Final Thesis in the Context of Postgraduate Disaster Management
Author: Yves Stevens
The summary at the beginning of the work opens with the essence of the final thesis, in my opinion:
“During emergencies, it is observed that solidarity among people increases. Citizens spontaneously offer assistance to the affected and are willing to support the government in managing the emergency. In most cases, this assistance is positively evaluated by the emergency services.
However, it is remarkable that the government is not or barely prepared for this spontaneous citizen assistance.”
In his final thesis, the author investigates the following problem statement:
“How can Discipline 5 prepare and organize itself during an acute phase to utilize citizen assistance as efficiently as possible in managing the emergency situation?”
To this end, he employs two methods: literature study and interviews.
From the work, the following points stood out to me:
The literature aims to dispel three myths:
- Citizens panic.
- Citizens are apathetic, helpless, and dependent.
- Looting occurs during a disaster.
People spontaneously help people.
Citizen assistance is essential in the “golden hour” for the survival chances of the affected.
During an emergency, a consensus among citizen rescuers emerges that determines priorities. Spontaneous “leaders” also emerge.
Citizens usually lack specialized knowledge and equipment.
Timing in the emergency largely determines citizens’ actions: initially life-saving measures, later focusing on victim care and primary needs.
Citizen assistance is also a form of psychological coping process for the general population.
Self-reliance and citizen assistance strongly depend on geographical factors.
Citizens may overestimate their own abilities.
A drawback of citizen assistance is the lack of coordination.
Citizens are not trained or prepared for disasters.
The legal issue between citizens and the government remains unresolved.
Citizens can take over simple tasks from emergency services.
Citizens often have better knowledge of the terrain.
Media reporting on citizen assistance is colored by the three myths.
The ANIPs (General Emergency and Intervention Plans) of the Belgian provinces do not account for citizen assistance.
The PIP (Police Intervention Plan) and the MIP (Medical Intervention Plan) only marginally consider spontaneous citizen assistance.
Citizens hardly engage in exercises.
The government cannot afford the many uncertainties of citizen assistance.
Social media are crucial for citizen assistance.
In Chapter VIII, the author discusses the interviews, addressing the following hypotheses:
- Our emergency plans do not take citizen assistance into account.
- The benefits of citizen assistance do not outweigh the disadvantages.
- The government relies on the military doctrine of “chaos – command – control.”
- Increased litigation prevents the government from incorporating citizen assistance into emergency planning.
- Citizen assistance can be directed through communication.
One of the fruits of the final thesis is delivered in Chapter IX, where the author discusses the Crisis Communication Work Process (WPCC). He designates citizen rescuers as one of the target groups of Discipline 5 and its roles. The role of the Mayor, Governor, or Minister is also addressed.
