Flexible Surge Capacity in Disasters and Major Incidents

Abstract

In the face of the escalating frequency of disasters and major incidents, the imperative for surge capacity expansion becomes apparent for effective emergency response. However, existing preparedness measures often hinge on available resources and prove insufficient when confronted with disaster dynamics. The thesis aims to assess the feasibility and applicability of the "flexible surge capacity” (FSC) concept, focusing on leveraging community resources and collaboration among various entities across different disaster etiologies. The research method employed a descriptive construction of the FSC concept to establish its framework for generalization and evaluation. Subsequently, a pragmatic approach integrating both qualitative and quanti-tative research methods using online surveys, direct observation, and semi-structured interviews was adopted to explore the implications of the con-cept. The findings reveal the promising feasibility and applicability of the FSC concept in urbanized communities. Facilities of interest expressed willingness to participate, and the concept implementation demonstrated effectiveness in alleviating overcrowded hospitals during the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic and facilitating hospital evacuation through the Three-level Collaboration exercise. Additionally, educational initiatives led to significant improvements in staff engagement and system sustainability. In conclusion, FSC, aligning with the proactivity philosophy of the World Health Organization, proves instrumental in optimizing the use of community resources and fostering effective collaboration in disaster management.