Fri, 27 Jan 2006 05:26:01 GMT

Professional Development & Leadership

PDPS 278: Support Issues in Civil Care & Security

General Framework - see http://emergencyriskmanagement.com throughout

Assignment 1

Background Reading: Module I Capability Development

Assignment 1 Due: 6 March 2006

Suggested Approach:

The heart of the answer is in how well any given model and entity applies a risk management approach to emergency management.

Use the EPCB self assessment framework as a benchmark of an application of the Australia / New Zealand Standard on Risk Management (AS/NZS 4360) to emergency management.

Apply a "matrix" approach similar to the "crosswalk" Table in Annex A of NFPA 1600. List the elements of EPCB's framework down the left hand column. List the aligned elements from your selected model (e.g. NFPA 1600 or CAR) with linked references to your text (discussion and analysis) in the second column of the matrix. List notes with linked references to your text (discussion and analysis) on the management arrangements of your selected entity (Country, City, Region, District, Company, Asset or Infrastructure.)

Support your matrix notes with text including discussion and analysis.

Conclude with considerations about the value and quality of the

risk management approach,
model selected for review, and
management arrangements of your selected entity.

References:

Assignment 2

Background Reading: Module II Validation of Applications: Research, Case-Studies and Exercises

Assignment 2 Due: 17 April 2006

Suggested Approach:

(a) The disaster lessons should be conclusions of an investigation or report, or recommendations from a coronial inquest (or research).

Do NOT focus on the disaster event or re-tell the story. Focus on three aspects:

what capability development opportunities were identified by the research?
what changes of approach were recognized as desirable (politically acceptable, economically viable etc)?
how well have the suggested changes been implemented - what have been the constraints?

(b) Select an exercise which aimed to tested and develop (Civil Care and Security) capabilities.

Do NOT re-tell the detail of the exercise. Focus on three aspects:

what was the need - and how was it identified or validated? (e.g. to test or learn from and incorporate key lessons out of disasters; to meet the need for a "political showcase" or demonstration?)
how was the exercise developed and constructed to meet the need(s) - compare the quality of the developmental process with the EPCB quality framework for developing exercises (i.e. use the EPCB matrix as a benchmark)
conclude with some recommendations for how the development of exercises (by the entity you studied) might be improved. Also comment on the quality of the matrix - how might it be improved?

what is the difference between a warning signal and a warning system?
what criteria are necessary and sufficient to evaluate a warning system's capability?
what particular lessons from any selected disaster are particularly relevant to the capability of the comprehensive warning system?

References:

Case study

Scenario analysis and exercise management

Examples - exercise scenarios

Warning systems

Emergency Risk Management