Agency Coordination and the Role of the Media in Disaster Management

Abstract

This study utilises survey research to describe and explain the role of the primary agencies, emergency managers and media reporters in agency coordination in disaster preparedness and response in Hawaii. An administrative case study is also utilised, based on an extensive review of Hawaii government documents and interviews with key personnel of the Hawaii Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC), civil defense and other relevant government officials. Based on the perceptions of emergency managers and media reporters of the extent and role of interagency coordination at the Federal, State, and County, and community level, the study provides recommendations on how to improve capability in agency coordination and disaster management. The study further recommends increased funding for family emergency preparedness and local community response teams, and suggests that continuous training by emergency response coordinators could improve state and county disaster preparedness, and that coordination with the media reporting on disasters could be improved.