Citation

Ody K. Safety Sci. 1995; 20(1): 125-133.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

To ease the task of the decision maker in crisis it is important to understand both the responsibilities of the role, and the elements of crisis which impact significantly on that role. A crisis, or unstructured event, is one for which conventional procedures do not apply, and is therefore an event which demands a considered response, and decision maker interpretation. Research has shown that the role of the decision maker is fragile, and influenced by the amount of information support available, as well as the technical and logistical support provided. Development of a good emergency plan, which structures the task of the crisis decision maker, needs to ensure 1. (1) pre-incident identification of hazards,2. (2) the use of agreed communications, and3. (3) the introduction of a third party to promote the coordination of lead decision makers. Decision maker supports such as these should ideally make it possible for the individual dealing with crisis to gather accurate information and therefore act efficiently to contain the threat, rather than coping with each new disaster as it strikes.