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nt (VBRC, 2009). Command operates vertically within an agency (Manock, 2006).

7.2 Control

Control involves the complete course of reactive conduct in an emergency situation. The dissemination of power to control is established in law or in an emergency response plan, and include the responsibility for co-ordinating other agencies in unity with the requirements of the emergency circumstances. Control refers to situations and operates horizontally across agencies (VBRC, 2009).

7.3 Co-ordination

Co-ordination involves the amalgamation and incorporation of command and control, in using the resources on hand at maximum efficiency. Co-ordination is important to ensure that the correct resources as well as the correct use of resources are managed and directed for the specific emergency purpose.

8.0 The Human Factor

8.1 Human responses to emergencies/ disasters: 5 myths & realities

There are quite a number of differing opinions and beliefs about the coping mechanisms and the ability to deal with emergency situations that the human society possesses during the disaster-response phase. Often many of these are over exaggerated stereo-types and are not completely reflective all aspects and traits of human nature. Popular culture, through movies, photo and literature have created a widely accepted notion that during emergency situations the human response is one of complete chaos, hysteria, despair, looting and all types of other harmful, anti-social behaviour (Manock, 2006).

There is 5 notable myths recognised within the EMG100 course CD-ROM (Manock, 2006), these are:

1. People panic during emergency events

The reality is, that panic occurs in exceptional emergency events, however is uncommon in disasters. Ordinary people involved in an emergency situation respond to the risk by undertaking the most sensible and available solution they can to not only save them, but also aid any others in distress. Panic is often triggered by the result of a combination of situational factors such as no escape, no information and no leadership (Manock, The human factor, 2006). It is important to distinguish between panic and errors made due to bewilderment and information on the situation faced, all of which can be fatal (Wraith, 1986).

2. People look after themselves with little or no regard for others

This is a misconception, which as discussed above, is often misrepresented in popular culture, through the acts of looting in the face of withering authority and emergency control and through an ?every man for himself? notion. In reality, it takes one glance at a real emergency event, such as the Haiti earthquakes or the recent Black Saturday fires, that should be fresh in everyone?s mind, to see that the incredible nature and instinct of human behaviour does not support this. While personal safety is the first stage of response in an emergency, once this need has been fulfilled, the safety and assistance to others is in most cases evident. Many people in emergency situations lose their own life, when attempting to save someone else?s, this has happened in recent weeks, twice in relation to ocean drowning situations.

3. Anti-social behaviour increases

The social coll