Title: The dominance of mechanistic behaviour: a critical study of emergency exercises

Authors: Johan M. Berlin; Eric D. Carlström

Addresses: Department of Social and Behavioural Studies, University West, SE-461 86 Trollhättan, Sweden ' The Sahlgrenska Academy, Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 457, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden

Abstract: In this paper, the focus is on emergency exercises between the police, rescue services and ambulance. By practising, it is assumed that the conditions improve for a quick normalisation after an incident. The purpose of this paper is to identify whether the exercises are designed after organic action logic and therefore can be assumed to strengthen the ability to handle emergencies. Data have been collected at two large, regional, full-scale exercises (2008 and 2012). Data collection has been done through observations and document studies. The study shows that mechanistic behaviour is quite prevalent in the two studied exercises. They are time consuming and put little emphasis on practising organic behaviour. Too complex exercise scenarios contribute to a low tempo, long waiting periods and slow implementation. To succeed, the exercises need to have a non-linear time sequence and limited scenarios that invite participants to focus on organisational interfaces.

Keywords: accidents; emergency exercises; drills; organic action logic; mechanistic behaviour; police; rescue services; ambulance service; organisational interfaces; Sweden; emergency management; emergency response.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEM.2013.059878

International Journal of Emergency Management, 2013 Vol.9 No.4, pp.327 - 350

Received: 18 Apr 2013
Accepted: 03 Jan 2014
Published online: 03 Mar 2015 *

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