Hazards Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hazards - Essay Example Because of the large area that the fire covered, as many as 563 fire personnel, 39 fire engines, 20 fire crews, a helicopter, five dozers, up to nine water tenders, and four fire departments were working side-by-side in order to put a large fire under control. The management responses as well as recovery efforts were deemed successful because compared to other reported incidents in areas up to 400% smaller, the time spent in managing the fire in Flynn Creek Road was comparable in brevity, considering the large area where the wild fire occurred. California Wild Fires as Environmental Hazards Fires have been an integral part of ecosystems and human societies for as long as history has been known. When properly used, it can give a lot of benefits such as clearing lands for agriculture, oxidizing all possibly flammable organic materials, hastening the decomposition process of detritus, and inducing growth in forests (Omi, 2005). However, when fires are left to burn on their own and uncon trolled in rural or woodland areas, fired could gain enough power to destroy nearby buildings, acres of land, or large parts of forest areas, causing numerous damage not just in human settlements but also in the natural environment as well. Thus, it is essential that fires occurring in places that contain many flammable materials and things such as forests and woodlands be controlled as much as possible in order to prevent damages (Omi, 2005). One of the most well-known places often seen in news having reported incidents of uncontrolled fires is the State of California. Fire ecology has been most extensively studied in California, mainly due to its numerous and diverse ecosystems (Sugihara et al., 2009). Wildfires occurring during the hot summer months have been reported as a part of the complex interactions between the environment, the atmosphere, and the climate of California. Due to the natural occurrence of fires in its forests, many plants in California have evolved into fire-t olerant species, some of which even need the fires to complete their life cycles (Sugihara et al., 2009). Still, these wild fires are still needed to be controlled because aside from the potential dangers posed to humans and settlements, entire ecosystems could also get wiped out, disrupting the balance of nature. It is good to know that the number of ignitions reported each year is less important than the size of the area burned, due to the wild fires being controlled at the earliest time possible (Omi, 2005). The knowledge that wild fires are attended to by the Fire Departments give assurance to residents not just in California but also in other places that most wild fires are stopped before extending over larger areas. In one of the most recent reported and managed wild fires by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CAL FIRE, a large area had to be attended by numerous fire personnel in order for the fire to be controlled at the least time possible. In Men docino County in California, an area 195 acres and enclosed by Flynn Creek Road and the Comptche Ukiah Road near the Comptche Community caught fire October 1, at around 2:20 PM (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CAL FIRE, 2012). It was fully controlled October 4, at around 6:15 PM, 75 hours after it was first reported. Despite

Drivers influencing changes to the supply chain management Essay

Drivers influencing changes to the supply chain management - Essay Example Nevertheless despite such investments, challenges abound. It is therefore a process that requires continuous improvement anchored in the core philosophy of an organization. Introduction In order to gain a competitive advantage in the international supply chain process, it is imperative to match the various value adding activities in the chain with the comparative advantages realized in the different sectors that make up the entire chain. Indeed, supply chain management has become an important determinant of the success of any industry and business. In this regard, companies across the world are seeking the best ways to enhance the efficiency and performance of their supply chains. In this regard, supply chain managers are increasingly facing challenges involved in the three areas of supply chain process: procurement, processing and distribution. Managing supply chains in the present world is certainly a fluid process. While globalization increases the opportunities for businesses acr oss the world it also increases the risks involved. In this regard, any company operating beyond one border must understand the critical need to effectively manage its supply chain process. Supply chain management is no longer conducted behind the scenes. ... in electronic invoicing, automated notifications, computerized shipping ad tracking in addition to a wide range of new applications which are intended to enhance efficiency in the supply chains. The focus of all these changes is always to cut down costs and streamline the expenses realized by companies. In addition, the management philosophy employed within an organization largely determines the success of its SCM. It is important for the leadership to regard supply chain as a competitive advantage. The leadership should have a clear understanding of the capacity and strengths of the supply chain and how it affects growth, customer service and profitability of the organization (Neef, 2004). Other organizations usually consider the option of outsourcing their supply chain management in order to create efficiency. In this regard, the management philosophy of an organization with respect to its supply chains greatly determines the success of the process (Fredendall & Hill, 2001). Global ization and Supply Chain Management In the past few decades, the growth of the global economy and the global marketplace has influenced both consumers and industries alike. Through globalization, the business environment has become more competitive and connected. As such both opportunities and threats have increased. The hitherto existing barrier of distance has been eliminated through new technology and more efficient communication channels. Today, there is a greater networking across organizations mostly driven by the efficient transportation and logistics realized today (Ayers, 2007). Businesses operating in such a global economy have many options on how and where they can produce their products, which markets to sell to and how to interact and communicate to their suppliers and