Use of Standard Operating Procedures for Supporting Cross‑Organizational Emergency Management: Challenges and Opportunities Identifed from a Tabletop Exercise

Abstract

This study investigated the crucial role of formulating and applying standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the context of emergency planning and response. The efective application of SOPs during operations is essential in order to address challenges that surpass individual organizational capacities. A specifc focus on fostering efcient information sharing and executing specifed actions maximizes the prospect of success. To explore the collective functionality of SOPs across organizations, we conducted a comprehensive tabletop exercise involving 10 organizations spanning tactical, operational, and strategic levels. Our analysis identifed six key challenges, primarily related to the structures for information sharing, communication pathways, and the complex integration and application of common SOPs within these diverse organizational contexts. This research contributes insights into the use of SOPs in large-scale, cross-organizational scenarios.