FRIEND OR FOE? THE RELATIONSHIP OF INTERLOCAL COLLABORATION AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

preparedness;grants;regionalism;not listed

Errett, Nicole AnnBarnett, Daniel J. ;

Johns Hopkins University

关键词: preparedness;    grants;    regionalism;    not listed;   

Others  :  https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/39317/ERRETT-DISSERTATION-2014.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: JOHNS HOPKINS DSpace Repository

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHorizontal intergovernmental coordination, or interlocal collaboration, is an ongoing strategy to enhance U.S. emergency preparedness. The Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency since 2003, has provided 64 high-risk metropolitan areas funding to enhance their interlocal preparedness capabilities. As preparedness funding begins to dwindle, it is important to understand how interlocal collaboration relates to emergency preparedness, how federal homeland security dollars contribute to such an association, and how emergency preparedness exercises can be used to enhance and assess interlocal collaboration. MethodsA cross-sectional on-line survey was developed and administered in late 2013 to points of contact from FFY2010-funded UASI regions. Summary statistics were calculated to describe the current informal and formal regional collaboration infrastructure. Additionally, rates of agreement with eight collaborative preparedness statements at three time points were collected in the cross-sectional survey, and analyzed for changes over time.In early 2014, key informants (KIs), knowledgeable about the UASI program, were interviewed. An initial, purposive sample of KIs was identified in coordination with practice-based partners. A snowball sampling strategy was subsequently employed until data saturation was attained. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded, and iteratively analyzed.ResultsForty-nine (77.8%) FFY2010 UASI regions responded to the survey. UASIs reported engaging in collaborative activities and investments to build capabilities, and conducting assessments of their capabilities at the UASI regional level. Collaborative relationships in preparedness among emergency managers and municipal chief executive officers improved during the FFY2010 UASI performance period compared to the pre-UASI award period, with lasting effects among urban areas with discontinued funding. Twenty-eight KIs were interviewed during 24 interviews. Impacts, barriers, incentives, facilitators, and disadvantages to interlocal collaboration were identified. The UASI program was thought to have a profound and unique impact on the association of interlocal collaboration and national preparedness. KIs felt exercises could enhance interlocal collaboration through seven distinct mechanisms. Exercise design characteristics to promote interlocal collaboration were identified. ConclusionsInterlocal collaborations contribute to overall national preparedness. Grant programs, such as the UASI, as well as exercise programs, can be used to incentivize, foster, and evaluate preparedness-related interlocal collaboration.