Emergency Management Masters Papers

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Assessing the Preparedness and Mitigation Research on Tornadoes: Clarifying Risk Perceptions and Identifying Contradictions
(North Dakota State University, 2012) Freeman, Pierre Albert
This paper examines literature from various disciplines contributing to the objective of saving lives and reducing damages from tornadoes. Specific topics include changes in tornado incidence, the genesis of tornadoes, and alterations in geographical distributions of tornadoes. I also review data on damages, casualties and deaths along with associated housing type vulnerability and atypical nocturnal tornado events. Literature associated with predictions including historical data and forecasting is addressed. Further data was presented regarding false alarms, warnings, watches and response behavior. Finally, mitigation issues regarding policy and planning, building practices and sheltering is reviewed. While reviewing the data, several contradictions were found regarding density, lead time expectations, vehicular use and actual increases in events and damages. Perception of risk may be dependent on factors of cultural geography and societal memory. Improved understanding of warning times, effective education, outreach and removing the human factor in tornadoes are points that need further study.
Evaluation of Response Plans in Two Counties: Implications for Response Planning in North Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Adjari, Florija
This comprehensive paper sought to evaluate two county emergency response plans to determine the implications of their plan quality for Central Plains Ag Services, a North Dakota agricultural business, that handles hazardous chemicals. The planning research literature was reviewed to identify what steps are taken in the planning process, the characteristics that impact plan quality, the importance of participation in planning, and the recommended plan content for all plans regardless of type and response plans specifically. The basic evaluation characteristics for plan quality were identified and these items, along with recommended content were put into an evaluation form. This evaluation form was used to evaluate the two county response plans and the findings of each evaluation were discussed. The implications of the findings for Central Plains Ag Services were discussed and recommendations were made to improve county plans.
Examining NGO Performance: A Case of the Cluster Approach
(North Dakota State University, 2017) Thomas, Brian Jason
The need for coordinated efforts to respond to emerging crises, disasters, and conflicts has become ever-more apparent in the past decade. As events occur more frequently, at a larger scale, and the 24 hour news cycle associated with cable networks and the web-based media enhanced the public’s exposure to disasters, the need for coordination has become more apparent. To that end the United Nations implemented the Cluster Approach. In the decade since its deployment, starting with the Pakistan Earthquake of 2006, little independent academic research has been conducted to assess the approach. Instead, the literature tends to be confined to two camps: internal after action reports from the United Nations and editorials in respected, though non-academic journals, such as Slate Magazine. The following paper suggests exploratory research be done to assess whether the coordination approaches utilized by the Cluster Approach are proving to be beneficial, efficient, and functional.
Factors Associated with Collaboration in Disaster Response
(North Dakota State University, 2014) Carignan, Stanley Allan
This paper explores the factors the literature suggests help organizations collaborate during disaster response. The nature of disasters requires that people and organizations collaborate; yet, collaboration has been frequently identified as a problem by policymakers and researchers alike. It would be of value to policymakers and researchers if there was an understanding of the factors that contribute to collaboration. The paper attempted to address this issue. It identifies four categories of variables that the literature suggests lead to inter-organizational collaboration including leadership, relationships, culture, and inter-dependency. The paper also suggests how understanding of these factors might be applied in practice, policy, and future research.
Informal Material Convergence Behavior and Emergency Management: Looking a Gift Horse in the Mouth
(North Dakota State University, 2013) Cole-Corde, Aleczandre Nikoluas
Informal material convergence behavior is the spontaneous movement of unsolicited donations from donors to emergency management for disaster relief activities. This behavior is widely accepted as an appropriate social response after disasters. However, this behavior frequently results in excessive amounts of unsolicited donations which create numerous problems for emergency management. Most donors appear unaware of the issues associated with contributing unsolicited donations. The challenge is to reeducate the media and the public about what are considered the appropriate types of donations to contribute for disaster survivors. Informal material convergence behavior is a problem that can be resolved through social-psychological approaches. Social-psychological research can be used in donation strategies to help solve this problem. This includes incorporating persuasive techniques into hazard awareness messaging, using technology and social media to convey the messaging, and conducting more disaster research and monitoring to ascertain if messaging is received, interpreted, and acted upon as intended.
Perceptions of Emergency Managers on Vulnerability and Institutional Preparedness of Colleges and Universities in the Red River Valley
(North Dakota State University, 2016) Theurer, Kent Douglas
The present study examines emergency management related perceptions of campus officials who are responsible for overseeing the general disaster preparedness of at five diverse colleges and universities in the Red River Valley. This paper attempts to specifically examine in higher education what has been called the Thomas Theorem or “What is perceived real, is real in its consequences” (Thomas 1970). This further examination is accomplished through in-depth interviews using a survey tool based around three research questions: “How do the responsible campus officials perceive campus vulnerabilities?”, “How do the responsible campus officials perceive preparedness measures that have been undertaken by their campuses?”, and finally “Is there a match between preparedness measures and perceptions of campus vulnerabilities?” The present study also suggests areas where additional study may further benefit emergency management related decisions at higher education institutions.
Social Capital and Preparedness: Key Concepts and Recommendations for Emergency Managers
(North Dakota State University, 2018) Burkhardt, Vincent Paolino
This paper reviews and synthesizes the research surrounding social capital and its implications and applications for disaster preparedness and response. The purpose of this effort is to focus and synthesize the many ways social capital can be leveraged by emergency management practitioners to increase preparedness and response performance. The literature review provides contextual underpinnings for recommendations within five strategic domain areas. These recommendations are intended to deliver actionable steps that emergency management practitioners can use as they prepare for and respond to disasters.

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