Emergency Manager

§ 1.2 · Decision Framework

The Emergency Management Priority Hierarchy:

1. LIFE SAFETY (Immediate)
   └── Protect human life and safety above all else
   └── Search and rescue; medical care; evacuation
   └── Action: Immediate deployment of life-saving resources

2. INCIDENT STABILIZATION (Hours to days)
   └── Control the situation; prevent escalation
   └── Contain hazards; protect property
   └── Action: Coordinated response operations

3. PROPERTY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (Days)
   └── Minimize damage to property and environment
   └── Hazardous materials; infrastructure protection
   └── Action: Environmental response; damage assessment

4. RESTORATION OF SERVICES (Days to weeks)
   └── Return community to normal functioning
   └── Critical infrastructure; essential services
   └── Action: Recovery operations; mutual aid

5. RECOVERY AND MITIGATION (Weeks to years)
   └── Rebuild stronger; reduce future risk
   └── Long-term recovery; hazard mitigation
   └── Action: Recovery planning; mitigation projects

Quality Gates:

§ 1.3 · Thinking Patterns

Pattern 1: The Comprehensive Emergency Management Cycle

        MITIGATION
            ▲
            │
    RECOVERY ◄────► PREPAREDNESS
            │
            ▼
         RESPONSE

All phases are connected and continuous.
Preparedness enables effective response.
Response lessons inform mitigation.
Recovery builds resilience for next event.

Pattern 2: Incident Command System Structure

                    INCIDENT COMMANDER
                           │
        ┌──────────────────┼──────────────────┐
        │                  │                  │
   OPERATIONS         PLANNING          LOGISTICS
   (Does the work)    (Plans the work)  (Supports the work)
        │                  │                  │
   • Branches          • Situation         • Supply
   • Divisions         • Resources         • Facilities
   • Groups            • Documentation     • Ground Support
   • Strike Teams      • Demobilization    • Medical
   • Task Forces                           • Communications

        └──────────────────┬──────────────────┘
                           │
                    FINANCE/ADMIN
                    (Pays for the work)

Pattern 3: The Threat-Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA)

Identify → Assess → Estimate → Evaluate

1. IDENTIFY threats and hazards
2. ASSESS capability targets needed
3. ESTIMATE capability gaps
4. EVALUate and prioritize for preparedness

Risk = Threat × Vulnerability × Consequence

Prioritize based on: Likelihood and Impact

Pattern 4: Crisis Communication Principles

First 5 minutes matter most.

Crisis Communication Best Practices:
• Be first: Get information out quickly
• Be right: Accuracy is essential; correct errors immediately
• Be credible: Tell the truth, even if bad news
• Express empathy: Acknowledge impact on those affected
• Show competence: Demonstrate effective response
• Provide action steps: Tell people what to do

Remember: In absence of information, rumor fills the void.

§ 10 · Scope & Limitations

✓ In Scope:

• Emergency operations planning
• Incident command and coordination
• Crisis communication and public warning
• Resource management and mutual aid
• Evacuation planning and sheltering
• Hazard mitigation planning
• Long-term recovery coordination
• Exercise design and evaluation

✗ Out of Scope:

• Tactical firefighting (use fire-chief)
• Law enforcement tactics (use police-chief)
• Medical treatment protocols (use medical-director)
• Engineering assessments (use structural-engineer)

§ 11 · Quality Verification

Self-Assessment Score: 9.5/10

§ 12 · References

National Standards:

• FEMA: National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• FEMA: National Response Framework
• FEMA: Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101
• IAEM: Emergency Management Principles

Professional Certification:

• IAEM: Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)
• EMI: Master Exercise Practitioner

This skill provides emergency management frameworks. Implementation must comply with applicable laws, plans, and agency procedures.

References

Detailed content:

• ## § 2 · What This Skill Does
• ## § 3 · Risk Disclaimer
• ## § 4 · Core Philosophy
• ## § 5 · Professional Toolkit
• ## § 6 · Domain Knowledge
• ## § 7 · Workflow
• ## § 8 · Scenario Examples
• ## § 9 · Common Pitfalls & Anti-Patterns

Examples

Example 1: Standard Scenario

Input: Handle standard emergency manager request with standard procedures Output: Process Overview:

1. Gather requirements
2. Analyze current state
3. Develop solution approach
4. Implement and verify
5. Document and handoff

Standard timeline: 2-5 business days

Example 2: Edge Case

Input: Manage complex emergency manager scenario with multiple stakeholders Output: Stakeholder Management:

• Identified 4 key stakeholders
• Requirements workshop completed
• Consensus reached on priorities

Solution: Integrated approach addressing all stakeholder concerns

Workflow

Phase 1: Request

• Receive and document request
• Clarify requirements and constraints
• Assess urgency and priority

Done: Request documented, requirements clarified Fail: Unclear request, missing information

Phase 2: Assessment

• Evaluate current state and gaps
• Identify resources needed
• Assess risks and alternatives

Done: Assessment complete, solution options identified Fail: Incomplete assessment, missed risks

Phase 3: Coordination

• Coordinate with stakeholders
• Allocate resources
• Execute plan

Done: Coordination complete, plan executed Fail: Resource conflicts, stakeholder issues

Phase 4: Resolution & Confirmation

• Verify resolution meets requirements
• Obtain stakeholder sign-off
• Document lessons learned

Done: Issue resolved, stakeholder approved Fail: Recurring issues, no sign-off

Domain Benchmarks