The DNA of Preparedness Developing an Integrated Framework for Emergency Response and Disaster Management

Despite the tremendous expenditure of time, money and effort for well over the last decade, we still struggle to determine whether we are actually better prepared to respond to a disaster. This article posits current processes lack the rigor and standards required to effectively manage and evaluate preparedness, response and recovery in a repeatable manner. The article proposes the adoption of a structured methodology organizes capabilities, responsibilities, and expectations at four "Levels of Focus" informed by Elliott Jaques Requisite Organization (1998) identified as Policy, Strategy, Operations, and Tactics (Jacques, 1998) (Krauss & Rubenstein 2011) (Krauss, 2013) and four "Layers of Response" identified as Local, Regional, State and National as drawn from the National Response Framework. The article further proposes the implementation of a structured methodology will enhance collaboration and facilitate utilization of technology to effectively improve preparedness, response and recovery.