Dissertation: Much Room for Improvement in Emergency-related Communications

In his doctoral dissertation in the field of futures studies, Kimmo Laakso, D.Sc. (Technology), studied emergency preparedness and responses. Emergencies can be caused by human activity, extreme weather, other natural conditions, or both together. In his research, Laakso focused on major accidents caused by or taking place within a company.

The objective of the study was to gain an overall understanding of emergency management and the related communications challenges, and, from a professional perspective, to propose solutions in order to improve communications over a five-year time span.

According to Laakso, emergency management typically requires more capabilities and resources than are available in an organisation on a daily basis. Cooperation between different authorities and companies, and more efficient pooling of management systems and resources, are required.

– To ensure effective and efficient cooperation in an emergency between all the parties involved, it is essential that everyone has access to accurate up-to-date information on what has happened and what will happen, Laakso says.

Carefully Planned Drills Could Lead to Better Joint Understanding

Research shows that the authorities should shift the focus of their operations to prevention. The authorities should identify best practices in their respective fields and put these to active use in situations such as when providing advice on emergency preparedness and preparing risk analyses. Meanwhile, companies should take action to integrate preparedness into their everyday business management.

– The lack of interoperability between vital information systems was an issue that came up repeatedly. Research results suggest that interoperability may be challenging but not impossible to achieve. Other major problems in emergency response communication include lack of consistent terminology and the use of professional jargon.  This will become an increasingly important issue in the future, as the frequency of situations requiring a response from multiple authorities is expected to grow. Better planning and coordination of rescue drills between the authorities and companies would contribute to joint understanding, Laakso explains.

Delphi Method Helped to Create an Effective Communication Process

The above empirical observations are based on the Delphi process, in which a panel of 48 experts representing an authority, company and stakeholder affected by the emergency answers questions in three rounds. The Delphi method is commonly used in futures studies, and has proven to be an effective method of solving problems which might affect the near future.

– The Delphi method helped to establish an effective communication process between the representatives of various interest groups, with the views of the experts involved complementing each other.

Laakso's dissertation, completed at the University of Turku, is the first in Finland to be completed within the discipline of futures studies.

– Although a number of dissertations have been written in Finland in the field of futures research, Kimmo Laakso is the first person to have completed a doctoral dissertation within the discipline itself, professor Petri Tapio clarifies.

Futures studies has been a separate subject at the University of Turku since last year, and the doctoral training programme is one of a kind worldwide.

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Kimmo Laakso defended his doctoral dissertation in Futures Studies entitled  Management of major accidents - Communication challenges and solutions in the preparedness and response phases for both authorities and companies on the 22nd of August, 2014.

Opponent: Docent Mikko Valkonen (Aalto University)
Custodian: Petri Tapio