EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IN PUERTO RICO: THROUGH THE LENS OF THE WICKED AND SUPER-WICKED PROBLEMS
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Authors
Marchand-Parnell, Jose R.
Subjects
Puerto Rico
emergency management
complexity
problems
wicked
super-wicked
solutions
comprehensive
policy
vulnerabilities
homeland security
public safety
organizations
lessons learned
best practices
National Incident Management System
NIMS
emergency management
complexity
problems
wicked
super-wicked
solutions
comprehensive
policy
vulnerabilities
homeland security
public safety
organizations
lessons learned
best practices
National Incident Management System
NIMS
Advisors
Matei, Cristiana
Wollman, Lauren
Date of Issue
2024-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The catastrophic damage to Puerto Rico’s infrastructure and essential services from near-constant hurricanes and earthquakes has repeatedly overwhelmed the local government’s ability to repair and recover. Despite changes to systems, processes, and decision-making within the emergency management area, the changes have failed to yield meaningful improvements to Puerto Ricans’ safety, security, or quality of life. This thesis asks whether the problem set is impervious to solution because it is not linear or simple but rather wicked or super-wicked, which are inherently complex and interconnected. By analyzing the emergency management ecosystem through the lens of the distinct characteristics of wicked and super-wicked problems as defined by Rittel, Webber, and Levin et al., this thesis concludes that no current or future attempts to prevent, mitigate, respond to, or recover from disaster will be effective unless aligned to fit the complex and ever-changing nature of the challenges faced. Moreover, this thesis highlights the critical impact of Puerto Rico’s uncertain political status as a U.S. territory and the geographical vulnerabilities because of its location as a Caribbean island on the overall emergency management capability. This thesis recommends that Puerto Rico’s emergency management stakeholders recognize these constraints and adopt approaches designed for wicked and super-wicked problems, which are characterized by dynamic, multi-faceted, and flexible tactics.
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Thesis
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Distribution Statement
Distribution Statement A. Approved for public release: Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.