Ten criteria for evaluating the management of community disasters

Abstract

The discussion herein concerns important factors in the local management of disasters. We contrast this with the related but distinct process of disaster planning. Our assumption is that what is crucial is not management per se, but good management. Thus, to assess intelligently the management of community disasters requires an answer to the question: What is good management? The results of empirical research carried out by social scientists over the past 40 years are drawn upon in considering this question. The criteria identified entail: (1) correctly recognising differences between response and agent-generated demands; (2) adequately carrying out generic functions; (3) effectively mobilising personnel and resources; (4) generating an appropriate delegation of tasks and division of labour; (5) adequately processing information; (6) properly exercising decision-making; (7) developing overall coordination; (8) blending emergent and established organisational behaviours; (9) providing appropriate reports for the news media; and (10) having a well-functioning emergency operations centre. An issue also raised in the paper is how applicable these research findings-derived mostly from developed countries-are to the developing world.