Tiems Contribution to Emergency and Crisis Management

The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS) was founded in Washington D.C., USA in 1993, and is currently registered in Belgium as an international, independent, not for profit non-governmental organization (NGO). TIEMS is truly international, with chapters established in BeNeLux, China, Finland, India, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Korea, Middle East and North Africa, Nigeria & West Africa, the Philippines, Romania, United States of America, and Ukraine.[1] Members of TIEMS users, planners, researchers, industry representatives, managers, first responders, practitioners, social scientists, and other interested parties.

TIEMS defines its mission as preparing the world for emergencies by providing a global forum for education, training, certification, and policy for emergency and disaster management.[2]

TIEMS contributes to the knowledge on and the practice of emergency and crisis management in a number of ways.

First, with its network, newsletter, annual international conference, regional and thematic conferences, workshops and exhibitions it provides a forum of regular communication and stimulates the exchange of information and best practice on the use of innovative methods and technologies within emergency and disaster management to improve society’s ability to avoid, mitigate, respond to, and recover from natural and technological disasters. For the organisation of its conferences, TIEMS has established an “International Program Committee” and a “Paper Review Committee” comprised of experienced professionals of eight different countries.

Second, through its chapters which provides a local focus for TIEMS activities and account of local environmental, societal, and technological contexts.

Third, TIEMS conducts its own and participates in international research and technology development projects to promote the knowledge on, deliver and evaluate innovative crisis management solutions. For solving particular issues, it establishes Task Force Groups. Each Task Force Group comprises qualified TIEMS experts in different fields. When necessary, these task groups cooperate with UNOCHA and/or with local emergency management government agencies and may directly join an operation during an emergency issues and/or participate in disaster preparedness work.[3]

Fourth, though the TIEMS academy the organisation provides international education, training and certification [4] programs and support to selected students.

All these activities contribute to the vision of TIEMS, i.e. to developing and bring the benefits of modern emergency management tools, techniques and good industry practices to society for a safer world.[5]

&S Monitor