COVID-19 as a Compound Hazard: Emergency Managers Experiences in Compound Disaster Management

Abstract

The health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) have been widely documented; however, less is known about the impacts of the COVID-19 response on emergency managers who were part of the COVID-19 response while continuing with their everyday disaster job, too. Interviews were conducted in late 2021 with state emergency management planners from 21 states to discuss their experience handling COVID-19 and other disasters concurrently. The 158 disasters declared during the COVID-19 pandemic give us a unique view of compound hazard events that include a long-duration hazard with a large geographic footprint. Experiences from emergency managers serving during COVID-19 were able to shine a light on activities and policies that helped and hindered their efforts to serve their communities most effectively. Common issues encountered were related to coordination, lack of training in roles, a need for more resources in rural areas, more planning for long duration events, and mental health resources.