Recognizing and mitigating against COVID-19 consequence management impacts in emergency management organizations

Area of Science:

• Disaster Management and Emergency Preparedness
• Public Health and Pandemic Response
• Organizational Continuity and Resilience

Background:

• Traditional linear disaster cycle models (preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation) are insufficient for complex, overlapping crisis phases.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the unsustainability of current emergency management (EM) staffing and operational models for prolonged crises.
• Communities and EM organizations experience simultaneous disaster phases, necessitating a more integrated and adaptive approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for a paradigm shift in disaster management, moving beyond linear timelines to a spiral model accommodating overlapping phases.
• To propose COVID-19 as a catalyst for establishing a new normal in emergency management continuity of operations and government.
• To outline a standardized project management framework for EM organizational response and adaptation during long-term pandemics.

Main Methods:

• Reconceptualizing disaster phases from a linear sequence to a spiral model with overlapping elements.
• Applying a standardized project management approach to EM organizational response, including the 'reset/restart' of suspended activities.
• Utilizing Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely (SMART) goals for tracking and reporting EM objectives and missions.

Main Results:

• The spiral model necessitates simultaneous engagement in response, recovery, and mitigation phases.
• Current EM incident management models are inadequate for sustained pandemic operations.
• A standardized, project-management-driven approach with SMART goals is crucial for EM adaptation and continuity.

Conclusions:

• Emergency management organizations must adopt a non-linear, spiral approach to disaster phases for enhanced resilience.
• The COVID-19 pandemic mandates a fundamental re-evaluation of EM operational continuity and governmental support structures.
• Continuous adaptation of EM roles, services, and missions, guided by standardized planning and goal-setting, is essential for future crises.