The significant rise of both chronic diseases and disasters in the last 20 years and the healthcare outcomes of individuals with chronic diseases during and in the aftermath of disasters have raised concerns among public health practitioners, healthcare providers, the U.S government, and the general public. Researchers have indicated that during disasters, the health outcomes of individuals with chronic diseases are significantly unfavorable compared to the general public. However, there is inadequate information on the management of chronic diseases, quality of care, and resource identification and allocation by disaster responders. This qualitative, grounded theory study, explored how the study participants addressed chronic disease needs during and after disasters. A total of 15 adult disaster relief responders who had been involved in disaster planning, response, or care management of individuals with chronic diseases, were recruited through snowballing, public/bulleting postings, and social media. Using the ecological model of disaster management allowed the identification of individual and societal influences that hinder disaster preparedness and chronic disease management. Data collection consisted of semistructured in-depth open-ended interview questions, allowing participants to share their lived experiences. Data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding and managed using the Atlas ti8 software. The findings supported the ecological model of disaster management and strategies such as the use of special needs shelters during impending disasters. Such strategies could enhance disaster preparedness and planning efforts and potentially improve health outcomes during and after disasters.

Abstract Flood disasters have been a challenge in Liberia for the past 15 years. The result has been hardship for residents, which has created major disruptions to social and economic services. Global warming, poor environmental conditions and weak disaster management policies among other factors are largely blamed for the floods. The conceptual framework for this study was Barton's collective stress theory and Edwards' varied response theory, which guided this exploration of how flood victims perceive the effectiveness of the Liberian government's flood disaster management strategies. A total of 25 participants were recruited for this grounded theory study. Twenty participants were victims of flooding and 5 participants were managers from government and non-governmental organizations (NGO) entities. Data were collected from open-ended semistructured interviews with the participants. Multiple sources such as individuals and group interviews, field notes were used to support the study. Data analysis utilized descriptive coding. Results suggest community and government needs include: (a) policies on zonal regulations to reduce the problem of flooded drainages, (b) funding and other support for disaster emergency management institutions, (c) decentralizing and empowering local government agencies for disaster emergency management, and (d) empowering communities themselves through funding and training to become the first line of defense when floods occur. This dissertation may support positive social change by highlighting the need for government to strengthen disaster management policies to include zoning and building permit regulations, funding for disaster emergency management institutions, and flood control.

<div>Disaster debris management is critical to the success of disaster recovery systems. While there are multiple disaster mitigation strategies and post-disaster debris management plans, it is hard to implement because of: (i) the uniqueness of disaster incidents and randomness of its impacts; (ii) complexity of disaster debris removal operations, policy and regulations and (iii) interdependency of multiple infrastructure networks. Also, delayed debris removal operation affects following emergency response activities. Furthermore, uncontrolled debris removal activities can result in significant environmental and public health consequences. Therefore, there is a need for a systematic approach to optimizing post-disaster debris management systems. </div><div><br></div><div>This research is aimed to understand the complexity of debris management and associated emergent dynamics through the lens of an adaptive system-of-systems (SoS). To develop the adaptive decision support system, this research (a) identifies the interdependent infrastructure network within a community and its relative importance; (b) develops real-time GIS database to integrate the data associated with critical infrastructure and geographical characteristics in the community map; (c) designs and selects a TDMS network to analyze the required number, capacity and resources, based on engineering-technical, managerial, and social-political dynamics; (d) simulate the productivity of debris-management SoS based on the real-time GIS database to gain insight into the impact of the dynamical nature of a disaster-affected area; and (e) develop a visualized interactive GIS-based platform for debris management to communicate real-time debris clearance strategies and operations among different agencies and organizations.</div><div><br></div><div>To evaluate the proposed framework and decision support system, this research conducted a case study, debris removal operation in the city of Baton Rouge, after the 2016 Louisiana flood. The results demonstrated the influence of sub-systems such as TDMS locations and capacity, road network condition, available resources, existing regulations and policies, characteristics of community on the behavior of the entire disaster debris removal management as a whole. </div><div><br></div><div>The proposed decision support system for effective disaster debris management will be beneficial for emergency agencies and disaster-prone communities to evaluate and optimize their disaster debris management system. Also, the system can be systematically integrated with other emergency response systems to maximize the efficiency of the entire disaster responses during post-disaster situations. </div><div><br></div>

Crisis management has become one of the most important public policy areas in recent decades with greater numbers of manmade and natural disasters. History showed that well-implemented crisis management policies can save lives and reduce costs in a disaster. Literature offered various suggestions for more effective crisis management policies with different techniques utilizing different theoretical frameworks. Informal relationships among crisis management employees were suggested to have a positive impact on crisis management effectiveness. Yet it was not demonstrated with advanced statistical tools if there is such a relationship. This study considers crisis management effort as a network effort and employs complex adaptive systems theory in order to understand factors influencing effectiveness of crisis management networks. Complex adaptive systems theory presents that more open communication lines in a given network or an organization would increase effectiveness of it since inner processes of the network or organization would obtain more information from the chaotic environment. Quality of informal relationships (casual relationships, social capital etc.) was hypothesized as a tool to open more communication lines within an agency which would eventually increase effectiveness of the network constructed by the organization. Based on the theoretical framework, adaptiveness capacity of the agencies was also tested in order to understand a correlation between adaptation and effectiveness of crisis management networks. Multiple case-study method was employed to identify incidents that can represent crisis management in full perspective. Terrorist attacks carried upon by the same terrorist network hit New York in 2001, Istanbul in 2003, Madrid in 2004, and London in 2005 were selected. First response phase of crisis management and policy changes after and before the attacks were discussed. Public administration processes and other social-economical conditions of countries were examined in terms of crisis management structure. Names of key agencies of selected crisis management systems were suggested by a social network analysis tool-UCINET. Six key agencies per incident were targeted for surveys. Surveys included a nine-item-quality of informal relationships, four-item-adaptiveness capability, and ten-item-perceived effectiveness of crisis management networks-scales. Respondents were asked to fill in online surveys where they could refer to their colleagues in the same incidents. 230 respondents were aimed and 246 survey responses were obtained as a result. Surveys formed a structural equation model representing 23 observed factors and 2 latent constructs. Confirmatory factor analysis was utilized to validate hypothesis-driven conceptual models. Quality of informal relationships was found to have a significant positive impact on perceived crisis management network effectiveness (Standardized regression coefficient = .39). Two of the adaptiveness variables, openness to change and intra-organizational training were also positively correlated with the dependent variable of the study (Standardized regression coefficient = .40 and .26 respectively). Turkish and American groups' differences suggested a social-economical difference in societies. Majority of the respondents were some type of managers which made it possible to generalize the results for all phases of crisis management. Discussions suggested improved informal relationships among crisis management employees to provide a better crisis management during an extreme event. Collaborative social events were offered to improve crisis management effectiveness. An agency's openness to change proposed that a crisis management organization should be flexible in rules and structure to gain more efficacy. The other adaptiveness variable, intra-organizational training efforts were proposed to have certain influence on effectiveness of crisis management network. Factors built latent construct of perceived crisis management effectiveness were also found out to be important on crisis management, which of some are ability to carry out generic crisis management functions, mobilize personnel and resources efficiently, process information adequately, blend emergent and established entities, provide appropriate reports for news media etc. Study contributed to the complex adaptive system theory since the fundamentals of the theory were tested with an advanced quantitative method. Non-linear relationships within a system were tested in order to reveal a correlation as the theory suggested, where the results were convincingly positive. Crisis management networks' effectiveness was demonstrated to be validated by a ten-item-scale successfully. Future research might utilize more disaster cases both natural and manmade, search for impact of different communication tools within a system, and look at the relationships among members of crisis management networks instead looking within an organization.

Disasters are always local in their impact, and therefore approaches towards their alleviation need to be designed and implemented based on this certainty. Since the 1960s there has been a constant evolution in the common understanding of international disaster management. Various measures and structures were created to plan for emergency relief and the management of a disastrous event. Despite international efforts which aimed to reduce the impact of natural and anthropogenic hazards on humankind, very little progress was made. Loss of life, property, infrastructure and economic livelihoods are on the increase without any indication of improvement. Developmental activities can in most instances be blamed for the high level of disaster risk present in communities. On the other hand, very little has been done in the international arena (through a multi-disciplinary approach) to ensure a developmental focus on disaster risk. This study investigates the current state of disaster management practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by benchmarking its activities against established frameworks applied in the developed world for disaster management. The aim of this thesis was primarily to provide a comprehensive framework for disaster risk management in KSA. Such a framework will serve as a guideline for all spheres of government on a strategic level in order to implement disaster risk management. Conclusions to the research demonstrate the importance of linking government policy and practice on disaster risk management across different stakeholders involved in managing disaster risk. This study proposed an integrated model for disaster management by introducing the dual paradigm of disaster management (proactive mindset and reactive mindset). In a nutshell, this thesis aimed to develop a comprehensive multi-disciplinary disaster risk management framework that would be tailor-made for the strategic management arena in Saudi Arabia¿s Ministry of Interior (Directorate of Civil Defence). The research provides the reader with a background study on the international development of the concept of disaster risk management and its components. It focuses on disaster risk management within the Saudi Arabian context. Four international disaster risk management frameworks are analytically compared and aligned with international best practices. Subsequently, the proposed Framework for Disaster in Saudi Arabia is analysed.

Employee job satisfaction of public sector professionals: The roles of public safety work and public service motivation

Ett förändrat klimat ökar risken för fler frekventa skogsbränder, skogsbränder som spås vara mer intensiva än tidigare sett. Det här ger ett behov av att ha en fungerande katastrofhantering när en skogsbrand sker. Krav ställs även på ledande aktörer att besitta den kunskap och erfarenhet som krävs för att kunna hantera en omfattande skogsbrand. Det ställer även krav på att identifiera och bemöta de olika behov som kan uppstå vid en katastrof, samt ge samtliga drabbade samma möjligheter och en jämlik resursfördelning.   Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur resursfördelningen såg ut mellan personal, samt undersöka hur exponerade boende samt skogsägare informerats och omhändertagits under skogsbranden. Den metod som använts för denna studie är en kvalitativ innehållsanalys med en induktiv ansats, där två rapporter om skogsbranden analyserades. Resultatet visade att det fanns en snedvriden resursfördelning mellan brandmännen och administrativ personal, där brandmännen tilldelades flest resurser. Resultatet visade även att skogsägarna omhändertogs väl och fick särskilda informationsplatser, samtidigt som exponerade boende utsattes för onödiga risker vid evakueringarna som skedde. Boende som inte talade svenska fick i vissa områden tillgång till information och stöd men var bristfälligt i andra områden. / A changing climate increases the risk of more frequent forest fires, forest fires that are predicted to be more intense than previously seen. This creates a need to have a functioning disaster management system when a forest fire occurs. Demands are also placed on leading actors to possess the knowledge and experience required to be able to handle an extensive forest fire. It also requires identifying and responding to the various needs that may arise in the event of a disaster, as well as giving all those affected the same opportunities and an equal distribution of resources.   The purpose of this essay is to investigate how the distribution of resources looked between personnel, as well as investigate how exposed residents and forest owners were informed and taken care of during the forest fire. The method used for this study is a qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach, where two reports about the forest fire were analyzed. The result showed that there was a skewed distribution of resources between the firefighters and administrative staff, where the firefighters were allocated the most resources. The result also showed that the forest owners were well taken care of and given special information points, while exposed residents were exposed to unnecessary risks during the evacuations that took place. Residents who did not speak Swedish had access to information and support in some areas but were inadequate in other areas.

Ce mémoire examine, à l’appui de la théorie de rôles, l’influence de l’UE dans la construction du mécanisme de gestion de catastrophes de l’ASEAN. Contrairement à la plupart de recherches menées sur la relation UE-ASEAN, ce mémoire accorde une attention particulière aux échanges UE-ASEAN dans le domaine de sécurité non-traditionnelle, notamment dans la gestion de catastrophes. À travers nos observations, nous constatons que l’influence de l’UE dans la construction de la politique de sécurité non traditionnelle de l’ASEAN n’est ni monotone, ni constante. Son influence prend souvent forme de commanditaire et d’exemplaire, tandis que lors du lancement ou de l’exécution du projet, l’influence de l’UE cède la place à celle de l’ASEAN elle-même, qui assume constamment la responsabilité de lancer l’initiative et de mettre en place les mesures politiques. Ce mémoire contribue non seulement à remesurer l’influence de l’UE sous forme de différents rôles mais aussi à souligner l’implication des autres acteurs régionaux dans la construction de politiques régionales de l’ASEAN : ils sont tous des acteurs importants dans le développement, l’évolution et l’accomplissent des politiques régionales de l’ASEAN dans la sécurité non- traditionnelle. / Using role theory, this dissertation examines the influence of the EU in the construction of the ASEAN disaster management mechanism. Unlike most research on the EU-ASEAN relationship, this dissertation pays particular attention to EU-ASEAN exchanges in the field of non-traditional security, notably in disaster management. My observations show that the EU's influence in shaping ASEAN's non-traditional security policy is neither monotonous nor constant. Its influence often takes the form of sponsor and exemplar, while at the launch or execution of the project, the EU's influence gives way to that of ASEAN itself, which constantly assumes responsibility for launching the initiative and implementing the policy measures. This dissertation not only helps to re-measure the EU's influence in the form of different roles, but also to highlight the involvement of other regional players in the construction of ASEAN regional policies: they are all important actors in the development, evolution and achievement of ASEAN regional policies in non-traditional security.

Text in Afrikaans / In hierdie studie is die noodsaaklike bestuursrol van die rampverpleegster tydens rampoptrede en direk daarna verken, nagevors en beskryf. Haar bevoegdheid om die verskillende rampbestuurstake effektief te kan verrig voor, tydens en na rampe wat buite 'n hospitaal plaasvind, is oak nagegaan. Bestuurstake is geidentifiseer waarmee verpleegsters tydens rampsituasies buite hospitale vertroud behoort te wees. Die navorsingsprojek het deur middel van vraelyste biografiese data ingesamel met betrekking tot die persone wat as rampverpleegsters by Burgerlike Beskerming in Pretoria geregistreer is, met die doel om 'n kursus aan te beveel wat pertinent op hul behoeftes gerig is. Die rampverpleegster se behoefte aan toepaslike verdere opleiding, inoefening of leiding betreffende die ge1dentifiseerde bestuurstake, is bepaal. Dit het geblyk dat opleiding in die meeste take nodig is, en 'n kursus in rampbestuur vir verpleegkundiges is ontwerp / In this study the essential management role of the disaster nurse during disaster action was outlined, researched and described. Her competency to effectively execute disaster relief tasks before, during and after a disaster occurring outside a hospital, was studied. Management tasks were identified which nurses should have mastered regarding disaster situations occurring outside hospital boundaries. Research data were gathered by means of a questiorinaire on the biographic detail of disaster nurses registered with · Civil Defence in Pretoria, in order to recommend a course specifically aimed at fulfilling their requirements. The research project identified requirements of the disaster nurse for appropriate further training, practise and guidance regarding the identified-management tasks. It became evident that training is required in most of the tasks, and a training course for nurses in disaster management was designed / Health Studies / M.A. (Verpleegkunde)

Following unprecedented earthquakes in 1999, highly centralized Turkey initiated reforms that aimed to improve disaster management collaboration and to empower local authorities. In 2011, two earthquakes hit the country anew affecting the city of Van and town of Erciş in Turkey’s southeast. In attempts to reduce disaster risk, global disaster risk reduction frameworks and disaster scholars and practitioners advocate collaborative and decentralized disaster management strategies. This thesis investigates how such strategies are received in a centralized and hierarchical national political-administrative system that largely is the anti-thesis of the prescribed solutions. More specifically, this research investigates the barriers and prerequisites for disaster management collaboration between both public and civil society actors in Turkey (during preparedness, response, and recovery) as well as how Turkey’s political-administrative system affects disaster management collaboration and its outcomes. The challenges to decentralization of disaster management are also investigated. Based on forty-four interviews with actors ranging from national to village level and NGOs, the findings suggest that the political-administrative system can alter the relative importance, validity, and applicability of previously established enabling or constraining conditions for collaboration. This may in turn challenge previous theoretical assumptions regarding collaboration. By adopting a mode of collaboration that fit the wider political-administrative system, collaborative disaster management progress was achieved in Turkey’s national level activities. Although there were exceptions, collaboration spanning sectors and/or administrative levels were generally less forthcoming, partly due to the disjoint character of the political-administrative system. Political divergence between local and central actors made central-local collaboration difficult but these barriers were partly trumped by other prerequisites enabling collaboration like interdependence and pre-existing relations. The findings suggest that the specific attributes of disasters may both help and hinder disaster management collaboration. Such collaboration generally improved disaster response. The findings also indicate that the decentralization attempts may have been premature as the conditions for ensuring a functional decentralization of disaster management are presently lacking. Decentralization attempts are commonly suggested to increase local capacity and local participation but the findings of this dissertation suggest that in Turkey, these commodities may currently have better chances of being increased by refraining from decentralization.