Integrating Systems Thinking and Decision-Making in Emergency Management
The crossroads of making a decision
During a crisis, decisions carry profound consequences for communities, and the fusion of systems thinking and understanding decision types becomes essential. Jeff Bezos' distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 decisions offers a framework for evaluating the urgency and irreversibility of choices. At the same time, systems thinking provides a holistic lens through which to view the interconnectedness of variables within complex crises.
Type 1 decisions, often likened to one-way doors by Jeff Bezos, carry the weight of irrevocability and demand unwavering attention to detail and foresight. Consider the situation faced by emergency managers in Paradise, California, during the devastating Camp Fire of 2018. As the wildfire rapidly approached the town, emergency officials were confronted with the daunting prospect of issuing evacuation orders and potentially not defending the community against the advancing flames.
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