The problem of emergency supply: Best practice in the preparation and response phases

Abstract

This paper discuss the problems inherent in planning and responding to disaster events in a multi-agency context where numerous actors and agencies are involved in the planning and response phases. In particular we examine a situation where a lead agency has been delegated the responsibility for emergency supply and how it determines best practice. Exploratory in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 CDEM organisations and key managers within Australasia who highlighted a number of emergency supply issues. We discuss the problem of coordinated supply management in developed countries where mandated/lead response agencies are required to meet stakeholder and local community expectations and outcomes. From this we then formulate a scenario based model for disaster planning that incorporates; desired outcomes, scale, resources, constraints and agency integration to better manage the desired response. Finally, we offer a range of practical recommendations to assist multi-agent coordinated of supply management. Humanitarian logistics is usually examined from a developing country perspective, yet efficient and effective disaster response is no less important for modern economies. In this respect we offer a relatively novel scenario based planning model that incorporates community outcomes from the beginning and should facilitate interagency cooperation to achieve best practice for emergency logistics