Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Donald McLellan

Abstract

AbstractFor many years, a chronic issue within Suffolk County, New York, one of the most populated counties in the country, is the deterioration of its drinking water along with its polluted beaches, lakes, and rivers, which are imperative for tourism and the fishing industry. However, little is known regarding the awareness of, and the preparedness towards, any disruptions of drinking water by the community of emergency managers. Narrowing this gap of knowledge was the purpose of this study. The research question examined the knowledge of, the attitudes, and the preparedness levels of the emergency management community of Suffolk County involving any disruption to drinking water. A case study was developed with a sample of 14 interview participants from village, town, and county, state and federal governments. Semi-structured interviews were conducted that stemmed from various areas, derived from the literature review of Chapter 2. As a result of the interviews, themes emerged through descriptive coding regarding the attitudes and the preparedness levels. The analysis of Suffolk County emergency management operations identified the lack of coordinated perceptions of infrastructure; not understanding specific disaster terminology; lack of coordinated planning; and a consensus that not enough is being done to protect Suffolk County’s drinking water. The resultant findings could be used by the emergency management community as well as municipal leaders to promote more effective policies to protect drinking water leading to positive social change.

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