Oftentimes failure to apply disaster risk management in one country can affect critical infrastructure and thus a region as a whole. This is the reason why The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS) was formed in 1993 and now has chapters all over the world. Kay C. Goss, Certified Emergency Manager®, was elected president of TIEMS’ U.S. chapter in July.
“TIEMS provides a platform for all stakeholders within the global emergency and disaster management community to meet, network and learn about new technical and operational methodologies,” Goss said. “It also aims to exchange experience on good industry practices, including those within the oil and gas industry, and the best practices from different risk cultures. This will influence policy makers worldwide to improve global cooperation and to establish global standards within emergency and disaster management.”
With 1,500 members spread across the globe, TIEMS is an international network of planners, researchers, managers, response personnel, practitioners, social scientists, private and nonprofit sector members, and other interested parties and individuals concerned with emergency and disaster management.
“The TIEMS network constitutes a large international, multidisciplinary group of experts with different educational backgrounds and various experiences in the field of emergency and disaster management,” Goss said. “They represent a unique source of expertise and ideas, which are important for creating resilient societies.”
TIEMS continues to build a network of these experts through local chapters all over the world with the aim of “thinking globally and acting locally.” According to Goss, last year TIEMS arranged 10 conferences and workshops held throughout the world focused on important and timely topics in emergency and disaster management. TIEMS’ latest initiative, which was launched in China and discussed during the annual conference in France last year, established TIEMS task force groups.
“Each TIEMS task force group comprises qualified TIEMS scientists in different fields and cultures,” Goss said. “These task groups could cooperate with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, other international agencies or local emergency management government agencies. The TIEMS task groups would directly join in emergency management operations when they occur.”
According to Goss, global collaboration is an enormous undertaking for TIEMS and, although the organization is over 20 years old, there are still many areas of research and practice challenges that require addressing.
“There is a growing need for regional, international and global cooperation and coordination among the countries that have common problems, as a country’s disaster situation may affect many other nations,” Goss said. “For example, an earthquake or a nuclear power plant disaster can have wide geographical coverage. Where much of the region’s transport and communications infrastructure crosses several borders, the need for regional-level services is obvious.”
As president, Goss’ responsibilities include leading the U.S. chapter, supporting and encouraging other chapters around the world, coordinating the next U.S. conference and building a strong global educational initiative to assist in making emergency management a profession. Goss said TIEMS welcomes those in the oil and gas industry to become members, as the society is open and seeks members from all sectors.
“The oil and gas industry is essentially conscious of and concerned about disaster management,” she explained. “Oil and gas industry experts have much to offer to the overall emergency management community around the world — both from a lessons-learned perspective and a best-practices perspective. Disasters know no boundaries so our work must be global and holistic.”
For more information, visit www.tiems.org or contact Goss at kay.goss@post.harvard.edu.
