoes
Floods
Wildfires
Droughts
Mudslides
Tsunamis
Gas Explosions

5. Major disaster history
3 worst disasters among world’s top 100 have occurred in Mexico
Attitudes of fatalism are still strong
Mexico’s large urban areas are permanently on the verge of disaster

6. Law and Organization Major emergency management laws of this nation
Systems of Civil Protection, etc.
Mexico’s organizational structure
Highly bureaucratic and hierarchical (i.e., vertical) organizational chart for emergency management

7. Emergency management activities
Mitigation – better land use planning; educating the public (especially children) about hazards and ways to not only reduce but also prevent
risk
Preparedness – developed response procedures, installation of warning systems, evacuations plans, simulation exercises, and training of emergency personnel
Response – bring damaged services and systems back online, search and rescue, food and shelter programs, how to better deal with emergent groups
Recovery – help restore normal operations to the community fast and effectively. Restoration of power, water and other municipal services

8. (Negative) Lessons Learned
Many first responders are not certified; this can (and often does) create a disaster-within-a-disaster.
Collaboration among emergency managers in the past has been very minimal (i.e., more collaboration is needed).
Public intervention needed to protect life, livelihood, and property has been insufficient, erratic, and late in coming (Puente, 1999).

9. (Positive) Lessons Learned
Prevention, through reduction of vulnerability, may contribute to the creation of a culture of safety.
If professionalism in EM
is improved, emergency
managers’ effectiveness
will increase.

10. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Mexico’s EM system has
improved in last 2-3 decades;
more to 21st century standards,
however more progress is needed
Encourage participation in
“simulacros,” and more
collaborative public-private
endeavors
The government could afford more incentives and opportunities to enhance public participation in the EM system

11. THANK YOU!
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