Citation

Marzolf GS, Sega RM. J. Homeland Secur. Emerg. Manage. 2018; 15(4): e20170056.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Walter de Gruyter)

DOI

10.1515/jhsem-2017-0056

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This research hypothesizes that changes in command and control along with increased levels of trust and training led to a stronger response in Colorado's 2013 Black Forest fire than that of the 2012 Waldo Canyon fire. Because the fires were categorized as the worst in the region's history, and because they occurred in very close succession, in roughly the same area, involving many of the same responders, the fires provide valuable insights into how the response system adapted, or failed to adapt, to overcome key events under both scenarios. The study found that the ability to tailor command and control and supporting response structures to a particular event instead of using traditional rigid frameworks were instrumental to a more effective response. The study goes on to suggest that even though the Black Forest fire was met with an improved response, a systems approach is needed to better accommodate increasingly complex future events.

Language: en

Keywords

wildland urban fire emergency response Colorado systems