Framework for Implementing and Measuring Interoperability and Organizational Change Within and Across a Multi-service and Multi-agency Emergency Response System

Abstract

Introduction:The Australian Capital Territory Emergency Services Agency (ESA) has experienced a significantly increased burden of training and most significantly recurrent major emergency response events correlated with increased bushfire and extreme weather events since 2019. ACT ESA is required to provide comprehensive pre-hospital paramedic, firefighting, and emergency response support to the population of the Australian Capital Territory on a day-by-day basis (business as usual) but also surge to meet extraordinary demand. Historically, operational roles and functional areas within ACT ESA have worked largely autonomously under business-as-usual conditions. Under crisis or disaster conditions, these sub-agencies are required to work harmoniously together and alongside external agencies such as Australian Defense Force and Australian Federal Police. ACT ESA have identified that interoperability and integration between internal ACT ESA sub-agencies and externally with other agencies is a key problem. From 2023-2027 ACT ESA has committed to a program of organizational change to address this problem.Method:An organizational change plan focusing on improving interoperability and integration was developed using the Generalized Method for Measuring Interoperability and Continuous Quality Improvement frameworks. A comprehensive framework for measuring organizational change and the effectiveness of interventions across multiple workplace domains, based on Kirkpatrick’s approach, was developed through a co-design process between academia and the ACT ESA.Results:The ACT ESA change management framework, research, and implementation plan is presented here, alongside the results of preliminary stakeholder and professional engagement activities providing early feedback, adjustment and evolution.Conclusion:The ACT ESA is in a unique position within the Australian emergency response landscape having a much greater degree of centralized command, control, and coordination. Despite this advantage, it has identified interoperability both within the organization and with key partnering organizations as a problem. This study outlines how the ESA is approaching organizational change by applying systematic implementation and change management approaches.