Response Phase Issues

When it comes to Emergency Management there are very defined functions that make up the many variables in the field. One of these is the Human Factor which is one of the hardest things to control when in emergency situations. Developing an all-hazard plan for protecting lives and property is a hard task without integrating into human factors. If human factors are not considered within the early stages of planning, it will be an everlasting problem that will change the path throughout the entire process. First, learning what is a human factor is important to later try and control it. Human Factors (also known as ergonomics) is considered the study of how humans behave in relation to different environments. When discussing human factors within Emergency Management it is seen with the same concept but referred to differently.

Emergency Managers should be able to study the people they would have to manage to allow them to make early determinations based on beliefs of what civilians may do, or may have previously done. Studying civilians by having group discussions with them to give them scenarios and see what they would do is not only a good decision but should be considered in the early stages of planning, way prior to an incident. Understanding what civilians believe they would do is just the tip of what data would need to be collected to efficiently make pre-determined decisions on human factors. Asking people what they see as their own skills or abilities would allow Emergency Management professionals to understand what type of people live in what areas. This also allows for data collection of what hazards the people may bring with them with the skills they say they have. Open discussion and data collection is the only ways to efficiently see what someone would be thinking of in every type of situation to allow for early corrections to be made. While working with the public it can be a dawning task to take on alone.

Allowing for other Subject Matter Advisors (SMAs) to be involved on the team would do multiple things. The first being that having extra hands in the collection of data given so that it can be discussed later, would only benefit the processes early. Also having more SMAs around would only reassure the public that you are working with that situations are handled in a professional manner with the knowledge needed to get the job done. Having a Public Relations official throughout the process as well only enhances the relations with the civilians and will boost confidence. Each SMA should have their own expertise that they can talk to, to allow for an open discussion and have the public questions answered correctly. With the early tasks completed, it is a serious task planning for the human factors previously discussed with the public. Planning for what will be done to assist the public will vary depending on the situation. Remembering that humans will react differently in a riot as they will when there is a blizzard will only benefit the process when making each incident command procedure. This will also allow for proper communication planning between agencies from police, fire, FEMA, state response forces, local efforts, plow drivers, tow operators, and other agencies. The responsibilities between each agency on what they will do with the public may be different to get the task done but will all have the same goal in mind. Protecting life and property is the one and only goal that is in play when dealing with the public.

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The outcome of any situation is largely determined by the human factors that take place. This is all needed to protect the public in emergency situations and will be a part of the process from the planning all the way after clean up efforts. Hypothetical predictions of the validity, reliability, resources and other criteria is a very important task prior to making decisions with the life of the public. Having reports by survivors of emergency situations can be one of the most reliable information sources from someone who lived it first hand. Simulating the situation that a survivor has lived so that it can be planned for in the future will assist in making decisions quicker when used in real time in the field. Feasibility of use should be a consideration during the stages of discussing human factors throughout emergency planning. For instance, calling on aircraft suppression for a fire might make sense to keep the responders safe but it does not allow for 'boots on the ground' which may be needed to deal with the public up close to assist with evacuation efforts. On the opposite side, using aircraft for observation of the fire or fire suppression while having specialized teams to assist with evacuation may be best for the situation. These also being planned by the previous discussion with the public on what they may need or what skills they have will only enhance the response efforts during the emergency.

Having drills frequently with the public involvement enhances the relationship between them and the Emergency Management officials. Using actors such as skilled professionals to play out real-life scenarios may be the closest training you could receive prior to the actual event. Allowing multiple agencies to assist keeps a record of training between departments so that confidence can be shown to the public. This will allow the public to let these agencies control a situation easier without as many surprises or changes in plans. Having the public play the roles of persons in the command structure allows for the study of the thought process of the civilians which can be played out in a future drill. Human nature makes the public believe that they are doing the right thing even if it could cause more problems. Remembering that the public is only human, and it is the job of the responders to control those feelings early can be another key to the early detection of a secondary incident.

Most civilians will want to gather information or investigate what is happening on their own. They may attempt to enter areas that they believe to be minimal risk and cause more problems to solve the first incident by causing a secondary incident or even a third. Stress management officials should be available throughout the process for both emergency responders and the public. These officials will assist with the reassurance of a calm and productive atmosphere during the entirety of the emergency. When planning for any incident you cannot complete the findings without considerations to the human factor. Human factors include many risks associated with emergencies that are unplanned and can have a very high risk. Proven results just in incidents where fire-police officers were needed can show us how human factors even when considered, can change the results of any plans. From the early 1990s through around 2010 there were approximately 70 fire-police officers who died from injuries suffered while on duty. Over fifty of these officers died from cardiac-related deaths and others were a combination of being struck by vehicles, killed in collisions and other related incidents.

No matter what the cause of the death was, these were responders who were a part of a plan originally and due to the incident, that involved them, it caused that plan to be changed. This is only results of responders who know what is proper to do in an incident and does not include the everyday civilian who has no experience in the incidents at all. These plans can be changed significantly when we involve civilians or when the civilians involve themselves or “self-deploy”. In conclusion, relying on other SMAs is key to the success when dealing with the public and attempting to understand the human factors related to Emergency Management. Discussing the human factors with the public can be one of the hurdles that will assist throughout the entire process. Allowing for studies to be obtained before moving forward with the planning of the potential problems will also be key to successful human management.

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