ENF ENF

Reconstitution of emergency operations center

ELEMENTS OF RESILIENCE AFTER THE WORLD TRADE CENTER DISASTER: RECONSTITUTING NEW YORK CITYS EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER

From the article disasters, 2003, 27(1): 37-53 published by James M Kendra consisting of 18 pages

In response to the world trade center disaster of 2001. The emergency operations center was on the 23rd floor of the world trade center after the catastrophe they relocated to the semi-permanent location at pier 92 on the Hudson river. To collect this information qualitative data was gathered through fieldwork that involved direct observation, use of other articles and data gathered from other agencies

The emergency operation center has six main functions which include coordination, policy making, operations management all the way to hosting visitors. They centralize personnel and equipment needed for disaster management. This organization is in close association with the mayor’s office. The former location in the world trade center was totally destroyed and none of the equipment was saved. Later they moved to an office facility in Brooklyn

Their resilience was proven where they were able to withstand the attack and the constant moving without deteriorating in the services they offer. In only 96 hours, they had made a makeshift office in 92nd pier in Hudson river which was a facility meant for a bioterrorism attack drill. This set an example of craftsmanship with respect to problem solving. The center might have been destroyed but the organization stood tall above the challenges and continued to offer the designated services

The emergency operations center is depicted in a perfect organization in this article where they fail to talk about its shortcomings. The author should have gone ahead to talk about other emergency centers around New York. They should have also focused more on the individual people took part in this tragedy. In the 15th page the author talks of “trappings of permanence” to talk about the permanent location of the facility in Brooklyn.

Reference

Lifted from: Kendra, J, M, &Wachtendorf, T. (2003). Elements of resilience after the world trade center disaster: reconstituting New York City’s Emergency Operations center. Disasters, 27(1), 37-53