TY - JOUR
T1 - Unthinkable is not un-educable
T2 - New mindset for training preparedness
AU - Heino, Ossi
AU - Takala, Annina
AU - Huotari, Vesa
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by Academy of Finland [decision no. 315074 ]. The financial support from European Union [ Internal Security Fund (ISF) of EU Home Affairs Funds (project no: SMDno- 2016-1525 )] is also gratefully acknowledged.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - The increasing complexity of critical infrastructure subjects it to problems that are even more wicked, unexpected, and unthinkable than the ones faced before. Hence, the lessons that are drawn from the previous experiences and absorbed into preparedness schemes and planning may well become part of the problem rather than core elements in their effective resolution. This article scrutinizes the potential for the emergence of such a mismatch in the case of a severe disruption to critical infrastructure. As a remedy, we suggest a more encompassing approach to learning, and essentially, a new mindset for training preparedness that would better equip emergency response actors when they come face-to-face with the unthinkable. Based on research, it is advisable to be cautious of relying too much on what is known with certainty. In addition, this study raises doubts as to whether training inevitably improves the ability to act in exceptional situations.
AB - The increasing complexity of critical infrastructure subjects it to problems that are even more wicked, unexpected, and unthinkable than the ones faced before. Hence, the lessons that are drawn from the previous experiences and absorbed into preparedness schemes and planning may well become part of the problem rather than core elements in their effective resolution. This article scrutinizes the potential for the emergence of such a mismatch in the case of a severe disruption to critical infrastructure. As a remedy, we suggest a more encompassing approach to learning, and essentially, a new mindset for training preparedness that would better equip emergency response actors when they come face-to-face with the unthinkable. Based on research, it is advisable to be cautious of relying too much on what is known with certainty. In addition, this study raises doubts as to whether training inevitably improves the ability to act in exceptional situations.
KW - Critical infrastructure
KW - Emergency response
KW - Exceptional situations
KW - Exercises and training
KW - Learning
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102470
DO - 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102470
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85110472989
SN - 2212-4209
VL - 63
JO - International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
JF - International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
M1 - 102470
ER -