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Hello Lucien,
Welcome to the February edition of Emergency Management Solutions.
As I mentioned awhile ago, I've been convinced to write a third edition to my book. In going through the current edition, I keep finding things that need updating or clarification as emergency management is currently evolving. If you've read my book and have any suggestions, please feel free to drop my a line and share them with me.
In this month's featured articles, Erik Bernstein discusses the importance of reputational risk during a crisis and offers some suggestions for communicating with the media. Tim Riecker offers insight into gaps in our doctrine that can have an impact with how we use the Incident Command System. His article motivated me to offer some thoughts on how guidance is developed. It's a bit like watching sausages being made but I hope you find it useful.
Be well!
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Canton on Emergency Management
By Lucien G. Canton, CEM
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Who Writes This Stuff Anyway? How Federal Guidance Gets Developed
In a recent article titled Gaps in ICS Doctrine and Documents my colleague Tim Riecker points out the lack of cohesive doctrine in the Incident Management System. He writes that while we have some basic guidance in documents such as the National Incident Management System document and the National Qualification System, there is a lack of definition of key concepts, inclusion of contemporary practices, and continuity from doctrine into supporting documents and training.
As is usually the case, I agree with Tim completely on his assessment. Further, his article sparked some ideas about why this is the case. I suggest that it comes down to three factors: the use of consultants to develop much of our guidance documents, the project managers who oversee their work and our own lack of involvement in the process.
Before you think I’m going to hammer on consultants, let me remind you that I have been a consultant for over twenty years and have been fortunate to work with exceptional individual consultants and with several reputable firms. The issue is not necessarily the consultants but the government’s system of breaking initiatives into multiple projects. This means that frequently consultants are called on to build on work done by a previous consulting team, whether they agree with the previous approach or not. Often you find yourself working on a project that might affect or be affected by one handled by another consulting team without knowing that project exists. There is also the problem with changes to the project management team where the new project manager may want to take things in a different direction or chooses not to accept your advice on how best to achieve the project goals.
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© 2024 - Lucien G. Canton
Lucien Canton is a management consultant specializing in helping managers lead better in a crisis. He is the former Director of Emergency Services for San Francisco and the author of the best-selling Emergency Management: Concepts and Strategies for Effective Programs used as a textbook in many higher education courses.
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The Contrarian Emergency Manager
By Timothy "Tim" Riecker
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Gaps in ICS Doctrine and Documents
Last month I got to spend several days with some great international colleagues discussing problems and identifying solutions that will hopefully have a meaningful and lasting impact across incident management and emergency response. No, this wasn’t at an emergency management conference; this was with an incredible group of ICS subject matter experts convened by ICS Canada, with a goal of addressing some noted gaps in ICS doctrine, training, and other related documents. While the focus was specific to the documents under the purview of ICS Canada, most of these matters directly apply to ICS in the United States as well.
Overall, our doctrine, curriculum, etc. (collectively, documents) across ICS is a mess. Broadly, the issues include:
- Poor definitions of key concepts and features of ICS.
- Lack of proper emphasis or perspective.
- Lack of inclusion of contemporary practices. (management concepts, social expectations, moral obligations, even legal requirements, etc.)
- Lack of continuity from doctrine into supporting documents and curriculum. Everything needs to point back to doctrine. Not that every tool needs to be explicitly included in the doctrine, but they should be based upon consistent standards.
- A need to support updated training to improve understanding and thus implementation.
As we discussed among the group and I continued thought on this, I’ve realized that ICS, as it relates to the US (NIMS) has so little doctrine spread across a few NIMS documents (the core NIMS doctrine, National Qualification System documents, and a few guidance/reference documents – which aren’t necessarily doctrine). In the US, via the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG), we used to have a whole array of documents which could be considered ICS doctrine (in the days of NIIMS <yes, that’s two ‘eyes’>). When the responsibility for the administration of ICS (for lack of better phrasing) shifted to DHS, these documents were ‘archived’ by the NWCG and not carried over or adopted by the NIMS Integration Center (NIC) in DHS who now has responsibility for NIMS oversight and coordination. The NIC has developed some good documents, but in the 20 years since the signing of HSPD-5 (which created and required the use of NIMS) it seems the greatest progress has been on resource typing and little else.
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© 2023 - Timothy Riecker, CEDP
Used with Permission
Tim Riecker is a founding member, partner and principal consultant with Emergency Preparedness Solutions, LLC, a private consulting firm serving government, businesses, and not for profit organizations in various aspects of emergency and disaster preparedness.
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Bernstein Crisis Management
by Erik Bernstein
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Reputation Management During Crisis
Strong reputation management during crisis situations is critical today. While many of the resources out there will proclaim the need for immediate full transparency and constant communications through all channels, the truth is that this approach can sometimes create more trouble than it resolves. In order to make reputation management during crisis effective, you need to recognize the importance of balancing openness with strategic discretion. Let’s look at some of the best practices behind how, why, and where you communicate when your reputation’s under fire.
Strategic Communication for Reputation Management During Crisis
- Timely and Considered Responses: Responding quickly to a crisis is important, but what that response looks like should vary depending on the situation. Work quickly to assess the issues at play, and the level of audience interest, to thoughtfully determine the most appropriate response.
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Tailored Messaging Across Channels: While consistency in communication across channels is important, the messages themselves should be tailored to suit different platforms and audiences. Craft your messaging to address specific concerns of each stakeholder group, aligning with overall strategy, brand values, and long-term business goals.
- Nuanced Transparency: Full transparency isn’t always the most strategic approach, particularly in the initial stages of a crisis. Share information thoughtfully, ensuring it’s accurate and constructive when deployed. Not everyone in PR likes to admit this, but sometimes the best approach is to say nothing.
- Empathy with Strategic Positioning: Messages should be empathetic and humanizing, yet carefully crafted to reinforce the brand’s position. Acknowledge the situation, express concern, and share steps being taken, without prematurely divulging details that may not be fully formed or confirmed.
- Active Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with stakeholders proactively, but in a controlled manner. This can involve direct communication channels where feedback can be managed and addressed in line with the crisis strategy.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Flexible Adaptation: Continuously monitor how messages are being received and be prepared to adjust the communication strategy as needed. This approach allows for responsive yet calculated communication.
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© 2024 - Erik Bernstein
Used with permission
Erik Bernstein is President of Bernstein Crisis Management, a specialized firm dedicated to providing holistic strategies for managing crisis situations.
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How the Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy Unfolded
On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia was reentering Earth's atmosphere after a two-week routine mission when it exploded, killing all seven astronauts aboard and scattering debris across multiple states. It was a horrific tragedy, particularly considering that the shuttle was on its 28th mission and had been a solid vehicle for space exploration and research since the 1980s. What happened to the space shuttle Columbia effectively ended NASA's shuttle program. In 2011, NASA's space shuttle fleet was officially retired.
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FEMA Updates the Climate Risk and Resilience (ClimRR) Portal
The Climate Risk and Resilience Portal (ClimRR) is an award-winning, free, national online source for sophisticated climate data down to the neighborhood level. ClimRR provides easy access to climate data to integrate future conditions into Hazard Mitigation Plans, land use plans, infrastructure design, and FEMA’s Resilience Analysis and Planning Tool (RAPT).
ClimRR data is available for changing hazards: extreme temperatures (hot and cold), cooling and heating degree days, heat index, wind, fire weather index, precipitation/no precipitation under two carbon emission scenarios. The updated portal lets users visualize and analyze future climate hazards combined with local demographic and infrastructure data. Enhanced features include:
- New Consolidated Local Reports Assessing Future Climate Hazards and Community Impacts
- New Maps, Charts & Visualizations
- Improved Educational Features to Interpret Climate Hazard Data Points
CALL FOR PAPERS
Call for Weather Ready Research Proposals – WILDFIRE READY DUE JUNE 3, 2024
The Natural Hazards Center—with support from the National Science Foundation and the NOAA Weather Program Office, and in partnership with the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the National Weather Service —is issuing a series of funding calls for social, behavioral, and economic sciences to advance the understanding of how to most effectively prepare for and communicate about extreme weather, water, and climate events. This new initiative is designed to promote knowledge while also building a diverse cadre of weather ready researchers. Funds will support awards in the amount of $1,000 to $7,500 each. All proposals must be led by a researcher in the social, behavioral, or economic sciences. Collaborators from other disciplines are welcome. Early career scholars, students, advanced researchers, and practitioners interested in conducting Weather Ready research are encouraged to apply. Proposals are being accepted on a rolling basis through June 3, 2024. More information can be found at https://hazards.colorado.edu/research/weather-ready-research/index
Call for Quick Response Research – SUBMIT NOW
With the support of the National Science Foundation, the Natural Hazards Center Quick Response Research Award Program provides funds and training for eligible researchers to collect data in the aftermath of extreme events to document disaster before memories fade and physical evidence is erased. The Natural Hazards Center is currently accepting proposals for a Special Call for Health Outcomes and Climate-Related Disaster Research. Funds will support awards in the amount of $10,000 to $50,00 each. Proposals for this special call will be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. Apply now! More information can be found at https://hazards.colorado.edu/research/quick-response
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Professional Development Opportunities
DRJ Spring 2024
Unleashing the Power of Resilience
March 17 - 20, 2024
Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld®
DRJ’s annual spring and fall conferences are the longest-running and best-attended business continuity events in the world. DRJ can help you protect your organization from today’s disruptions and tomorrow’s threats by exposing you to insights from industry leaders and giving you an early look at new BC technologies.
The IAEM-USA Virtual Conference
April 18-19, 2024
The conference provides more than two days of learning opportunities with day one content including a mix of speaker sessions and IAEM caucus updates. Day two content includes multiple training sessions on a wide variety of topics. The 2024 IAEM Plugged In On-demand provides you with the ability to review all speaker and training content at your own pace. More than 20 speakers provide presentations on fresh, new materials, which will be presented in a live interactive session on April 18-19, 2024. Session recordings will be available to you through April 18, 2025.
26th Annual Emergency Management Higher Education Symposium
June 3-5, 2024
National Emergency Training Center Campus, Emmitsburg, Maryland
The theme of this year's symposium, "Pioneering Ideas and Practices in Emergency Management Higher Education: Building More Resilient Communities," is a focal point for an event that celebrates the 30th anniversary of FEMA's Higher Education Program.
49th Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop
July 14-17, 2024
Since 1975, the Natural Hazards Center has hosted the Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop in Colorado. Today the Workshop brings together federal, state, and local mitigation and emergency management officials and planning professionals; representatives of nonprofit, private sector, and humanitarian organizations; hazards and disaster researchers; and others dedicated to alleviating the impacts of disasters.
IAEM Annual Conference and EMEX
November 15-21, 2024
Colorado Springs, CO
The goal of the IAEM Annual Conference is to improve your knowledge, competency level and collaborative skills. IAEM accomplishes this by attracting relevant high-profile speakers to address current topics and practical solutions. Convening in tandem to this annual event, EMEX, IAEM’s Emergency Management & Homeland Security Expo, draws a myriad of exhibitors who are the top suppliers to the fields of disaster preparedness and homeland security.
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This Gulf of Fire: The Destruction of Lisbon, or Apocalypse in the Age of Science and Reason
by Mark Molesky
On All Saints’ Day 1755, tremors from an earthquake measuring perhaps 9.0 (or higher) on the moment magnitude scale swept furiously from their origin along the Atlantic seabed toward the Iberian and African coasts. Directly in their path was Lisbon, then one of the wealthiest cities in the world and the capital of a vast global empire. Within minutes, much of the city lay in ruins.
But this was only the beginning. A half hour later, a giant tsunami unleashed by the quake smashed into Portugal’s coastline and barreled up the Tagus River, carrying countless thousands out to sea. By day’s end, the great wave chain would claim victims on four separate continents. To complete Lisbon’s destruction, a hellacious firestorm then engulfed the city’s shattered remains. Subjecting survivors to temperatures exceeding 1,832°F (1,000°C), it burned for several weeks, killing thousands and incinerating much of what the earthquake and tsunami had spared.
Drawing on a wealth of new sources, the latest scientific research, and a sophisticated grasp of European history, Mark Molesky gives us the authoritative account of the Great Lisbon Disaster and its impact on the Western world—including descriptions of the world’s first international relief effort; the rise of a brutal, yet modernizing, dictatorship in Portugal; and the effect of the disaster on the spirit and direction of the European Enlightenment.
Much more than a chronicle of destruction, This Gulf of Fire is, at its heart, a gripping human drama, involving an array of unforgettable characters—such as the Marquês de Pombal, the once-slighted striver who sees in the chaos his path to supreme power, and Gabriel Malagrida, the charismatic Jesuit whose view that the earthquake was a punishment sent by God leads inexorably to his demise. There is Dom José, the unremarkable king of Portugal, who stands by his people in their moment of greatest need but ultimately abandons them to the tyranny of his first minister. There is Kitty Witham, the plucky English nun who helps her fellow sisters escape from their collapsing convent, and Manoel Portal, the Oratorian priest who flees the burning capital on his broken leg and goes on to write one of the definitive accounts of the disaster. Philosophers, kings, poets, emperors, scientists, scoundrels, journalists, and monkeys all make their appearance in this remarkable narrative of the mid-eighteenth century.
About the Author
MARK MOLESKY is a graduate of the University of Michigan and received his PhD from Harvard University. He specializes in the intellectual, cultural, and political history of modern Europe, and is currently an associate professor of history at Seton Hall University. He lives in New York City.
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Emergency Management: Concepts and Strategies for Effective Programs
Second Edition
by Lucien G. Canton
This book looks at the larger context within which emergency management response occurs, and stresses the development of a program to address a wide range of issues. Not limited to traditional emergency response to natural disasters, it addresses a conceptual model capable of integrating multiple disciplines and dealing with unexpected emergencies.
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Looking for a speaker for your conference? I offer keynotes, seminars, workshops, and webinars, either in person or virtually. You can find more details and sample videos on my website. | | | |
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©Lucien G. Canton 2024. All rights reserved.
You may reprint and excerpt this newsletter provided that you include my copyright, the source,
the author, and "reprinted with permission."
ISSN: 2334-590X
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