Incident Operational Complexity

Incident Operational Complexity

Welcome to an online lecture driven by theory mixed with real-world experience, exploring complexity during incident response operations. Now widespread, the term "incident" is used across communities. In fact, using a more subdued version of the word "crisis," French philosopher and sociologist Edgar Morin writes that using the term "merely allows someone to say that something is wrong." Viewed as a working definition of incidents, it is broadly applicable across fields. Morin's definition is part of the understanding of "incident" that is essential to this lecture.

All are welcome. Those who experience incidents or who have an interest in the subject of how emergent and often protected disruptions are managed through engaging with complexity may enjoy this talk most. In this lecture, complexity and incidents, complexity and complex thought are discussed before moving into insights for being part of and managing complex response operations.

This lecture will be delivered from the lecturer, Gregory Vigneaux's, perspective, working on federal wildfire incidents from coast to coast, including Alaska, and from the viewpoint of the incredible work of Morin. Morin has been studying and writing on complexity since 1974 or earlier. In Paris in 1977, Morin published a significantly ahead-of-his-time sweeping and detailed volume on complexity. Following Morin's work has implications for understanding the complexity of incident operations that are found throughout the presentation.

Join me for an insightful lecture from the perspective of the literature and my experiences in wildfire incident response operations. Whether you are a seasoned professional who is practiced in complexity and incidents or are interested, this lecture will provide the materials for a deepened understanding. Register now to secure your spot!