This section orients on how to identify the threats, risks and vulnerabilities in our daily lives. Often times since our daily life is a routine, we take for granted signs of dangers. We get used to the expectations of our daily processes that we do not realize that there are possible risks and that we are vulnerable to threats. Although there are obvious dangers, these are the predictable ones, even getting used to these scenarios has become our vulnerability. For some literature this section would often be called risk assessment, but since the discussion would be focused on our daily lives, this would more on processes, this would be much more of a business impact analysis than or a risk assessment.
Before we proceed, let us first define key terms such as threat, vulnerability and risk. The definition below is on a disaster perspective with reference to a subject.
Threat is the possibility of danger indifferent to a subject. e.g.: There is a threat of typhoon.
Vulnerable (vulnerability) is the susceptibility or exposure to dangers of a subject. e.g.: With the location of the house, it is vulnerable to landslide.
Risk is the possible amount of danger brought by threat to a subject. e.g.: There is a risk of people being buried alive should there be a landslide.
Although the terms threat and vulnerability each has its own definition, they are usually interchanged because of the similarities as being generally source of or exposure to dangers. With this in mind, let us simplify this section by using both as the same.
It does not matter if an incident has never occurred, it does not mean it will never happen.
When thinking of disasters, think of crazy scenarios, think of extremes, think of asteroids hitting the Earth or zombie attacks, think of the worst scenarios then plan.
NOTE: Again, the discussion here is not comprehensive. It might have some details the one might require but not to the level of the next section – DISASTER SCENARIOS AND RESPONSE. You might consider the contents as appropriate, but also that these are just samples, much extensive details are still to be provided.
In this discussion let us focus on our daily lives, where we live, where we work, how we get to the office, how we get home, our work, and all other regular processes or so called lives business as usual or so called BAU. Although this is focused on personal level, the concept may be used by groups or communities, companies or even non-living entities.