Crisis-ready Leadership

4 Risk-Based Planning

In order to develop relevant plans, programs, and preparedness initiatives that adequately address an organization’s risks, leaders need to know their risk profile. Without a risk profile, decision-making will tend to focus on the most recent incident, most likely hazards, or the most severe threats which have dominated the news. This chapter will provide specific information on how to conduct a hazard identification and risk assessment so that leaders can allocate resources and planners can make relevant assumptions and investments based on risk.

Learning Objectives

• Identify resources and methods for identifying threats and hazards.
• Perform a risk assessment applying the methodology outlined in this chapter.

4.1 Hazard Identification Risk Assessment Methodology

While there are many methods [1] for conducting a risk assessment, we are going to focus on a basic method that aligns with the Emergency Management Standard (ANSI/EMAP EMS 5-2019), a consensus standard used to accredit emergency management programs [2]. The benefits of conducting a Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) include:

• Improved risk communication by establishing a common language.
• Setting data-driven planning priorities based on risk.
• Justifying planning priorities.
• Evaluating and comparing prevention, protection, and mitigation actions.
• Anticipating challenges during an incident.
• Whole community engagement among the public sector, private sector, and the public.

While ...