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Comparing the UK and US frameworks

An article reviewing the key points of the previous discussions on the emergency planning cycle and on emergency preparedness frameworks.
We have now explored two examples of preparedness frameworks and their implementations.

As we have seen in Step 2.2 The concept of the emergency planning cycle, the UK Civil Contingency model uses a ‘figure of eight’ process.

This is an approach that the US emergency framework also reflects but with slightly different styles:

  • The UK approach is locally based but also hierarchical, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities embedded within the structure.

  • The US approach has adopted a community-based method, with responsibilities for the response delegated to the local level.

The differences in approach reflect the different nature of the threats, the size of the countries and differences in society and politics.

However, they both emphasise the importance of effective planning and the critical nature of training, testing and review.


Your task

Do you think one approach is superior? If so, why?

© Coventry University. CC BY-NC 4.0
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Emergency Planning and Preparedness: An Introduction

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