Building collaboration and trust in emergency preparedness: a model for planning collaboration exercises

Abstract Collaborative preparedness exercises are essential in emergency management. In this conceptual paper, we examine the planning processes of emergency preparedness collaborative exercises, aiming to develop a model that enhances learning, collaboration, communication, and trust among participants. We propose a model that guides the planning of collaborative preparedness exercises, focusing on creating and maximizing knowledge among participants. The model emphasizes the importance of defining clear learning objectives, selecting engaging scenarios, and incorporating flexible exercise designs to improve effectiveness. By systematically integrating communication and trust-building strategies across planning, execution, debriefing, and evaluation phases, the model seeks to foster a collaborative environment conducive to shared learning and decision-making. This conceptual study contributes to the literature by offering a structured approach to exercise planning that could enhance the competencies of emergency preparedness organizations and improve collaborative efforts in crisis management. Future research could apply this model in practice and empirically evaluate its impact on emergency preparedness exercises across various sectors.