Local government and emergency planning: insights from Professor Lucy Easthope

This article is part of LGIU’s new Future Local Lab – a holistic programme of resources aimed at helping you to prepare for and respond to the emerging challenges facing local government everywhere.

LGIU’s member-only Ask the Expert session on 9 April explored local government and emergency planning with renowned expert Professor Lucy Easthope.

In an era marked by global interconnectedness and rapid change, local governments face unprecedented challenges. From climate change impacts to socioeconomic shifts, the need for resilience and adaptability from both councils and communities has never been greater.

One central theme that came to the fore during the session was the importance of understanding the interplay between global events and local realities. What happens on the world stage inevitably impacts local communities, and councils must be prepared to translate these macro trends into actionable strategies. Planners must, as Profressor Easthope said “…find ways to turn it very quickly into what it means for your residents…” A key challenge identified was the tendency for local government to be overwhelmed by immediate concerns, often at the expense of strategic, long-term planning.

Emergency planning, therefore, is not just about responding to immediate crises but anticipating future challenges and building long-term resilience. But it’s not planning for scenarios that should interest local government. “I think there’s a myth in emergency management that we need to know the scenario,” Professor Easthope told LGIU members. “Somebody like me is much more interested in the consequences…we’re not interested in necessarily what’s causing it. We’re about consequence management […for example…]  loss of access to places, issues for our people, issues for food, issues for safety.”

Long-term resilience can no longer be – if it ever was – just about local government’s preparedness and response to crisis. Local government faces the critical task of ensuring community preparedness. However, a significant obstacle stands in the way, what Professor Easthope calls “hopeium,” the tendency to assume everything will be alright. She urges a shift from passive optimism to a realistic, resilience-focused approach.

This doesn’t mean succumbing to pessimism but rather acknowledging potential challenges and equipping communities to handle them. As Easthope states, “imagine if help isn’t coming.” This stark reminder prompts a crucial question: what resources and plans do people and communities have in place if external support is delayed or limited?

Professor Easthope gave LGIU members a fascinating insight into the shifting dynamics at play in global emergency planning and we’ve distilled five key takeaways for local government.

1. Be alive to global-local intersections: recognise that global events have local consequences. Develop strategies that address both macro trends and micro realities. This involves staying informed about international developments and translating them into local policies.
2. Cultivate strategic foresight: move beyond reactive planning. Encourage “wild card” thinking and consider worst-case scenarios. This involves creating space for diverse perspectives and engaging in long-term strategic planning.
3. Prioritise community engagement: understand the unique needs and vulnerabilities of different communities. Build trust and open communication with residents. Empower communities to become more self-reliant and resilient.
4. Focus on consequence management: emergency planning should focus on managing consequences rather than specific scenarios. This involves identifying potential impacts on people, infrastructure, and resources and developing strategies to mitigate them.
5. Chase trust, not approval: build trust with the community and avoid seeking approval all the time. This means being transparent, authentic, and willing to engage with criticism.

Want more insights from Lucy Easthope?

• Visit her website
• ‘Come What May: Life-changing Lessons for Coping with Crisis, ’ is out on the 15th of May, and you can pre-order it right now on Amazon.

Looking for more?

Explore LGIU’s new Future Local Lab – a holistic programme of resources aimed at helping you to prepare for and respond to the emerging challenges facing local government everywhere.