A focal point for standardized assessment of regional disaster resilience

What is the most effective way to assess regional disaster resilience and measure progress?

Our research posits that every element of systems interoperability is an enabler of regional disaster resilience, and arguably should become a focal point for standardized measurement of communities’ ability to work together. In a recent published academic paper, we defined systems interoperability as the ability of human and technical systems to work together. This concept is foundational to any regional effort.

In this blog, we’d like to invite this community to consider and digest a few concepts:

• Linkage between systems interoperability and regional disaster resilience
• Measuring systems interoperability
• The Capability Quotient (CQ)
• NATO & U.S. Department of Homeland Security pilots

Assessing Systems Interoperability

Systems interoperability can be qualitatively and quantitatively assessed when characterized as five forms of capital: Governance; Standard Operating Procedures; Technology; Training and Exercises; and Usage. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security developed the SAFECOM Interoperability Continuum originally used this framework to define interoperability. We have revised the continuum to apply to a broader global audience, and have updated the technology and usage “lanes” to incorporate human factors and ergonomics considerations.  What do you think?

Interoperability Continuum v2.0, by Joel Thomas

In our research, we link systems interoperability and regional disaster resilience. In terms of capability maturity, the degree to which communities are prepared to be interoperable will determine the degree and speed in which communities can adapt and stabilize after a disruption. There is a lot of research on technical systems interoperability, but we are introducing a new dimension to the human interoperability conversation.

Introducing the Capability Quotient (CQ)

Human interoperability requires that people must tune their behaviors to achieve mutual success as they work together. How well one performs in their career and personal life is influenced by both their Intelligence Quotient (IQ), an assessment of human intelligence, and their Emotional Quotient (EQ), the ability to identify and manage emotions and their impact on decision-making. Whether human systems are ready to succeed is influenced by their Capability Quotient (CQ). The authors define CQ as an assessment of the readiness posture and relative responsiveness of personnel and assets to perform a mission.  

The capability quotient concept is centered on the idea that an individual may be the most intelligent person in the world and have a great ability to navigate intense conflict and make the right decisions, but if they have no capability and are not postured to do anything about it, then they are no better off. Of concern is the ability of dissimilar technical ecosystems to work together to serve the needs of the community. To develop and improve an organization’s crisis information management CQ, the human, social and organizational interoperability components must be superimposed on the technical interoperability components.

Measuring Systems Interoperability in Practice

We have taken these concepts and conducted capability maturity assessments focused on a core capability: information sharing. The assessment is based on the DHS Incident Management Information Sharing (IMIS) Capability Maturity Model (CMM). This model implementation is currently being developed and piloted in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Advanced Regional Civil Emergency Coordination Pilot (ARCECP) with twenty-three organizations in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, and Montenegro. It is also being piloted with communities in South Carolina and Colorado. The intended effect of the model implementation is to enable communities to answer two key questions: “Have we measurably improved crisis information management capabilities as a result of this effort?” and, “As a result, are we more resilient?”

If you have any questions, please contact us at jthomas@spinglobal.co or asquirini@spinglobal.co.   

As CEO of SPIN Global, Joel has supported regional and national-level homeland security and emergency preparedness initiatives for the U.S. government, and has provided technical assistance, conducted exercises and provided training directly to agencies in 45 states and hundreds of local agencies and private sector companies. Joel developed a “Crisis Information Management Framework for Regional Disaster Resiliency” for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and implemented the framework with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Advanced Regional Civil Emergency Coordination Pilot with Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia and Montenegro.

Joel is a seasoned disaster resilience researcher, and has a proven track record in capacity building, data science and technological innovation in the field of emergency management and civil emergency protection. He has led numerous implementations of government and community based resilience initiatives, including critical infrastructure protection, incident management, information sharing, interoperability, educational programs, and international development. Joel Thomas served as the Private Sector Co-Chair of the FEMA National Level Exercise 2018. Joel has supported community development, disaster and humanitarian relief as well as economic empowerment in 40 nations