Emergency Management Sector Research Articles

Application of analytical hierarchy process for emergency managers selection

The selection of the most qualified staff for the performance of responsible duties in the field of emergency management is an extremely sensitive task. By excluding some external factors and focusing exclusively on the professional domain, the application of certain mathematical tools significantly facilitates the work of decision makers. One of the most commonly used tools for solving multi-criteria decision-making problems in the analytical decision-making approach is Analytical Hierarchy Process. Through the paper, the theoretical basis of this method is explained in more detail through the basic steps and the mathematical basis is described for easier understanding emphasizing advantages and disadvantages of the method. The application of the method is practically presented on the example of the selection of the best candidate for a management position in the emergency management sector.

A review of cognitive aids and their application to emergency management in Australia

Decision-making in disasters and major crises faced by emergency services globally is a difficult combination of science and art to master. To assist decision-makers in these environments, a number of cognitive aids have been developed and subsequently adopted by individuals and organisations alike. However, these aids vary according to their intent and the context in which they are intended to be applied. This review explores the use of cognitive aids in the context of emergency management and explores how existing knowledge regarding the use of cognitive aids from other industries may be translated to emergency management. An iterative literature review of academic and industry material related to cognitive aids during incident and crisis response across a broad range of international emergency service and other industries within the last 20 years was completed. Ultimately, cognitive aids are not a silver bullet when it comes to decision-making in the emergency management context. The correct tool (that is correctly designed) must be correctly applied by trained and competent end users. The Australian emergency management sector may benefit from future research exploring how these existing tools adhere to the good practice principles identified in this study.

Managing menstruation while deployed operationally: experiences from the Australian emergency management sector

The circumstances faced during emergency incidents are characteristically physical, situational or time-critical, but little is known about how people manage their periods in these extreme settings. This study examined the attitudes, experiences and practices of managing menstruation by emergency services personnel in Australia while deployed operationally. Using a mixed-methods approach, a survey (n=287) collected data about operational roles, period characteristics, period management during operations and period stigmatisation. The findings show that navigating and solving the intersections between periods and the demanding circumstances of deployment is given substantial consideration by people who menstruate. Participants actively found solutions to the various routines, etiquettes and discomforts of menstruation to maintain service to their operational roles, despite problematic influences of period character and menstrual symptoms, menstrual products, hygiene, toileting, privacy and stigmatisation. Such self- determination suggests identity formation as competent first responders who also menstruate. However, externalities of menstruation that could be better accommodated in operational settings include toileting, bodily hygiene, field privacy, menstrual product supplies, used product disposal or cleaning, support, education and training. Attention to menstrual health in workplaces is increasing and should become a normalised aspect of emergency services.

Inter-organizational collaboration after institutional reform in China: A perspective based on the revision of the emergency plan

In an era marked by increasingly complex risks and extreme disasters, nations are progressively leaning towards inter-organizational collaboration as a means to adapt and respond effectively. Guided by the principles of holistic governance and comprehensive emergency management, the establishment of comprehensive coordination institutions has emerged as a vital strategy for enhancing a country’s emergency response capabilities. Nevertheless, the transformation of inter-organizational cooperation networks following institutional reform remains shrouded in ambiguity. This research, employing a blend of quantitative and qualitative analyses within a network theory framework, delves into the shifts within inter-organizational cooperation networks subsequent to institutional reform. By scrutinizing the evolution of emergency plan networks at provincial, municipal, and county levels before and after China’s institutional reform and drawing insights from emergency plan revision personnel, this study unveils a noteworthy trend. Specifically, the inter-organizational collaboration network in China’s emergency management sector has gravitated towards a unified command model, fostering heightened cross-functional cooperation and optimizing network structure. The findings of this study not only shed light on the post-reform dynamics of inter-organizational cooperation networks in China but also offer valuable insights for other countries and regions seeking to develop effective emergency management systems. As the global landscape continues to evolve, understanding and adapting to these changes in network dynamics becomes imperative for bolstering disaster response capabilities worldwide.

Bio-Terrorism Incidents: Nigeria Awareness and Preparedness

Biological agents are microorganisms or their products that can be potentially applied in biological warfare. The use of biological agents as weapons in conflicts has been prevalent throughout history. With the increase in terrorism incidents globally and within the Nigerian environment, as well as the graduation of terrorist groups from their previous objectives of fighting governments to inflicting mass damage and national carnage, bioterrorism actions are becoming a possibility that Nigeria needs to be aware and prepare for. The anthrax-laden letter attacks in the USA in 2001 led to realization of the possibilities of, and dangers posed in bioterrorism actions, and increased investment in preparedness for a potential bioterrorism attack by the US and other developed nations. Defending the nation against possible events involving such agents obviously requires being prepared. The Nigerian security and emergency management sector seem to be totally unprepared for most emergency situations, and therefore may not cope in the face of a biological attack, leading to the increase in spread and effects of such incidents. This article aims to look at the challenges posed to emergency preparedness for potential biological incidents in Nigeria and outline steps that can be taken to prepare for them.

Under pressure: developing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) inclusive emergency services

Presenting the results from a survey exploring the understanding by emergency services personnel of the specific needs of LGBTI people before, during and after emergencies. The survey is part of a larger project assisting the emergency management sector to develop LGBTI-inclusive practices.

A qualitative study of emergency management considerations for big-bodied people in Aotearoa New Zealand

Due to their circumstances and resources before, during and following disaster events, some people have higher risk of harm in disaster requiring specific disaster planning considerations. The prevalence of big bodied people (BBP) is increasing in many countries and BBP are potentially at higher risk in disasters in direct relation to their size, shape and weight. This study explores planning considerations by emergency management, health, humanitarian and resource sector (EMs) for BBP in New Zealand. Qualitative semi structured interviews explore EM considerations particular to BBP. A purposive sampling recruitment technique was employed. Fifteen EM individuals were interviewed in-person or via Zoom between July 2018–April 2021. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Data were thematically analysed. Five themes were identified: Prioritising People; Overlooked and left behind; Whose job is it anyway?; Practical and resource issues; The way forward. Participants were readily able to identify a range of ‘groups’ likely to be at higher risk in disasters, however BBP were not identified as at-risk and no specific planning was in place. A one size approach was more likely to overlook specific needs of BBP with lack of clarity over who would be responsible for planning. While concerning that BBP were not currently included in planning, emergency managers were open to education. The EMs interviewed expressed a desire for information, education and training to build the knowledge base concerning this sector of the population.

Experiences of heat stress while homeless on hot summer days in Adelaide

Historically, heat waves have resulted in more Australian deaths than any other natural hazard and continue to present challenges to the health and emergency management sectors. While people experiencing homelessness are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of heat waves, little research has been reported about their hot weather experiences. This paper reports findings from interviews with 48 homeless people sleeping rough in Adelaide CBD on very hot days. While the majority reported drinking a litre or more of water in the previous 24 hours, 79% reported experiencing one or more heat stress symptoms. The research highlights that the protective actions people sleeping rough can take during hot weather are limited by their circumstances and may not be sufficient to prevent dehydration and heat stress. The levels of dehydration and heat stress symptoms suggest that immediate responses could include making drinking water more readily available. It may be helpful to provide information which highlights heat stress symptoms including indicators of dehydration. The role of outreach in providing connections, support and advice is most likely to ameliorate the risk of heat stress. However, the long-term response to protect people from heat stress is access to housing.

Indigenous peoples and natural hazard research, policy and practice in southern temperate Australia: an agenda for change

Engaging with Indigenous peoples is clearly on the agenda of natural hazard leaders in southern Australia, but there is very little research, policy or practical experience to support this work. Indeed, with a few important exceptions, natural hazard organisations and research institutions have had little engagement with Indigenous peoples, their organisations or research priorities or protocols. While there are substantial gaps in the research evidence, it is important to start identifying the issues at hand and consider what might be done in response. This paper provides a brief overview of the fraught relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in Australia and some common misunderstandings. The paper includes specific suggestions for current research, policy and practice, noting that natural hazard agencies and research institutions are influential and closely related. It is clear there are challenges. However, changing practice is essential to foster more respectful terms between Indigenous peoples and Australia’s natural hazard and emergency management sector.

The Impact of the Storm Prediction Center's Convective Outlooks and Watches on Emergency Management Operational Planning

For many emergency managers (EMs) and National Weather Service (NWS) forecasters, Convective Outlooks issued by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) influence the preparation for near-term severe weather events. However, research into how and when EMs utilize that information, and how it influences their emergency operations plan, is limited. Therefore, to better understand how SPC Convective Outlooks are used for severe weather planning, a survey was conducted of NWS core partners in the emergency management sector. The results show EMs prefer to wait until an Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms is issued to prepare for severe weather. In addition, the Day 2 Convective Outlook serves as the threshold for higher, value-based decision making. The survey was also used to analyze how the issuance of different risk levels in SPC Convective Outlooks impact emergency management preparedness compared to preparations conducted when a Convective Watch is issued.

Realizacija besprekidnog napajanja komandno-upravljačkog centra u sistemu OOiU

The emergency and notification warning system has the task to, in accordance with legal regulations, rules and observances, perform all necessary measures in order to monitoring, inform, and if necessary, partial or general public alerting of the population in the endangered area. The emergency and notification warning system, which is, among other things, very important for the Emergency management sector of the Republic Serbia, is managed from the command-control center. The importance of this system is evidenced by the fact that it has data transmission on two transmission paths (WiFi and UHF). Based on the above, it follows that it is very important to ensure robust, reliable and uninterrupted operation of the CCC and thus the smooth operation of the emergency and notification warning system. Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) plays a significant role in ensuring reliable, uninterrupted and autonomous operation of the entire system. The role of BPN is very important, because in case of loss of mains power 230 V, 50 Hz, it should take over the power supply of the system. The control system should provide a very fast switching (switching time ≤10 ms) to the backup power supply without interruption and voltage failure of the entire system. When working on a battery bank, the autonomy of the designed system in the absence of mains power is 48 hours. The paper will present the practical implementation of such a system, as well as the experimental results obtained during the operational commissioning of the UPS system. The solution is in use in the CCC-Valjevo of the emergency and notification warning system, starting from June 30, 2020.

Civil society mobilisation after Cyclone Tracy, Darwin 1974

ABSTRACT Major disasters challenge or exceed the capacity of the official emergency management sector to provide needed rescue services, support and relief. Emergency services in most jurisdictions do not have the surge capacity for unusual or extreme events without drawing on other jurisdictions or local people from outside the formal emergency management organisations. In such circumstances, those in the affected area need to organise themselves and make maximum use of local resources to cope with the immediate aftermath of impact. To find the required surge capacity, this suggests a whole of society response with the official system working with the capacities of people, commerce and organisations outside the emergency sector. An example is provided by the destruction of the northern Australian capital city of Darwin by Cyclone Tracy in December 1974. Informal volunteering and emergent leadership in Darwin and across Australia were critical to the immediate response and relief. Volunteering was widespread and worked well alongside official emergency management. With today’s information and communication technologies and a strong national resilience narrative, we would expect to do at least as well. However, governments now exercise much more control over civil society. We examine the implications for surge capacity and adaptability.

A Pilot Forecasting System for Epidemic Thunderstorm Asthma in Southeastern Australia

AbstractIn November 2016, an unprecedented epidemic thunderstorm asthma event in Victoria, Australia, resulted in many thousands of people developing breathing difficulties in a very short period of time, including 10 deaths, and created extreme demand across the Victorian health services. To better prepare for future events, a pilot forecasting system for epidemic thunderstorm asthma (ETSA) risk has been developed for Victoria. The system uses a categorical risk-based approach, combining operational forecasting of gusty winds in severe thunderstorms with statistical forecasts of high ambient grass pollen concentrations, which together generate the risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma. This pilot system provides the first routine daily epidemic thunderstorm asthma risk forecasting service in the world that covers a wide area, and integrates into the health, ambulance, and emergency management sector. Epidemic thunderstorm asthma events have historically occurred infrequently, and no event of similar magnitude has impacted the Victorian health system since. However, during the first three years of the pilot, 2017–19, two high asthma presentation events and four moderate asthma presentation events were identified from public hospital emergency department records. The ETSA risk forecasts showed skill in discriminating between days with and without health impacts. However, even with hindsight of the actual weather and airborne grass pollen conditions, some high asthma presentation events occurred in districts that were assessed as low risk for ETSA, reflecting the challenge of predicting this unusual phenomenon.

Decision-making at the sharp end: a survey of literature related to decision-making in humanitarian contexts

In a humanitarian response, leaders are often tasked with making large numbers of decisions, many of which have significant consequences, in situations of urgency and uncertainty. These conditions have an impact on the decision-maker (causing stress, for example) and subsequently on how decisions get made.Evaluations of humanitarian action suggest that decision-making is an area of weakness in many operations. There are examples of important decisions being missed and of decision-making processes that are slow and ad hoc. As part of a research process to address these challenges, this article considers literature from the humanitarian and emergency management sectors that relates to decision-making. It outlines what the literature tells us about the nature of the decisions that leaders at the country level are taking during humanitarian operations, and the circumstances under which these decisions are taken. It then considers the potential application of two different types of decision-making process in these contexts: rational/analytical decision-making and naturalistic decision-making. The article concludes with broad hypotheses that can be drawn from the literature and with the recommendation that these be further tested by academics with an interest in the topic.

Navigating authority and legitimacy when ‘outsider’ volunteers co-produce emergency management services

ABSTRACT This paper examines the thorny issue of authority and legitimacy in relation to ‘outsider’ emergency volunteering within the context of the community resilience policy agenda. Outsider emergency volunteering is any volunteering that: (a) aims to assist communities in any aspect of disaster preparedness, response, relief and recovery, and (b) is not registered with or under the direction of a formally recognised emergency management organisation (EMO). Hence, it does not have clear grounds to establish its authority and legitimacy within the formal authorising environment of the emergency management sector. The paper draws on co-production theory to examine how three important challenges for establishing authority and legitimacy were navigated in four Australian cases of co-production involving outsider emergency volunteering. Given the rise of resilience in disaster policy and the changing nature of volunteering in modern society, the very formalised and defined foundations of authority and legitimacy in emergency management will need to soften and expand to become more networked and distributed. The four cases described here shed some light on what softer and expanded foundations for authority and legitimacy can look like and the processes that can support them in the emergency management context.

In What Ways Does Australian Emergency Management Reflect the Criteria of a Profession?

Introduction:The term “profession” to describe the people who carry out emergency management (EM) in Australia continues to gain momentum. Many emergency managers see themselves and are seen by others as professionals, yet little evidence exists to confirm this proposition. Unlike other professions, there is no peak body or overarching organization in Australia to help the diverse group of emergency managers to identify standards of performance and to lobby decision-makers on their behalf.Aim:This study identifies criteria that define a profession and considers how the emergency management sector in Australia reflects them.Methods:A literature review and review of established professions informed criteria of what constitutes a profession. Using these criteria, a survey was conducted to identify the demographic profiles of Australian emergency managers, their perception of the criteria of a profession, and their attitudes towards professionalization of their sector. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a representative sample. Ethics approval was obtained.Results:A set of criteria for an EM context in Australia was created. 859 emergency managers in Australia were surveyed using an online questionnaire. No common profile emerged from the survey in terms of age, gender, background, expertise, skills, or experience. Likewise, no clear career path, no clearly defined standard training, no universal standards of performance, and no statutory certification to qualify an emergency manager as a professional were revealed. Participants variously identified some of the necessary criteria of a profession, but no uniformity emerged.Discussion:This unique study concludes that the sector is not yet in a position to regard emergency management as a profession. Recommendations suggest steps be taken in the short- and long-term to facilitate the establishment of EM as a profession and identifies further research to inform the journey towards professionalizing the emergency management sector.

Extreme floods and river values: A social–ecological perspective

AbstractThe social–ecological status of rivers is particularly pronounced during extreme flood events. Extreme floods are a substantial threat to people, infrastructure, and livelihoods. Efforts to address the threats of extreme floods are aligned largely with social values of flood risk mitigation, flood preparation, and avoidance of loss. However, extreme floods are also a fundamental driver of river ecosystems, aligned with ecological (biophysical) values of event effectiveness, river change, disturbance, biotic response, and heterogeneity. A survey of the public perceptions of extreme floods revealed that participants generally understood the ecological values of extreme floods through concepts of naturalness, climate change, and knowledge production. However, participants had less understanding of how river integrity might influence the response of rivers to extreme floods. Resilience can be used as a framework for uniting the social and ecological values of extreme floods because it embodies a common language of change, disturbance, and adaptation and complements the socially dominated discourse of risk and emergency management. Three strategies are given for river scientists to frame ecological values in parallel with the paradigms of the socially dominated discourse of extreme floods: be prepared to act following an extreme flood disaster, learn and use the language of the flood risk and emergency management sector, and undertake assessments of the ecological values of extreme floods to highlight the threats to those values that may occur with climate change and river modification.

Towards personalised public warnings: harnessing technological advancements to promote better individual decision-making in the face of disasters

ABSTRACTOfficial warnings are essential for informing the public of impending hazards and promoting their responses before a disaster occurs. However, research has identified that traditional public warnings, such as generic text messages based on large geographic regions, often fail to promote appropriate responses by at-risk residents. Recently, there has been an increased focus on using map-based approaches for communicating public warnings. However, a systematic framework to guide the design of effective mapping instruments for this purpose is lacking. The researchers sought to fill this gap by merging the scholarly understanding of factors influencing warning effectiveness with the contemporary spatial capacities of the emergency management sector. The current paper presents the conceptual framework resulting from this merger, which can be used to direct the design and implementation of map-based warnings that offer personalised risk visualisation and provide personalised decision support to motivate appropriate responses. An example is then provided to illustrate how this framework can be applied for the development of personalised bushfire warnings in an Australian context. Underpinned by webGIS technologies, the proposed framework shows a potentially ground-breaking approach to improve public warning communication by fostering more efficient and effective risk personalisation and response related decision-making by individuals.

Synergising Public Health Concepts with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: A Conceptual Glossary.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015) is a global strategy for addressing disaster risk and resilience that has been ratified by member countries of the United Nations. Its guiding principles emphasise building resilience through inter-sectoral collaboration, as well as partnerships that facilitate community empowerment and address underlying risk factors. Both public health and the emergency management sector face similar challenges related to developing and implementing strategies that involve structural change, facilitating community resilience and addressing individual risk factors. Familiarity with public health principles enables an understanding of the holistic approach to risk reduction that is outlined within the Sendai Framework. We present seven concepts that resonate with contemporary public health practice, namely: the social determinants of health; inequality and inequity; the inverse care law; community-based and community development approaches; hard to reach communities and services; the prevention paradox; and the inverse prevention law. These ideas from public health provide a useful conceptual base for the ”new” agenda in disaster risk management that underpins the 2015 Sendai Framework. The relevance of these ideas to disaster risk management and research is illustrated through drawing on the Sendai Framework, disaster literature and exemplars from the 2010–2011 earthquakes in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Understanding the provision of multi-agency sensor information in disaster management: A case study on the Australian state of Victoria

Excitement about the potential usage of sensor data sourcing to provide near real-time information has spread to the emergency management sector. Despite the advantages that shared sensor-derived situational awareness may provide, research has been limited on the actual utilization of multi-vendor sensor data in disaster management. In consideration of this shortcoming, an empirical case study is conducted in the Australian state of Victoria to understand the current practices and requirements for access, exchange, and usage of multi-agency sensor data amongst participants in flood disaster organizations. First-hand knowledge of sensor data producers and disaster decision-makers is used, disclosing serious technical barriers to interoperable access to the highly disparate organizational sensor data. The findings also uncover the mechanisms in use for integrating multi-agency sensory information in disaster management, revealing the capabilities required of stakeholders to derive disaster information from raw sensor feeds.