Here's how you can establish robust ties with other agencies and organizations as an emergency manager.

Involvement and building relationships before the emergency is key. Participate in LEPCs, Integrated Communication Warning Teams with the National Weather Service, and seek other opportunities to get involved with various committees. The old saying that you should never meet someone for the first time over a car hood at an incident command post applies. Bring something to the table when you come to these meetings...share your experience and what value you can provide. Talk about your organization and what you do. Show genuine interest in others and what they do. Stay in touch with contacts! Share an email with an interesting article, even if unrelated to your mission area. Above all else, bring value to others.

One thing I have found helpful for trust building among the delegates is that where there's willingness and commitment to the task there are often mistakes and mistakes are not avoidable but they can be greatly and effectively minimized by introducing psychological safety, referred to as: Safe to ask for help Safe for admission of mistakes Safe to raise issues or challenge each other constructively without fear of any consequences Safety for their reputation or jobs not to be on line for the inputs and participation Safe to be protected even if the task challenges do not yield hundred percent expected outcomes

Sharing resources and information about the emergency management system in the area of disaster relief is essential for the community safety. Identity and make a list of resources that can be equipment or knowledge available to your potential partners and ensure that they are able to provide the assistance needed to support in emergency. Preparing MOU’s agreement to set clear expectations of sharing resources for all parties involved.

Free and open sharing of resources - particularly information - is especially important in building trust and building robust ties with other organizations. Make it a policy to share as much as possible because emergency management thrives and succeeds when we are collaborative and open. In the same vein, understand that some resources won't be available to share for a variety of reasons, including operational security. That being said, the default should be to share as much as possible as often as possible in as many ways as possible.

Agree that MOU can be important tools. Some organisations have cultures that require practise set out in detail whilst others have the autonomy to work more responsively and dynamically.

Joint training is the best way to improve communication and coordination between the teams. Training, meetings and joint exercises provide opportunities to familiarise each other and to understand protocols of their work. Training together helps you to recognise overlap and gaps in plans of action and further improving performance and response efficiently.

I agree. Practice Makes Perfect! Joint training is invaluable to accomplish missions with hiccups. Effective communication is the key between all parties!

Communication is vital, although during events of catastrophic proportions, communications may be non-existent. Knowing whom is working in what department or other (stations) can determine your decisions as to what determination you choose to move forward with. What type of reliable experience do you have working with you (man power) can you de versify their abilities? Communication, has many meanings, not only cellular, VHF but mouth to ear is crucial. Know what your men/women capabilities are prior to any event. Know your people, know what each other would do in any particular circumstance. Knowing is still a type of communication only without words or signals. Simply put, let no man’s ghost say “ I died from the lack of training “!!!

Policy Alignment is ideal in entities operating in concert and Striving towards a common goal. This helps to mprove consistency in the Organizations with the common values, same vision, mission and strategic goals Create an effective process for prioritizing as priorities changes rapidly. Also foster the ongoing transparency Nurture continuous improvement and quality assurance