Use of Standard Operating Procedures for Supporting Cross-Organizational Emergency Management: Challenges and Opportunities Identified from a Tabletop Exercise

Abstract

This study investigated the crucial role of formulating and applying standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the context of emergency planning and response. The effective application of SOPs during operations is essential in order to address challenges that surpass individual organizational capacities. A specific focus on fostering efficient information sharing and executing specified actions maximizes the prospect of success. To explore the collective functionality of SOPs across organizations, we conducted a comprehensive tabletop exercise involving 10 organizations spanning tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Our analysis identified six key challenges, primarily related to the structures for information sharing, communication pathways, and the complex integration and application of common SOPs within these diverse organizational contexts. This research contributes insights into the use of SOPs in large-scale, cross-organizational scenarios.

Keywords

Cross-organizational emergency management / Standard operating procedures / Tabletop exercise / Team situational awareness

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