DRC-Disaster Research Center

Active Studies

.  Kykotsmovi, AZ, March 30, 2005 -- Hopi tribal leadership signed an agreement in the village of Kykotsmovi, Arizona, March 30, 2005, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will enable federal disaster assistance to repair infrastructure damages left by severe winter storms. Participating in the signing ceremony are: seated l to r, Federal Coordinating Officer Sandy Coachman and Hopi Tribal Chairman Wayne Taylor, Jr. Standing l to r are Emergency Services Coordinator Roger Tungovia of the Hopi Environmental Protection Office and Chief Ranger Mervin Yoyetewa of the Hopi Resource Enforcement Services. Photo by Lynne Carrier/FEMA photo

 

New Orleans, LA, 5-21-06 -- Nancy Diez talks with Mardi Millions, FEMA Community Relations Specialist about her evacuation plan in case of another Hurricane, at the "FEMA Family Preparedness Day" in New Orleans. FEMA brought together many organizations to present emergency preparedness information and allow Parents and children to gather emergency supplies and decide where they will find safe shelter for themselves and pets during dangerous storms. Many of the items which go into an emergency supply kit were provided free at the event during raffles, activities and games. Marvin Nauman/FEMA photo

 

Orlando, FL, August 26, 2008 -- FEMA Administrator Paulison, Florida Congressman John Mica, and State Director of Emergency Management Craig Fugate confer at today's Leadership Briefing at the State Logistics Response Center. The recent federal Disaster Declaration provides FEMA resources to help in response to tropical storm Fay. George Armstrong/FEMA

 

COE: Multi-Organizational Collaborative Leadership and Interaction

Principal Investigators: Tricia Wachtendorf with William Waugh (Georgia State University)
Funding Agencies: Department of Homeland Security: Center of Excellence for the Study of Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure, and Emergency Managment

Study Description

The goal of this project is to help officials do a better job of coordinating incidents that are multi-organizational and/or multi-jurisdictional.  Consideration is given to traditional formal responders as well as other community-based involvement and the integration of public and private sector efforts, social and human factor elements, and political and cultural facilitators/barriers to response participation. This project will: (1) assess the effectiveness of current organizational structures and incident management systems in building and maintaining collaboration among stakeholders involved in managing hazards and disasters; (2) identify best practices, major issues, and the skill-set (individual and organizational) necessary to build and maintain collaborative relationships; (3) identify skills, cultural features, and social relationships that can foster effective improvised action when a multi-organizational response is necessary; and (4) design and test a training program in collaborative management and leadership for community and state officials involved in managing hazards and disasters. Research methodology includes focus groups, in-depth interviews, and test-bed application.