Training emergency managers for earthquake response: challenges and opportunities
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to highlight the crucial role of decision makers and emergency managers in reducing the unpleasant consequences of disasters.
Design/methodology/approach
An attempt has been made to clarify the measures for planning and implementation of training issues in earthquake emergency response for the emergency managers as an essential part at various managerial levels.
Findings
The paper reveals that, although the high‐level managers such as ministers are authoritative bodies for managing the routine problems of the country, in situations such as a “major emergency”, specific knowledge and experience of emergency issues are required for the emergency management to be successful. It also explores the ways and opportunities for achieving successful training programmes for the emergency managers.
Research limitations/implications
The existing challenges, including the lack of adequate background knowledge and experience in emergency management, insufficient time to train, the inadequacy of the required technical supporting tools, and other related issues, emerge, which need to be identified.
Practical implications
The research can be practically useful for emergency managers who are involved in response activities in disasters by providing suitable and appropriate recommendations for efficient training.
Originality/value
There are only a few works on training of earthquake emergency managers, especially in developing countries such as Iran.
Keywords
Citation
Hosseini, M. and Izadkhah, Y.O. (2010), "Training emergency managers for earthquake response: challenges and opportunities", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 185-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/09653561011037995
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited