earticle

영어

Human history is a history of disasters: countries around the world have suffered from various disasters depending on their geographical and topographical conditions. Even the scientific and technological advancements, which have greatly contributed to civilization, could not save the humanity from continuing threats of natural disasters. In fact, they even turned into causes of new, anthropogenic disasters, threatening further progress of human development. Recently the Korean society has been facing serious national crises, such as North Korea’s provocation against Yeonpyeong Island and the epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease, which originated from North Gyeongsang Province. Crises like these have negative influence on the national economy and everyday lives of people. Insufficient management of crises and disasters plunge people into anxiety and generate systemic crisis accompanied by loss of lives and properties. Local governments’ role in disaster management is very important, since they are at the frontline of this task and have responsibility to protect the lives and properties of its residents. In addition, local governments must cover the cost that exponentially increases with the outbreak of crises like disaster. Against this backdrop, this study will examine whether Korean local governments responded to different disasters effectively. The disaster management organization of the local government should be expanded and rebuilt. The establishment of integrated local disaster management organization is required to effectively cope with prevention of the various emergencies and to cooperate the system between diverse divisions. And, disaster management personnel need continuous training and must keep fully apprised of all possible hazard effects, understand how these effects can affect their operations. Disaster management is more complex subject in the public sector. Obviously, there are many kinds of disasters. Rational handling of each kind requires different understanding about cause-effect nexuses, appropriate technology, and planning approaches. This complexity extends to planning for human resource requirement as well. Human resources mean people capable of performing formally and informally prescribed roles in governmental, private institution and also as citizens. Therefore, disaster manager and officials should be an expert in the field. The disaster managers and officials should take into account and understand the social, technical, legal and economic factors that are related to the various emergencies. For this purpose, in order for local government to be able to prevent and respond actively to hazards, it is essential to enhance specialization of local employees. Finally, The unified communication network and preliminary emergency communication network should be established among the disaster-related organizations and agencies.

한국어

재난관리에 있어 무엇보다도 중요한 것은 초동대응이다. 이러한 초동대응에 있어 가장 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있는 것이 지방자치단체이다. 그러나 우리나라 경우 지방자치단체가 재난대응에 핵심 역할을 수행하기에는 그 능력이 부족하고, 재난에 대처하기 위한 상시 인력과 물적 재원확보에 어려움이 따르다보니 더욱 어려운 형편이다. 이에 이 연구는 우리나라 지방자치단체의 재난관리체계에 대한 법제도적, 조직 및 인력적, 재정적, 거버넌스(협력적) 측면을 분석하고, 아울러 구제역 대응사례 분석을 통한 지방자치단체 재난관리체계의 문제점을 도출하고, 이에 대한 개선방안을 제시하고자 하였다. 결론적으로 향후 지방자치단체의 재난관리 시스템을 효과적으로 개선하기 위해서는 지방자치단체 차원에서도 부서 간 임무와 역할에 대해 명확한 정의 수립이 필요하고, 재난현장 대응자의 입장에서 지침 마련이 필요하며, 아울러 재난담당 공무원에 대한 사기진작과 적절한 교육훈련이 필요하다. 또한, 지방자치단체 재난대응 시스템을 효율적으로 운영하기 위해서는 무엇보다도 재난관리 서비스 제공에 필요한 예산의 충분성이 확보되어야 한다. 아울러, 합동대응을 위한 대응자원의 통합적 관리체계 구축이 필요하다. 이밖에도 재난 대응 사례의 평가를 통한 피드백을 상시 실시하여, 교훈을 얻는 자세가 필요할 것이다.