Students

PICX213 – National Resilience: Crisis Response and Emergency Management

2017 – S1 OUA

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Vincent Hurley
Dept of Security Studies & Criminology. Room 225 Building Y3A.
Tutor
Cesar Alvarez
Contact via via email
Dept of Security Studies & Criminology. Room 225 Building Y3A.
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit explores the concept of national resilience. It identifies the role of government in preparing for, managing and recovering from a broad range of crises. The unit begins with an overview of risk reduction strategies and introduces the concept of contingency planning. It then examines the various kinds of crisis response capabilities that government develop, including inter-agency and state-federal coordination procedures, interoperability of equipment and ADF domestic counter-terrorism capabilities. The unit then discusses emergency coordination and management in a variety of contexts, including natural disasters, a large-scale mass transit accident, a nuclear, chemical or biological incident, a viral epidemic, a terrorist attack and critical infrastructure failure. Finally, the unit examines planning for national resilience capacity, the ability to recover from unexpected and debilitating crises. These potent threats to national security are outside the threat-centric concept of homeland security and require a more risk-based approach to planning and preparation. This unit complements PICX210 and PICX211. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Critical Infrastructure 20% No Sunday 19th March 2017
Identifying vulnerabilities 40% No Monday 17th April 2017
Evaluation of your assignments 20% No Sunday 14th May 2017
Discussion Points 20% No See ilearn. Various dates

Critical Infrastructure

Due: Sunday 19th March 2017
Weighting: 20%

This assessment task ask you to research what a risk assessment is and how it might be applied to a piece of critical infrastructure. See ilearn for more specific information on how to approach this task


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Identifying vulnerabilities

Due: Monday 17th April 2017
Weighting: 40%

This assessment task gives you a choice to focus on a hypothetical flood or bushfire, The assignment ask you explore the issues of local infrastructure and economic loss to the community arising from either crisis. See ilearn for more specific information on how to complete this task.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Evaluation of your assignments

Due: Sunday 14th May 2017
Weighting: 20%

This is task asks you to reflect upon your previous two assessment feedback and evaluate what you have learnt. What did you do well in and what did you learn that you did not previously know. Again, ilearn will have specific information in it on how to go about this task. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations

Discussion Points

Due: See ilearn. Various dates
Weighting: 20%

There are 4 discussion points to be covered through out the session. These will be specific questions or issues that you will address. Again, ilearn will have what the specific issues are, due dates etc.  


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Delivery and Resources

REQUIRED READINGS

All required reading are attached as pdf files in the relevant week.  There is no prescribed text for this unit.

 

SUBMISSION OF ASSIGNMENTS

All assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically.  This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. 

Assessment tasks must be submitted in an MS word document by the due date.  

Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'Turnitin' review as an automatic part of the submission process. Further details regarding turnitin are on the ilearn for this unit. 

The granting of extensions of up to one week are at the discretion of the unit convenors. Any requests for extensions must be made in writing before the due date for the submission of the assessment task.  

Extensions beyond one week are subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy. 

 

LATE SUBMISSIONS

The penalty for late submissions (that have not been granted an extension) will be strictly enforced.

If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late. For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20).  The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date. 

 

WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS

Stated word limits do not include references, bibliography, or title page.Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure.For example, an essay task of 2000 words should be between 1800-2200 words.

When checking the word count of your paper, make sure MS Word is not including footnotes in your word count. 

Penalties will apply to your final mark for an assessment task if it is outside the word limit +/-10%.

 

TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED

Personal PC and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement. 

This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/

Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient.

For technical support go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/informatics/help

For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm

 

REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER

Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately (http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html).

This process involves all assignments submitted for that unit being reassessed. However, in exceptional cases students may request that a single piece of work is reassessed.

 

 

Unit Schedule

Week

                                                        Topic

   1

     Introduction

   2

     State & National Coordination for Emergency Management Response

   3

     What is critical infrastructure, risk assessment, crisis co-ordination & planning assessment? 

   4

    Bush fires & the emergency management response

   5

    Crisis response to the 2011 Japan, Fukushima Nuclear Accident

   6

    Terrorism & Major Sporting Events. Emergency management response to the 1972 Munich Olympics. 

   7

    Crisis response to the 2012 Christchurch Earthquake, New Zealand.

   8

    The impact of climate change on the future of emergency management response.

   9

     Who is in charge of crisis response? Role and responsibilities of combat agencies.  

   10

     2009 Melbourne heatwave & critical Infrastructure implications.

   11

     Epidemics & pandemics. Response to Ebola outbreak in 2013.

   12

     Conclusion

Policies and Procedures

Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Extension Request

Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

  1. were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
  2. were beyond your control
  3. caused substantial disruption to your academic work
  4. substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
  5. lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:

  1. Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
  2. Fill in your relevant details
  3. Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
  4. Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process

Outcome

Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.

OUA Specific Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal from a unit after the census date

You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.

If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.

If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html​

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Identifying vulnerabilities
  • Evaluation of your assignments
  • Discussion Points

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Assessment tasks

  • Identifying vulnerabilities
  • Discussion Points

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Identifying vulnerabilities

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Identifying vulnerabilities
  • Evaluation of your assignments
  • Discussion Points

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Identifying vulnerabilities
  • Discussion Points

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Identifying vulnerabilities
  • Evaluation of your assignments

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Critically evaluate coordination mechanisms between levels of government, across public and private organisations and among private sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Identifying vulnerabilities
  • Evaluation of your assignments
  • Discussion Points

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Assessment tasks

  • Evaluation of your assignments
  • Discussion Points

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the concept of resilience as it applies to national security, preparedness planning, crisis response and emergency management
  • Identify key threats to and vulnerabilities of critical national infrastructure
  • Apply risk analysis models to a range of crisis response options available to government or business organisations
  • Prioritise resilience planning tasks in accordance with business continuity principles appropriate to private and public sector organisations
  • Employ emergency management principles to assess the applicability of coordination methods for different crisis scenarios.

Assessment tasks

  • Critical Infrastructure
  • Identifying vulnerabilities
  • Evaluation of your assignments
  • Discussion Points