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CJ598_BridgemanReneeUnit2Assignment_PowerPoint.pptxDisaster Response Management
Application of Theoretical foundations to current knowledge and practice in disaster management
Unit 2 Assignment
Renee C. Bridgeman
Purdue University Global
CJ598: Applied Research Project Capstone
Doctor Mary Lannon
January 7, 2022
Introduction
There has been an increase in the number of disasters globally
Disasters such as the 9/11 attack, Hurricane Katrina, mass shootings, floods and earthquakes have led to many problems in the United States
Some of the major effects of disasters include deaths, and destruction of properties
Zakour & Gillespie (2013) showed that lack poor disaster response and management have increased the severity of many disasters
In this presentation, we will learn how system theory, vulnerability and complexity theories can be applied in disaster response management
Emergency response department is one of the active departments in the United States following the constant increase in cases of disaster across the country. Incidences such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, emerging diseases like Ebola and covid-19, terrorists and cybercrime have continued to increase over the past decade. Reports indicate that poor disaster response management has contributed significantly to these incidences and has also made their effects severe. The use of system theory, complexity theory and vulnerability theory can be used to establish a robust disaster response management.
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Complexity theory overview
Complexity theory provides an understanding of how systems in an organization grow, adapt and evolve
Complexity theory is rooted in the argument that there is a hidden order to the behavior of complex systems (Bergström et al., 2016).
Complexity theory is relevant to the practice of emergency management
It informs the complex understanding of disaster response management
It helps in making multiple, transparent and modest interpretation of systems in disaster management
It is rooted in three pillars namely: system scope, system dimension, and system resolution.
Complexity theory provides an understanding of how complex and multiple systems in emergency management can be understood and interpreted. It also provides an understanding of complex systems in emergency management evolve, grow and adapt. In emergency management, the complex theory is suitable in establishing a robust disaster response management thorough understanding of complex systems in emergency management (McEntire, 2004). Complex theory can be used to understand system scope, system dimension, and system resolution.
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Vulnerability theory overview
Disaster vulnerability theory seeks to explain the susceptibility of individuals, communities, groups, and organizations to heightened loses in disaster events.
Disaster vulnerability is a growing concern in global scale to disaster victims
Practitioners offer services during response and recovery periods (McEntire, 2004).
They use community interventions to reduce disaster vulnerability
Vulnerability theory provides a unifying theoretical framework which can be translated into knowledge for effective disaster response.
Vulnerability theory provides a framework through which disaster victims, organizations, communities, and groups can reduce losses in natural disasters. It is concerned with the understanding of how infrastructure systems and the severe effects of a disaster can lead to poor disaster resilience. Reports show that increasing interdependencies and uncertain demands have led to poor resilience (Agarwal, 2015). Vulnerability theory is based on the concept of resilience. Resilience is the ability of a system or an organization to withstand adversely and to recover quickly from those conditions.
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System theory overview
Systems theory of management seeks to explain the need to ensure that subsystems in an organization are taken care of for the optimal performance of main system.
In an emergency management, there are various multiple subsystems that must be coordinated to ensure that they work collaboratively towards achieving a similar goal
The need to coordinate all disaster management systems is important in the disaster response management
Infrastructure systems such as water supply, energy, communication and transport should be coordinated to ensure proper disaster response management
Systems theory seeks to explain the importance of proper coordination of subsystems to reduce the impact of a disaster event and to ensure proper response management to any form of disaster (McEntire, 2004). The new technologies such as incident commands system is used to coordinate all the subsystems and ensure that disaster response, all the stakeholders work together to reduce adverse effects of a disaster.
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An application of complexity theory
Complexity theory advocates for the need for a complex understanding of disaster response management
Complexity theory can applied in the understanding of how various disaster systems achieve coordination and direction (Bergström et al., 2016).
Complexity theory allows for the interpretation to generate complex understanding of disaster response
The application of complexity framework on the previous Swedish wildfire shows a practical application of complexity theory
The complexity framework applies to disaster response management in the manner in which different organs or bodies coordinate and give directions that can lead to proper disaster response during a disaster response. Complexity framework explains how multiple complex systems can be coordinated to ensure that all the departments work together and are aiming towards achieving a particular goal during a disaster event.
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The application of complexity theory on recent Swedish wildfire
Reports indicate both coordination and direction were achieved during different stages of the event.
Multiple fire and rescue service organizations were involved in the response.
Senior commanding staff was in charge of the command rather than all individual fire fighters involved.
This helped in achieving direction and coordination in the response operations
The commander was given enough time and freedom in selecting the fire and rescue service staff acting in the command center which enabled them to build trust rather than formal relations (Bergström et al., 2016).
The analysis of this incident gives a proper view of how complex the emergency management is and how complex theory can be applied to ensure proper disaster response.
Direction and coordination are important components in disaster response management. They determine the aftermath of a disaster. They also shows the effectiveness of any disaster response. The recent Swedish wildfire is a reflection of the application of complex theory. It gives an understanding of how systems can work together to ensure proper disaster response.
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Application of vulnerability theory in emergency management
Vulnerability concept can be applied in disaster management by explaining how it enhance resilience and disaster management
Resilience is the ability of a system to stand firm and recover quickly from a disaster event (Agarwal, 2015).
Vulnerability is an inherent characteristic of any system
The management of vulnerability is important for improving a system’s resilience.
In emergency response management, uncertainties are many which requires adequate preparation and planning to eliminate vulnerabilities
Vulnerability theory concerns with how emergency management organization can ensure resilience after a disaster event. Resilience is a growing concern in a disaster response management. Systems engaged in disaster response management an victims of disaster must recover from the adverse conditions of a disaster. The ability to create an environment that make these systems recover quickly from disaster event reduces susceptibility of a disaster event. It also helps reduce vulnerabilities to disasters.
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Application of vulnerability approach to emergency management…
Identification of various vulnerabilities is important for improving resilience of infrastructure systems.
Vulnerability and systems approaches have an important role to play in improving resilience
Vulnerability theory seeks to explain the means that the system will be able to cope with small variations in demand and minor damages (Agarwal, 2015).
Systems that are good for the demand are considered during the design
In infrastructure system, it is the adaptability of the people that interact with infrastructure that can influence the resilience
Vulnerability approach concerns with the need to ensure resilience. Infrastructure system, and disaster victims all need to adapt, and recover quickly from adverse conditions of the disasters (Agarwal, 2015). The use of many infrastructure systems such as more than one mode of transport can also increase resilience and adaptability of disaster victims after a disaster event.
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Application of systems theory
System theory applies to emergency management in encountering counter attacks
The use of incident command system to coordinate all disaster response agencies helps to promote unity in disaster response
Incident command system control all the subsystems to ensure that the goals of disaster response management is achieved (Agarwal, 2015).
Incident command system is used in cabbing counter attacks
It is used to coordinate all the subsystems for optimal functioning of the main system
Encountering terrorist attacks is an area that requires the use of incident command system to ensure that all subsystems are coordinated and that all the infrastructure systems are coordinated for an effective disaster management response (Agarwal, 2015). Systems theory advocates for the need to ensure that all subsystems are performing for the good results in the main system.
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Application of systems theory…
Reports shows that infrastructure systems consist of physical elements such as roads, bridges, communities, organizations and groups
These infrastructure systems are all important in managing counter attacks.
Terrorism response requires the coordination of all subsystems (Agarwal, 2015)
It helps to enhance preparedness and ensure that resources are well utilized
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An analysis and evaluation of systems theory in counterterrorism efforts
Systems approach involves coordinating of subsystems such as training and command system.
Training helps to increase effectiveness of disaster response
Training of practitioners equip them with skills and expertise to offer quality services
Command system is the use of ICS whereby subsystems are coordinated to work together collaboratively.
These approaches ensure optimal performance of main system.
The two major application of systems approach is through training and command system. Commanding all the subsystems from a command center ensure proper direction and coordination of disaster management operations. Training helps to equip practitioners working in the subsystems with skills to enable them deliver quality services which are key to the success of the main system.
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Analysis of vulnerability theory in emergency management cycles
Emergency management cycle consist of disaster preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery
These stages are characterized by vulnerabilities
Building resilience among organizations, communities, individuals, and groups can reduce vulnerabilities in these phases
Ensuring that an organization infrastructure systems are coordinated and proper direction is used during disaster management response can reduce the breakdown of response plan and are key to optimal performance of the main system
Resilience refers to the ability of infrastructure system to withstand adverse effects of natural disasters and recover quickly from disaster
The emergency management cycle involves various activities including disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. This is a complete EM cycle. These stages are susceptible to uncertainty. Through resilience, these challenges can be limited. Organizations, communities, groups and individuals are all affected by the adverse effect of a disaster. Understanding how resilience can undermine vulnerabilities is key to emergency management response.
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Analysis of complexity theory in encountering cyber-attacks
Complex understanding of cyber-attack response management can be achieved by making multiple, modest and transparent interpretations.
Complex approach suggests an analytical framework where multiple system interpretations are constructed.
The emergency response management for cyber attacks can be done through the analysis of three major concepts
System dimension
System scope
System resolution
Complexity approach seeks to explain how disaster management goals can be achieved through modest and transparent interpretations. It is concerned with the need to coordinate the complex systems in disaster management response for the success of the main system. The key aspects of complex theory include system dimension, system scope and system resolution.
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Recommendations
Disaster management response remain an integral role of homeland security.
The need to have a robust disaster management response would require proper use and application of systems theory, complex theory and vulnerability theory.
These theories gives an understanding of important aspects which are key to disaster management response
The use of these theories helps to identify, and address issues such as poor resilience, lack of direction and coordination during disaster management operations.
More studies are needed to determine how practitioners and researchers can apply these theories in various efforts
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Conclusion
The theories discussed in this paper include:
Complex theory
Vulnerability theory
Systems theory
From the presentation, these theories have been applied in disaster management responses in various forms including counterterrorism, EM cycle and combating cyber attacks
It is evident that these theories gives an understanding of the resources needed in emergency operations
They also gives an understanding of the need for coordination and proper direction to subsystems for the optimal performance of the main system.
References
Bergström, J., Uhr, C., & Frykmer, T. (2016). A complexity framework for studying disaster response management. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 24(3), 124-135.
Agarwal, J. (2015). Improving resilience through vulnerability assessment and management. Civil Engineering and Environmental Systems, 32(1-2), 5-17.
Zakour, M. J., & Gillespie, D. F. (2013). Community disaster vulnerability. Theory, Research, and Practice.
McEntire, D. A. (2004). The status of emergency management theory: Issues, barriers, and recommendations for improved scholarship. University of North Texas. Department of Public Administration. Emergency Administration and Planning.
