At the external boundary of a disaster response operation: The dynamics of volunteer inclusion. (1st May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johansson, Roine; Danielsson, Erna; Kvarnlöf, Linda; Eriksson, Kerstin; Karlsson, Robin
• Is Part Of: Journal of contingencies and crisis management. Volume 26:Number 4(2018:Dec.)
• Page Start: 519
• Page End: 529
• Publication Date: 2018-05-01
• Subjects: Crisis management -- Periodicals; 658
• DOI: 10.1111/1468-5973.12228
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-0879

Abstract

Abstract : In the present article, practices of inclusion of different types of volunteers in the response to a large‐scale forest fire in Sweden are studied. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with three types of voluntary actors. The volunteers were organized to different degrees, from members of organizations and participants in emergent groups to organizationally unaffiliated individuals. Organized volunteers were the most easily included, particularly if they were members of voluntary emergency organizations. It was difficult for volunteers lacking relevant organizational affiliation to be included. Disaster response operations are dynamic, conditions change over time, and tensions between different modes, degrees, and levels of inclusion may arise. However, irrespective of changing conditions, practices of inclusion of highly organized volunteers work best.