The Evolving Emergency Operations Center
The role of the emergency operations center can be confusing but that’s because it is constantly evolving to reflect new policies and strategies.
Volcanoes: The Ultimate Cascading Event
We tend to think of disasters, even those with cascading events, as fairly localized events. But what happens when a volcano thousands of miles away explodes?
Looking Backwards to See Forward
Even though you are focused on future goals, sometimes you can make better progress by looking at how far you’ve come.
Do We Really Assist Everyone?
Emergency managers assist disaster victims without regard to the the victims’ status. But does this actually happen in practice?
EM Qualifications: Who Needs a Degree?
There’s constant bickering in the emergency management community about whether an undergraduate degree should be a requirement. Maybe not in the past but with increasing complexity of the job, is it an idea whose time has come?
What Qualifies You to Be an Emergency Manager?
The Maui fires raised the issue of what qualifies someone to be an emergency manager. But how can we judge someone’s fitness is we’ve never defined qualifications?
Functional Annexes: The Backbone of Your Emergency Plan
While the basic plan delineates the overall strategy for the emergency operations plan, that strategy can only be implemented if it is supported by strong functional annexes that turn strategy into action.
Hazard Specific Annexes: A Misunderstood Tool
Is your hazard specific annex a useful tool in a crisis or is it just a useless appendage written to meet the requirements of someone who will never need to use it?
Who’s Going to Use Your Plan?
Your emergency operations plan may be conformant with all requirements and standards but are you really ready for a crisis?
Rethinking the Emergency Operations Center: Five Points to Consider
Emergency operations centers may be adequate for small emergencies, but can they handle a major disaster?