STOP CHECKING THE BOX: EFFECTIVE MEASUREMENT OF PREPAREDNESS CAPABILITIES

Authors
Ruesch, Emily
Subjects
preparedness
emergency management
assessment
THIRA
Threat Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
technology adoption
Advisors
Halladay, Carolyn C.
Aten, Kathryn J.
Date of Issue
2024-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Facing potential disasters from terror attacks to climate emergencies, emergency managers must ask themselves, What will the next emergency be, and are we ready? This thesis explores the extent to which emergency management programs utilize formal methodologies to assess their levels of preparedness and what might be preventing them from conducting such assessments. Using an online survey and targeted interviews, this study collected data from emergency management practitioners, developed hypotheses to explain why programs do or do not effectively assess their preparedness, and resulted in policy recommendations based on these hypotheses. The research indicates that the use of preparedness assessment methodologies aligns with principles in Fred Davis’s technology acceptance model. Where the methodologies were difficult to use or the results of the processes were not perceived as useful, emergency management programs often did not conduct formal assessments of preparedness. Conversely, when practitioners could use the tool with ease or execute the process in a way that produced results they felt were meaningful, they were more likely to engage in these processes. This thesis concludes that assessments differentiated by program type, innovation within assessment processes, additional assessment resources, and improved leadership buy-in will increase the number of programs assessing their preparedness and subsequently building preparedness capabilities to close identified gaps.
Type
Thesis
Description
URI
https://hdl.handle.net/10945/72758
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (CHDS)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
Citation
Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
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