Response network for the public safety of coastal communities in the emergency caused by atmospheric events in Puerto Rico

Abstract

The safety of coastal communities in Puerto Rico is threatened by atmospheric events due to the risk of flooding, evictions, robberies, and burglary. We analyze the interaction that arises between governmental and non-governmental components to ensure public safety in coastal communities following an atmospheric event: the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, the Bureau of Emergency and Disaster Management and its Municipal Emergency Management Offices, and coastal community organizations. The ability of these components to form a response network is examined according to the theory of organizational resilience. Likewise, a qualitative methodology is used to examine the structure, organization, and interaction of the components through semi-structured interviews with employees of government agencies and members of coastal community organizations that make up the response network. In addition, they highlight the limitations and suggestions that the components identify for the strengthening of the response network itself. Thus, they examine the capacity of the study components to form a response network as a strategy to guarantee public safety and promote the resilience of coastal communities in the emergency caused by an atmospheric event.

Keywords

• seguridad pública
• eventos atmosféricos
• comunidades costeras
• puerto rico