Emergency Management: Concepts and Strategies for Effective Programs

by Lucien G. Canton

Overview

Most emergency management texts focus on the short-term response to specific threats. This book suggests that it is time for a different approach, one that is supported by social science and by new national standards for emergency management programs. This approach is based on the concept that emergency management is a distributed process, one that must be collectively performed by the community. Emergency management must be integrated with other community goals and as such, must be perceived as adding value to the community by helping the community manage overall risk.

This community-wide approach also holds implications for the emergency manager. Instead of a technical expert on emergency operations, the emergency manager becomes a program coordinator whose job is to facilitate the development of a community emergency management strategy and oversee its implementation. This focus on strategy allows all the various components of the emergency management program to work together to achieve a common vision of community resilience.

The text begins with historical and social science perspectives on emergency management, and then delves into the historical and evolving roles of the emergency manager. Following a broad discussion on establishing an effective emergency management program, the text explores its individual components, including: Assessing risk, Developing strategies, Planning concepts, Planning techniques and methods, Coordinating response, Managing crisis. Throughout the discussion, case studies are used to illustrate both successful and unsuccessful applications of emergency management principles. The need for effective emergency management is clear. This book provides a comprehensive, coordinated approach that is essential for all emergency program managers and anyone tasked with the critical assignment of emergency preparedness and response in either the public or private sector.

About the Author:
Lucien G. Canton is the former director of emergency services for the City of San Francisco

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781394253876
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	05/19/2026
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 1.50(h) x 9.50(d)

About the Author

LUCIEN G. CANTON, CEM, CPP CBCP, has over 40 years' experience in hazard and risk analysis, loss reduction, and emergency planning. As the Director of Emergency Services for the City of San Francisco from 1996 to 2004, he was responsible for coordinating the City's emergency management program and served as a policy advisor on emergency management and Homeland Security issues. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Canton was an Emergency Management Specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 1990 to 1996.

Table of Contents

Emergency Management: A Historical Perspective     1
Why Study History?     2
A Brief Survey of Catastrophe     5
Modern Emergency Management Evolves     19
The Impact of Homeland Security     25
The Impact of Hurricane Katrina     29
Conclusion     32
Emergency Management: A Social Science Perspective     35
Social Science as an Emergency Management Tool     36
Emergencies, Disasters, and Catastrophes     38
Disaster Mythology     52
Organizational Response     57
Conclusion     61
The Emergency Manager: Evolving Roles and Shifting Paradigms     63
Conflicting Roles     64
Toward a Definition of Emergency Management     66
The Emergency Manager as Program Manager     72
Toward Professionalization     76
Conclusion     83
Establishing the Emergency Management Program     85
Program Management     86
Developing a Governance Structure     87
Program Administration     92
Executive Policy and Strategic Planning     93
Developing the Strategic Plan     99
Enabling Authorities and Legislation     102
Grant Requirements     104
Best Practices     105
Defining Goals and Objectives     107
Strategic Program Elements     108
Resource Management     109
Training     112
Finance     114
Program Evaluation     116
Quantitative Assessment Tools     116
Qualitative Assessment Tools     118
Exercise Programs     118
Actual Incidents     123
Tracking Corrective Actions     124
Conclusion     125
Assessing Risk     127
Hazard Identification     128
Hazard Analysis     137
Impact Analysis     148
Conclusion     155
Developing Strategy     157
A New Look at An Old Model     158
Risk Management     161
Mitigation Strategy     163
Recovery Strategy     169
Response Strategy     175
Preparedness     184
Conclusion     186
Planning Concepts     189
Plans versus Planning     190
The Planning Continuum     197
Centralized Planning, Decentralized Execution      203
Problem Solving Model     206
Planning Assumptions     208
Scenario-based Planning     210
Functional Planning     214
Capabilities-based Planning     218
General Planning Principles     222
Conclusion     225
Planning Techniques and Methods     227
Establish A Planning Structure     227
Use A Meeting Facilitation Process     231
Develop an Action Plan and Set Deadlines     237
Managing Multiple Projects     240
Facilitate Decision Making     242
Use Common Plan Formats     246
Determining Plan Content     249
Use Graphic Tools     250
Use Exercises to Test Concepts     256
Keep it Simple     258
Conclusion     259
Coordinating Disaster     261
Tactical Response     262
Incident Management Systems     267
Unified and Area Commands     273
Multi-agency Coordination Systems     274
Emergency Operations Centers     286
Communications and Interoperability     291
Information processing     294
Mutual Aid      296
Resource Management and Logistics     298
The Joint Information Center     301
Conclusion     303
Managing Crisis     305
Leadership and Decision-making     306
Crisis Management     313
Planning for Crisis Management     316
Crisis Communications     321
Strategic Recovery Issues     324
Catastrophic Events     329
Conclusion     331

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This book should serve professionals in the emergency management field very well." (Journal of Hazardous Materials, May 2007)

"...an excellent resource for university and college staff to develop an emergency management program on campus or evaluate an existing program." (Facilities Manager, March/April 2007)

Editorial Reviews

"This book should serve professionals in the emergency management field very well." (Journal of Hazardous Materials, May 2007)

"...an excellent resource for university and college staff to develop an emergency management program on campus or evaluate an existing program." (Facilities Manager, March/April 2007)

From the Publisher