Analytical Input to Emergency Preparedness at the Municipal Level – a Case Study

In this paper an approach for employing risk and vulnerability analyses as the basis for emergency preparedness planning is discussed and exemplified using a case study. The study consisted of three connected parts: a broad scope hazard identification and analysis, an assessment of potential assistance needs should any of the hazards materialise and finally a mapping of actors and dependencies. The case study was conducted as a series of workshops, involving key actors from the studied municipality. Some thirty hazard scenarios, originating from five different categories; accidents, epidemics, infrastructure/utilities breakdown/interruption, criminal activity and socially induced scenarios were identified, described and initially evaluated in terms of possible consequences over a range of predefined attributes. In the next step, an analysis of potential assistance needs that may evolve during the identified scenarios was undertaken. Furthermore, an effort was made to identify municipal actors of central importance in the management of potential emergency scenarios, their respective tasks, resources and dependence on service from various technical infrastructures, other actors etc. Examples from the resulting overview of potential emergency scenarios, generated assistance needs and emergency management actors, tasks, resources and dependencies are presented and discussed, alongside with some implications for societal preparedness activities.