Lucy Easthope, one of Britain’s most experienced disaster advisers, discusses her role in analyzing and preparing for major emergencies. Despite her unconventional appearance and physical limitations, Easthope is dedicated to reducing the pain and agony caused by disasters. However, she acknowledges that achieving a perfect response is nearly impossible. Easthope’s greatest fear is the loss of knowledge and learning from past disasters. Concerned about the lack of funding and training for disaster response in the United Kingdom, she organized a meeting to discuss the country’s emergency planning. Easthope emphasized the need to address scenarios beyond terrorism and to consider the possibility of authorities being complicit in causing disasters.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lack of funding and training for disaster response | From insufficient disaster preparedness to improved readiness | Increased funding and training for disaster response | Recognition of the importance of disaster preparedness and response |
| Focus on terrorism as the main threat | From terrorism-centric emergency planning to more holistic planning | Emergency plans that address a wider range of potential disasters | Acknowledgment of the role of non-terrorism related disasters |
| Assumption of authorities always being obeyed and listened to | From unquestioned authority to questioning authority | Increased skepticism and scrutiny of authorities | Growing awareness of potential complicity of authorities in causing disasters |
| Training for past disasters instead of future ones | From training for previous disasters to training for future ones | Scenario-based training for potential future disasters | Emphasis on being proactive and forward-thinking in disaster preparedness |
| Lack of communication and understanding in emergency planning meetings | From tense and unproductive meetings to open and reflective conversations | More productive and collaborative emergency planning discussions | Recognition of the importance of open dialogue and diverse perspectives in emergency planning |
| Focus on conventional responses to disasters | From rigid and conventional responses to flexible and adaptive responses | More adaptable and innovative approaches to disaster response | Recognition of the need for flexibility in responding to different types of disasters |
| Small calamities as warning signs for larger disasters | From neglecting small calamities to recognizing their significance | Increased attention to small-scale disasters as potential indicators of larger events | Recognition of the importance of early detection and prevention of disasters |