Towards emergency management of natural disasters and critical accidents: The Greek experience

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2011-10, Vol.92 (10), p.2657-2665
• Main Authors: Nivolianitou, Zoe, Synodinou, Barbara
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidents; Adult; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Attitude; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Crisis management; Disaster Planning - organization & administration; Disaster relief; Disasters; Emergencies; Emergency management; Emergency preparedness; Emergency procedures; Emergency Responders; Emergency response; Environmental protection; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Government; Greece; Health Planning - organization & administration; Humans; Interviews; Interviews as Topic; Male; Management; Management of crises; Middle Aged; Natural disasters; Opinion; Organizations; Pilot Projects; Professional Competence; Public Health; Public management; Voluntary organizations; Volunteers
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.06.003

This paper presents the findings of a prototype study which sought to identify factors that contribute to effective emergency management in Greece and other European states regarding both natural disasters and critical accidents. The parameters for proper action and successful intervention in operational and logistical are identified based on the document analysis and interviews with emergency responders. The interviews are conducted between state-owned and voluntary organizations. They were asked to rate in terms of their importance for effective emergency response efforts. This paper offers useful information of the organization and management of emergency response in Greece, as well as provides interesting responders’ opinions data concerning important priorities in the emergency management area. Despite the fact that the data come from the Greek experience, the conclusions may be applied for a broader use in the emergency planning of disasters. The whole study has been undertaken within the European Pre-Emergencies (PreEm) project. ► The submitted research work is original, as it is based on field data collected directly from participating stakeholders. ► The subject has not been analyzed before to this extend; namely national Greek practices in Emergency Management of Natural Disasters. ► It is shedding light on the connection that Emergency Management practices share common characteristics among various European countries. ► Human related factors in successful intervention can be common to a big variety of operating groups in all western countries.