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On the Need for a Paradigm Shift in the D utch Command and Information System for the Acute Phase of Disasters
Author(s) -
Scholtens Astrid,
Jorritsma Jan,
Helsloot Ira
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of contingencies and crisis management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.007
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1468-5973
pISSN - 0966-0879
DOI - 10.1111/1468-5973.12035
Subject(s) - sketch , phase (matter) , computer security , information system , shock (circulatory) , information warfare , computer science , position (finance) , meaning (existential) , risk analysis (engineering) , operations research , business , engineering , law , political science , medicine , psychology , chemistry , finance , algorithm , psychotherapist , organic chemistry
By and large, scientists agreed on what should be the output of a good command and information system in the acute phase of a disaster. The public needs fast and accurate information and fast ‘meaning‐making’ if they are to be as self‐reliant as possible and to be in the best possible position to cope with the shock of the disaster. Operational units need decentralized command and sometimes fast strategic decision‐making. Despite this, classical command and information systems such as the three‐tier system required by law in the N etherlands fail to deliver in this regard. We sketch an analytical framework which when applied to the D utch system predicts its failure. We also present a different command and information system, already used in the D renthe S afety R egion, which satisfies the analytical framework. Early experience with the D renthe system shows the potential of the new system but also shows that no system is better than the people in it.