NPHS 1510: Federal and International Framework

Emergency Problem Solving, Decision Making and Risk

Lesson Outline Problem Solving 20 minutes Decision Making 30 minutes     Certainty 20 minutes     Uncertainty 30 minutes     Competition 40 minutes Risk 15 minutes     Personal 20 minutes     Infrastructure 30 minutes

Objectives The purpose of this lesson is to establish a broad understanding of the concepts that inform problem solving, decision-making, and risk management in the context of emergency situations. The goal here is not to develop intensive knowledge about all decision-making and risk management strategies, but rather to extend students' appreciation of the issues related to problem-oriented decision making. This lesson will also serve as a preview of the types of coverage provided in the Analytics course.

Preparation Before taking the sections on decision making and risk, please read the following:

Reading     Judgment and decision making under stress: an overview for emergency managers, Kathleen M. Kowalski-Trakofler and Charles Vaught, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Reading     Congressional Research Service Report RL33858, The Department of Homeland Security’s Risk Assessment Methodology: Evolution, Issues, and Options for Congress, February 2, 2007 by Todd Masse, Siobhan O’Neil and John Rollins

Annotation This lesson uses a "Hi-Liter" metaphor to emphasize and mark up supplemental material within the text. The standard markups are:

Exercise     Tasks to explore.

Resources     Links to relevant extra source materials. These materials go beyond the lesson.

Reading     Selected textual material to read in preparation for the lesson.

Definition     Formal definitions of terms. In most cases these are DHS and/or FEMA definitions. Links are provided to the source.

Navigation At the end of each section of this lesson are buttons to help the user navigate the lesson and contact the instructor. The buttons are:

Copyright © 2011 Ken Sochats