A theoretical framework for negotiating the path of emergency management multi-agency coordination. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Curnin, Steven; Owen, Christine; Paton, Douglas; Brooks, Benjamin
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 47(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 300
• Page End: 307
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: Emergency management -- Multi-organizational core-task analysis -- Boundary spanning; Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2014.10.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: Multi-agency coordination represents a significant challenge in emergency management. The need for liaison officers working in strategic level emergency operations centres to play organizational boundary spanning roles within multi-agency coordination arrangements that are enacted in complex and dynamic emergency response scenarios creates significant research and practical challenges. The aim of the paper is to address a gap in the literature regarding the concept of multi-agency coordination from a human–environment interaction perspective. We present a theoretical framework for facilitating multi-agency coordination in emergency management that is grounded in human factors and ergonomics using the methodology of core-task analysis. As a result we believe the framework will enable liaison officers to cope more efficiently within the work domain. In addition, we provide suggestions for extending the theory of core-task analysis to an alternate high reliability environment. Highlights: We explore human–environment interaction in multi-agency coordination. We offer a framework facilitating emergency management multi-agency coordination. We extend the theory of core-task analysis in a new high reliability environment.