Resilience in Emergency Management Core Concepts and Practical Applications

List of figures xi
List of tables xii
About the authors xiii

1 Introducing the textbook 1
Introduction 1
Chapter synopsis 2
How to use this book 5
Historical background to the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) 5
Key terms and definitions 7
Understanding CAT1 responders 7
Understanding CAT2 responders 8
Understanding local resilience forums 8
References 8
Part One: Knowledge, systems, and processes

2 Societal resilience 13
Glossary 13
Teaching aid 14
Societal resilience – definitions, concepts, theories, and frameworks 14
Key concepts and definitions: Resilience, community, societal terminology, and history 15
Historical and policy context 16
Elsewhere 16
Research approaches to societal resilience 17
Definitions and disciplinary perspectives 17
Society 19
Societal resilience 19
Theoretical frameworks 20
Personal resilience 21
More on societal resilience 22
Relevant studies and reviews for societal/community resilience 23
Wider perspectives 26
Challenges in advancing societal resilience 27
Dark side of resilience 27
Strategies for building resilience: Practical tools and techniques 28
Assessment tools: Tools and methods for assessing societal resilience 29
Case studies and best practices 30
Future directions for societal resilience 31
Conclusion 32
Answers to assessing current knowledge 33
1. Definition and significance of societal resilience 33
2. Key components and dimensions 33
3. Theoretical frameworks and case studies 33
4. Assessment and monitoring tools 33
5. Strategies for building resilience 34
References 35

3 Developing response readiness 41
Glossary 41
Introduction 42
Training overview 42
Educational learning and training courses 43
Training courses 43
Tabletop scenarios and workshops 44
Workshops 47
Multi-agency exercises or simulations 47
Gamification 50
Conclusion 53
Answers to assessing current knowledge 54
Training aid 54
References 55

4 Response, structure, and methods 57
Glossary 57
Teaching tips 58
Introduction 58
Overview of current response models in the UK 59
Understanding the role of Local Resilience Forums 60
National Occupational Standards and JESIP 62
JESIP principles in more detail 63
Co-locate 64
Communicate 65
Coordinate 67
Understanding the risks 68
Psychology and human factors 69
Groupthink 70
Shared situation awareness 71
Public expectations and political pressure 72
Learning lessons after each response 73
Key points from major incidents linked to JESIP 73
Working with NGOs and the wider community 74
Conclusion 75
Answers to assessing current knowledge 76
Individual post-chapter learning 76
Training aid 76
References 77

5 Recovery post-incident 79
Glossary 79
Introduction 80
Defining recovery 80
Understanding the phases and complexity of recovery 81
Legal and policy frameworks for recovery in the UK 82
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 82
National Recovery Guidance 83
The UK Government Resilience Framework (Cabinet Office 2022) 83
Exercising Best Practice Guidance (UK Resilience Academy (2025) 84
Understanding recovery impacts 84
Recovery planning and coordination 84
Balancing physical rebuilding with emotional and social support in recovery 84
Community-led recovery: Reframing the role of local actors 85
The role of recovery communications 86
Vulnerable populations and communication in recovery 87
Psychological and social recovery 87
Leadership and governance in recovery 88
The role of data, AI, and technology 88
Long-term timeframes 89
Framing recovery as an extreme management challenge 89
Applying principles of effective recovery management 90
Evaluating recovery outcomes 91
Challenges in recovery 92
Commemorating disasters with memorials 93
Conclusion 96
Case studies 96
Toll Bar, Doncaster flooding 2007, UK (Easthope and Mort, 2014) 96
Christchurch earthquake 2011, New Zealand 96
Recovery challenges following the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final,
Paris 97
Answers to assessing current knowledge 99
References 101

6 Communicating in a crisis 104
Glossary 104
Introduction 105
Updating foundational models for modern communication complexities 106
How crisis communications links to the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) 107
Risk communications versus crisis communications 108
Training crisis communications 110
The impact of social media on crisis communication 112
Artificial intelligence and crisis communication 113
Case studies for crisis communication in action 115
Conclusion 116
Answers to assessing current knowledge 118
Post-chapter learning 118
Training aid 119
Exercise – example answer 119
References 120

Part Two: Society and psychology
7 Community communication and psychology 125
Glossary 125
Introduction 126
Individual psychological responses 128
Community-level psychological effects 128
Case examples 129
The role of emergency managers 129
Effective communication 129
Core principles of effective communication 129
The CERC model 130
Good practices for practitioners 130
Trust, perception, and misinformation 131
UK examples of misinformation in emergencies 131
Strategies to build trust and counter misinformation 132
Community engagement and resilience 132
Communication with vulnerable populations 133
Barriers to effective communication 134
Legal and policy frameworks 134
Case example: Flooding in Cumbria (2015) 135
Monitoring and evaluation 135
Traditional communication channels 135
Digital and mobile technologies 136
Accessibility and inclusivity in technology 136
Monitoring and feedback tools 136
Psychological first aid and recovery communication 137
Special considerations for anniversaries and memorials 138
Case example: Grenfell Tower recovery communication 138
Case studies and lessons learned 138
Case study 1: Grenfell Tower fire (2017) 138
Case study 2: Manchester Arena bombing (2017) 139
Case study 3: COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) 140
Cross-cutting themes and takeaways 140
Conclusion 140
Answers to assessing current knowledge 142
Discussion questions and activities 142
References 145

8 Humanitarian response 149
Glossary 149
Introduction 150
Defining response centres 150
Early example of humanitarian support 151
International humanitarian response 151
Civil Contingencies Act (2004) (CCA) 152
Who pays for the Rest Centre or the HAC? 152
When to open a Rest Centre? 153
Local Authorities (LAs) and Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) 154
CAT2 responders – those who may be asked to respond as defined by the
CCA (2004) 154
Training and exercising a Rest Centre set-up 156
Communicating about a Rest Centre 157
Barriers to communication for Rest Centres 158
First 24 hours for a Rest Centre 158
Second 24 hours for a Rest Centre 160
First 24 hours for a HAC 161
Services a Rest Centre or HAC offers 161
Specific HAC services 163
What happens after the Rest Centre closes? 163
Case study – UK floods, 2007 165
Interview – case study 166
Conclusion 168
Post-chapter learning 170
References 172

9 Innovations in preparedness and response 174
Glossary 174
Introduction 175
Gamification 176
Gamification and the community 176
Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) 177
Digital twins, crowdsourcing, and mapping 178
Use of wearable technology 180
Interview for use of VR in exercises 182
How do you feel VR adds value to crisis management training and exercising? 182
Is there any one thing that you can point to that is really enhanced by using VR for training and exercising? This might be skills building, confidence, or anything else you have observed or found through your work 182
What are the key advantages that technology has over traditional training in crisis management? 183
How does VR work when used specifically in multi-agency exercises? (i.e. challenges, advantages capturing data and information) 183
Finally, what is the next technology that you think will really enhance crisis management, and why? 184
Ethical artificial intelligence with machine learning 184
Early warning systems 186
Conclusion 187
Post-chapter learning questions and actions – take time to reflect 189
Training aid 189
References 190

10 Public inquiries and hearings 193
Glossary 193
Key terminology for inquiries and hearings 193
Introduction 195
What is a public inquiry? 195
Establishment and leadership 196
Powers and transparency 196
Contributions and limitations 197
Enhancing emergency response through inquiry frameworks 197
Stakeholder engagement and communication strategies 198
Legal implications and data privacy 199
Technology and digital evidence management 199
Integration with broader emergency management governance 199
Preparing to give evidence: Organisational readiness and professional competence 201
Training and exercising: Building confidence and defensibility 201
Log-keeping as a core competency 202
Diversity and inclusion in inquiry processes 202
Ongoing monitoring and updates following public inquiries 203
The consequences of public inquiries and need for support 204
Conclusion 205
Training aid 205
Answers to assessing current knowledge 208
Answers to training aid 208
References 210
Index 212



Biography

Gail Rowntree is a published author in the field of aviation crisis and emergency management, with field experience from over 40 deployments both nationally and internationally as part of a response organisation. Gail is now a freelance consultant and is a trainer for ICAO, Director of Learning and Development for Frontier Risks Group, and runs her own business.

Beverley Griffiths is the course leader for the MSc Organisational Risk and Resilience at Buckinghamshire New University, bringing extensive practitioner experience across local and central government. She has contributed to UK guidance, National Occupational Standards, and training packages in emergency management and public safety, authored industry articles, and actively supports the sector through her professional affiliations.

This book provides a valuable resource for students, teachers and researchers of risk and resilience.  The book introduces the key issues in this rapidly developing industry in an uncertain world. 

Professor Edward Borodzicz, West Saxon University of Applied Sciences of Zwickau

 

The authors have compiled a first-rate guide to crisis and emergency management for all involved in this critical area, covering preparation, response and resilience. It is often the first few hours and days of an emergency that decide the success, or otherwise, of any response. Therefore, we need to have the right tools at hand to steer us through the inevitable disorder and this textbook provides a welcome compendium of the latest thinking, measures and standards to minimise that disruption.

By addressing ‘Knowledge, Systems and Processes’ in the first part of the guide, and ‘Society and Psychology’ in the second part, it has been possible to cover a lot of ground that should be invaluable to newcomers and professionals alike. It is good to see a complete and final chapter (Part 2, Chapter 10) devoted to public inquiries and the involvement that participants can expect as it is an expanding topic of relevance and interest.

It is also helpful to see how each chapter is supported by learning objectives, tasks, interviews and exercises that expand the understanding of the subjects in the face of growing complexity. The topic of societal resilience is the focus of Part 1, Chapter 2, and with the interest in a whole-of-society / system approach, it is encouraging to see strategies, assessment tools and models offered: case studies and best practices further enhance the text.

This book is well worth reading and having ready for the next crisis.

Robert Hall, Co-founder of Resilience First