Disaster and Emergency Management as a complex adaptive system?
Tracks
Monarch Room | In-Person Only
| Monday, July 22, 2024 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
Overview
Todd Miller, National Emergency Management Agency
Details
Presentation Key Learnings:
1. Importance of Stakeholder Roles and Relationships:: The success of DEM hinges on understanding diverse stakeholders' perceptions and fostering effective relationships, essential for collaborative decision-making and crisis response.
2. Reevaluating Traditional Models: Traditional phased DEM approaches often overlook the need for adaptability and the complexity of managing varied actors, signalling the necessity for more dynamic and responsive strategies.
3. Adopting Complex Adaptive Systems: Viewing DEM as a complex adaptive system emphasises the importance of flexibility and comprehensive engagement strategies, encouraging adaptability and inclusivity in disaster response to meet evolving challenges and enhance community participation across all disaster stages.
Speaker
Mr Todd Miller
Senior Advisor
National Emergency Management Agency
Disaster and Emergency Management as a complex adaptive system?
Abstract
In the realm of disaster and emergency management (DEM), the roles of diverse stakeholders are crucial, with a particular emphasis on the significance of their perceptions and the relationships they foster. These elements are fundamental in shaping how organisations communicate, collaborate, and make decisions in times of crisis.
Traditional DEM frameworks often adopt a phased approach that may not fully appreciate the complexity and dynamic nature required to effectively manage the range of actors involved, nor the need for adaptation in light of new challenges and the shifting political, social, and economic contexts. As disasters become more complex and societal demands grow, the limitations of conventional command-and-control models become increasingly apparent, highlighting the necessity for a reevaluation of DEM collaboration strategies.
By examining the current DEM systems, pinpointing new actors, and analysing both the obstacles and enablers to effective collaboration, it becomes clear that DEM should be understood as a complex adaptive system. This system requires flexibility in its approach to engagement and the ability to respond to various stressors. For leaders in DEM, adopting a perspective that views DEM as a complex adaptive system could enhance community engagement and participation across all stages of a disaster. This approach not only acknowledges the need for adaptability and responsiveness but also promotes a more inclusive and dynamic model of disaster management.
Traditional DEM frameworks often adopt a phased approach that may not fully appreciate the complexity and dynamic nature required to effectively manage the range of actors involved, nor the need for adaptation in light of new challenges and the shifting political, social, and economic contexts. As disasters become more complex and societal demands grow, the limitations of conventional command-and-control models become increasingly apparent, highlighting the necessity for a reevaluation of DEM collaboration strategies.
By examining the current DEM systems, pinpointing new actors, and analysing both the obstacles and enablers to effective collaboration, it becomes clear that DEM should be understood as a complex adaptive system. This system requires flexibility in its approach to engagement and the ability to respond to various stressors. For leaders in DEM, adopting a perspective that views DEM as a complex adaptive system could enhance community engagement and participation across all stages of a disaster. This approach not only acknowledges the need for adaptability and responsiveness but also promotes a more inclusive and dynamic model of disaster management.
Biography
Todd Miller is a Senior Advisor at the National Emergency Management Agency in New Zealand and a part-time PhD candidate at AUT University. In his role, he is instrumental in strengthening resilience through national coordination and the development of alternative crisis management facilities. Todd also serves as a Scholarship Commissioner for IAEM. His academic and professional pursuits are informed by the view of emergency management as a complex adaptive system, a perspective that drives his commitment to enhancing interorganisational collaboration and the overall effectiveness and adaptability of the emergency management system.
