The implementation of organizational design principles throughout the San Mateo County emergency services Joint Powers Agreement and its ability to increase applicability, relevance, and effectiveness

Abstract

This thesis examines the application of organizational design principles to, and intergovernmental effort for, the provision of emergency management and homeland security services to a county comprised of twenty individual incorporated cities with a population of over 700,000. A current lack of attention paid to these important factors has led to an emergency management process that does not provide the necessary level of collaboration or the efficient distribution of vital resources. The premise is that the inclusion of special districts in the county's emergency plans and response strategies will promote the optimum level of safety, security, and preparedness. Interoperable communications is presented as an area where an existing Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) can be more comprehensive and effective. The thesis will examine the nature of a series of perceived challenges associated with this joint powers agreement as these factors apply to special districts and interoperable communications. The paper also examines potential solutions to these challenges via the implementation of organizational design principles.