Crisis preparedness is the responsibility of every person, business, and leader, and leadership behavioral skills are an essential characteristic of crisis preparedness. The purpose of this case study was to explore the decisions of elected leaders along the Gulf Coast during Hurricanes Katrina and Ike in order to understand their leadership behaviors in crisis preparedness. The conceptual framework was based on the emergency management theory presented by McEntire in 2004, which helped to define the necessary components for leaders' successful crisis preparedness. Data were collected through interviews with 5 members from the National Emergency Management Agency along with a document review of elected leader responses and decisions during both Hurricanes Katrina and Ike from government reports, previous studies, and scholarly articles. Data were interpretively analyzed by listing out several leadership models and the behaviors that identify them and then by reviewing the document study information in 2 matrices for methodological triangulation and data saturation. The findings highlighted 5 emerging themes named as the five Cs of crisis preparedness: compassion, continuity, communication, common sense, and confidence. This study may contribute to social change by identifying key leadership traits that governors and other elected leaders should use in crisis preparedness, which may contribute to the safety, health, and well-being of constituents during a natural disaster.

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Responsibility for emergency preparedness is in the Swedish case mainly governed by one principle citing that responsibility is the same no matter what circumstances. Recent work has made it clear that the responsibility principle is vague and even dangerous when the crisis appears. Most previous work is focused on national-level analysis, even though Sweden has 290 municipalities with constitutional self-government. So, how does a municipality in Sweden interpret and implement this vague principle? Through an inductive interview study of three categories of municipalities: small, middle sized and large, this paper aims to find patterns and interpretations on how the municipalities view the principle and if they differ from each other. These categories also include the relationship between municipalities which will show if larger municipalities give surrounding municipalities an advantage in implementing the principle. The different views offered by the informants are analyzed through structures, concepts and limits for responsibility. No standardized way of interpreting or implementing the responsibility principle is found, and when responsibility is unclear, which it often is, it falls upon the municipalities. The findings also indicate that size or closeness to a larger municipality does not by itself result in a more advantageous cooperation, although it could be part of the explanation. The different actors' organizations have to be similar to work together. These findings are explored in relation to accountability and legitimacy. The analysis indicates that the principle has difficulty establishing accountability, and can be questioned from a perspective of legitimacy.

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This report explores the design of a system for remotely switching electronics on and off within a range of at least 15 km, to be used with battery driven radio nodes for outdoor Wi-Fi network bridging. The application of the network bridges are connecting to remote networks, should Internet infrastructure fail during an emergency.The problem statement for the report was “What is a suitable radio link technology for use in a remote controlled electrical switch system and how should it best be put to use?” To answer the question, delimitation was done to exploring Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) link technologies, due to their prior use within power constrained devices.Long Range-radio, abbreviated LoRa, is a LPWAN radio modulation technique and was determined to be a good candidate as a suitable link technology for the remote electrical switch system. The range of LoRa is achieved by drastically lowering the data rate of the transmission, and is suitable for battery-powered or energy harvesting devices such as those found in the field of Internet of Things.A LoRa-based transmitter and receiver pair was implemented, and measured to have a packet delivery ratio of over 95% at a distance of 2 km, measured between two bridges. Data at further distances could not be accurately determined, because of the LoRa transceiver giving faulty readings.No conclusion could be made about the suitability for using a LoRa based system to solve the problem, partially due to an improper method for testing the radio performance was used, and partially due to an inconclusive measurement result. / Denna rapport utforskar designen av ett system för att fjärrstyrt slå på eller av elektronik över ett avstånd på minst 15 km, för att användas med batteridrivna radionoder för nätverksbryggning utomhus med Wi-Fi. Tillämpningsområdet för nätverksbryggorna är att koppla samman avlägsna nätverk, om Internetinfrastruktur skulle sluta fungera vid en nödsituation.Problemställningen för rapporten var ”Vad är en lämplig radiolänksteknik att använda i ett fjärrstyrt elektriskt strömbrytarsystem, och hur ska det bäst brukas?”. För att svara på frågan gjordes en avgränsning att utforska Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN)-länktekniker, på grund av deras tidigare användning inom effektbegränsade enheter.Long Range-radio, förkortat LoRa, är en radiomodulationsteknik som används för att skicka data över långa avstånd med energibegränsade enheter. LoRa:s räckvidd uppnås genom att drastiskt sänka datatakten, och lämpar sig för bruk i batteridrivna eller energiskördande enheter, likt de som återfinns inom fältet Internet of Things.Ett LoRa-baserat sändaroch mottagarpar implementerades, och uppmättes till att ha en paketlevereringsmängd på över 95% vid ett avstånd på 2 km, mätt mellan två broar. Data vid större avstånd kunde inte bli bestämt noggrant, eftersom LoRa transceivern gav felaktiga avläsningar. Ingen slutsats kunde göras för lämpligheten för att använda ett LoRa-baserat system för att lösa problemet, delvist för att en olämplig metod för att testa radions prestanda använts, och delvist på grund av ett ofullständigt mätresultat.

Master of Regional and Community Planning / Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning / Richard L. Hoag / Abstract On October 6, 2006 President Bush signed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act, Pub. Law No. 109-308). The Act ensures that state and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency (The Library of Congress, 109:H.R. 3858, 2006). This thesis identifies nineteen indicators to be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the PETS program in the areas of economics and public health. This report gives specific examples of how each indicator can be used to measure, assess, guide, and monitor the outcomes of evacuating pets in state or local emergency preparedness operational plans.

The thesis discusses the limitations of courts during emergencies and the meaningfulness of the classification system of justice in critical infrastructure. Judicial power is in addition to legislative and executive branches in a classic triangle of state power. The scope of its activities is to introduce the first part. With an analysis of relevant laws to the reader's raised the breadth and importance to society. The text below is followed by a list of incidents that affect the limitations on the exercise of judicial power. They provide a list of departmental emergency preparedness plan and have added two new current threats. The last part of the introductory essay to speak of critical infrastructure, which includes the judiciary. The thesis aims to determine how the judicial administration immune to the impact of emergencies. Whether the system needs more investment in security measures applied so far as eliminating the effect of well-defined emergencies, and if justice is rightly placed in the framework of critical infrastructure. For the actual processing of the results is the methodology used in operational analysis. Specifically, it is the discipline of multi-criteria evaluation of alternatives. The method itself is appropriate for the assessment of phenomena, where the value of multiple criteria. The results are processed according to the principles of the WSA (weighted sum) and Fuller (comparison and scoring method). Naturally, there is comparison of the results of both disciplines. Examined measures designed to limit exposure incidents are classified into thematic blocks. The ranking of construction services, technology, internal structure and physical site security. Taking the first and third block is formed by means of passive protection and the second and fourth block is formed by means of active defense. It is interesting comparison between the blocks and those stand block. A summary of results and their own and departmental analysis of threats to judicial authorities indicate readiness for the events listed in the Plan of departmental emergency preparedness as an emergency.

Impacts of global climate changes in the form of repeated natural disasters are becoming a part of the day-to-day life of the present-day society. The issue of preparedness for extraordinary and crisis situations is becoming more and more topical. The Czech Republic is no exception; it regularly faces heavy rains, floods or snow. The key prerequisite for successful management of these emergencies is an effective prevention and preparedness in the form of crisis plans or crisis preparedness plans. The objective of my thesis is to find out whether Emergency Medical Service of Zlín Region is sufficiently prepared for the occurrence of emergencies and to propose solutions if shortcomings are identified. The Emergency Medical Service of Zlín Region constitutes a basic component part of the Integrated Rescue System of Zlín Region. As a provider of emergency medical services, it is included in the Crisis Plan of Zlín Region. Capacity for action and the activities of the Emergency Medical Service of Zlín Region have to be ensured not only in day-to-day operation, but also if an emergency occurs and continues. The theoretical part of my thesis provides a general overview of emergency and crisis planning, competencies of administrative authorities with respect to emergency medical services in case of an emergency situation announcement, traumatology plan and pandemic plan. This chapter includes also characterization of the legal entity of Emergency Medical Service of Zlín Region and description of special antropogenic and natural threats. The theoretical part is followed by qualitative research, which involves in particular a detailed study of available professional resources in printed and electronic form, especially crisis and emergency planning documents of Zlín Region and internal documents of Emergency Medical Service of Zlín Region. The practical part of the thesis contains an analysis of external and internal threats at respective ambulance stations of Emergency Medical Service of Zlín Region. The external risks analysis is based on the Crisis Plan of Zlín Region and Emergency Plan of Zlín Region, while the internal risks analysis is based on an expert estimate of potential risks at respective ambulance stations of EMS ZR. I assigned the potential impact on the activity of EMS ZK to each identified risk in the risk analysis. The outputs from the analysis became the main source for the preparation of the crisis preparedness plan. The analysis of external risks confirmed that agility and EMS ZK activities may disrupt in particular the following threats: natural flood (ambulance station in Zlín Peroutkovo nábřeží, Uherské Hradiště, Vsetín), special flood (ambulance station in Zlín - Peroutkovo nábřeží, Karolinka, Vsetín), risks arising from climatic conditions (especially heavy snow in Wallachia), disruption of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies (secondary consequence of the crisis) and electricity cuts (especially ambulance stations that do not dispose of emergency power unit). The thesis result is a proposal of Crisis Preparedness Plan of Medical Emergency Service of Zlín Region. A legal entity or an individual who secures the performance of measures resulting from the regional crisis plan is responsible for the preparation of the crisis preparedness plan. The particulars and manner of preparation of the crisis preparedness plan are described in detail in the Government Decree No. 462/2000 Coll., which implements the provisions of Sec. 27(8) and Sec. 28(5) of Act No. 240/2000 Coll., on Emergency Management and Amendment to Some Acts. When drafting the plan I proceeded according to valid legislation. This plan is an internal document of the legal entity to solve the challenges of security in crisis situations.

Nuclear facility accidents involving leaks of radioactive substances into the environment might have serious radiobiological impacts on inhabitants in some cases and would require immediate or subsequent protective measures from iodine prophylaxis and hiding to evacuation or permanent resettlement. The first part of the thesis describes the conditions of nuclear facility operation, technology of the Temelin nuclear power plant, including description of technology and function of emergency systems and the basic principles of security, and environment protection. It also describes the principles and aims of nuclear safety, radiation protection and accident preparedness. A more detailed description of accident preparedness at the Temelin power plant including links to the External Emergency Plan and announcement of safety measures for inhabitants follows. The aim of the thesis is to evaluate the decision making process on announcement of evacuation in the pre-leak phase of radiation accident from the point of view of the Temelin nuclear plant operator?s possibilities. The part Methodology includes a description of RTARC software for evaluation of radiological impacts of radioactive substance leakage into the environment of the Temelin nuclear plant in case of radiation accident. The set of source members (event scenarios) used for the calculation is also described there. The chapter Results presents and assesses the RTARC calculations. We may say upon analyses of the results that application of the decision making support programme is beneficial and is practically able to help with efficient protection of citizens in the final effect. For a part of the considered source members evacuation on pre-leak phase cannot be recommended with regard to the quick progress and leakage of radioactive substances into the environment.

Emergency preparedness includes the ability to recognize the occurrence of extraordinary events and, in particular, planning, organizing and management of emergency measures to deal with them. The objective of this thesis is to assess planned measures to avert the consequences of accidents depending on selected extraordinary events in the premises of the railway station in České Budějovice. Another objective is to assess the overall emergency preparedness of the railway station in České Budějovice in this respect. In order to meet the objectives as well as possible I defined the following hypothesis: Planned measures to avert the consequences of accidents in the premises of the railway station in České Budějovice are adequate and in accordance with applicable legislation. The thesis includes basic general information on extraordinary events, emergency planning and the integrated rescue system, and then it describes securing emergency preparedness within the organizational structure of the entities involved. The thesis also includes the issue of rail freight transport and the related transport of dangerous substances. To achieve the objectives of the thesis and to verify the hypothesis, I used interviews with relevant experts from railway companies ČD as, ČD Cargo and SŽDC, and the study of available literature and legislation. Then, I used a document analysis aimed at assessing the adequacy and suitability of planned measures depending on the selected extraordinary events ? both associated with the normal operation of the railway station and the transport of hazardous substances in tanks. The analysis showed that the planned measures to avert the consequences of accidents in the premises of the railway station in České Budějovice are currently to a great extent adequate and in compliance with applicable national and international legislation. In the discussion section, I presented the problems that occurred in dealing with this issue. At the end of the thesis, I tried to propose some measures that would be suitable for adding into the documentation of emergency preparedness of the railway station in České Budějovice. I believe that this thesis will be used as a document monitoring an aggregate of measures to ensure emergency preparedness of the railway station in České Budějovice and, in the light of the thesis results, it will be possible to recommend further improvements in securing the preparation of these measures.