Decisions During Disaster: School Principals' Experiences as Emergency Shelter Managers

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Ten
  In Roundtable Session: Leading Through Crisis (Table 3)

Abstract

This qualitative paper explores how school principals lead their communities in the absence of formal training and external support for crisis management using the example of North Carolina school principals who managed shelters during two catastrophic hurricanes. This paper offers insights into how school principals decision-making in the absence of supports. Principals’ decision-making was best characterized using the garbage can model, into which they dumped problems and solutions as they arose. Challenges principals addressed included providing food, maintaining facilities, and safely sheltering pets and registered sex offenders. The describes the principals’ frustrations and concerns about their roles as shelter managers. The paper underscores how professional training and emergency management agencies need to better equip school principals to lead during crises.

Authors

• Megan K. Rauch Griffard, University of Nevada - Las Vegas
  Presenting Author

• Cassandra R. Davis, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
  Presenting Author