Determinants of managerial competencies of crisis management team chairpersons in the context of building resilience to threats at the local level

Abstract

PURPOSE: The main aim of the research is to determine the elements that dictate the competencies of chairpersons of crisis management teams at the level of municipalities and districts in Poland.

APPROACH/METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: In order to solve the research problem, a diagnostic poll method was used, carried out by means of a survey technique, with the use of a survey questionnaire tool. In relation to the research conducted, the general population consisted of officials in charge of local government units (municipalities and districts) who also act as chairpersons of crisis management teams in the administered area. The most numerous group of persons in charge of administrative units was the group of heads of municipalities, who constituted 64.04% of the general population. The second most numerous group was a group of mayors (14.33%), then a group of city presidents (11.24%) and the least numerous group – a group of district governors (10.39%).

FINDINGS: The analysis of the research allows to state that the most probable threats which may occur on the research area include violent weather phenomena, floods and fires. Moreover, the activities for efficient and effective execution of crisis management include increasing financial means, proper identification of crisis threats, and raising citizens’ awareness through the implementation of training on potential threats and ways to behave in the event of their occurrence. The individual factors that may hinder the respondents from performing emergency management tasks were analyzed, i.e., uncertainty of crisis situation development, lack of means necessary to perform tasks under the Crisis Management Act and the obligation to make decisions that affect life, health of co-workers and citizens.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The authors have indicated and discussed, threats appearing within the research area and tasks of persons acting as chairmen of crisis management teams. These two elements significantly determine the requirements in the field of knowledge and skills in relation to the chairpersons of crisis management teams.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The results allow to characterise elements which are fundamental for functioning of crisis management within the research area and, at the same time, influencing the work of people who act as chairpersons of crisis management teams.