Collaborative Decision-Making in Emergency and Disaster Management |
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Authors: | Naim Kapucu Vener Garayev |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Public Administration , University of Central Florida , Orlando, Florida, USA nkapucu@mail.ucf.edu;3. Department of Public Administration , University of Central Florida , Orlando, Florida, USA |
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Abstract: | Decision-making in emergencies requires non-traditional approach and tools characterized by non-hierarchical structure and flexibility. The dynamic environment of disasters makes it imperative to invest in inter-sector and inter-agency cooperation and coordination. Focusing on the Emergency Management Assistance Compact's (EMAC) response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, this article examines the decision-making structure of the agreement. EMAC is an inter-state mutual aid agreement that facilitates sharing of resources during and after disasters. While EMAC's overall decision-making performance was relatively satisfactory and flawless, investment in communication, trust-building, and eradication of inter-agency value differences and discrepancies is imperative. |
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Keywords: | Emergency management decision-making collaborative decision-making EMAC disaster management networks |
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