Request and Coordinate Resources

Request and Coordinate Resources – Now that we are on target with a good leader’s intent (PPP81), we’ve grouped our issues into SMART objectives (PPP82) and we’re created the outline of a functional organization (PPP83), we’re ready to request the resources we need to meet the intent, achieve the objectives and fill in the functional org chart.

So what is a resource? According to my vast research skills (Googling that is), Merriam-Webster states a resource is, “a source of supply or support : an available means —usually used in plural“. Does this align with what you thought? To break this down to basics, to me resources are, “the people, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, food, infrastructure and medical support we need to accomplish the mission“. In short, the people, stuff and spaces.

So how do we request resources? Well, that varies by company, incident management team (IMT), locality, department, etc. It falls on us as leaders and process facilitators to know our procedures.

Resource Ordering Guidelines:

• Resource Kind: The ‘kind’ of resource states what the resource is, e.g. Nurse
• Resource Type: The ‘type’ guides us on what the resource’s capability is, e.g. Critical Care Nurse, ER Nurse, Infectious Disease Nurse, etc.
• Ordering using the CSALTT acronym:
  • Capability: What is it you need the resource to do?
  • Size: What is the footprint of the resource (equipment size, workspace needs, probably not person size 🙂
  • Amount: How many of these resources do you need?
  • Location: Where do you need these resources delivered or to report to?
  • Time: When do you need these resources and for how long?
  • Type: Do you know the resource typing? (Applies largely to Emergency Management)

Some other takeaways from resource ordering and coordination include:

1. People are a resource. They are our most important resource.
2. We should have an idea of the kind of resources we need pretty early and have a sense of what’s available.
3. Let the objectives drive the org structure that guides the resource kind and types requested and coordinated.
4. In the heat of exhaustion, stress and frustration, always remember #1.

Thank you all so much for listening to the show. We’re now in 96 countries across the world and 51 U.S. States and Territories. We also hit another milestone this week with surpassing 26,000 downloads and are on pace to reach 27,000 in the near future!

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