Cavallo, A.Ireland, V.2012-11-152012-11-152012IEEE 7th International Conference on System of Systems Engineering, July 16-19 2012; pp.161-1669781467329743http://hdl.handle.net/2440/74291According to both the US Geological Survey and the World Bank, $280 billion dollars could have been saved if $40 billion dollars had been invested in disaster prevention. Natural and human-made disasters that have occurred over the last few years show that there is a gap in disaster prevention caused by the interconnected nature of risks, which cannot be foreseen with current risk management methods. In this paper we point out how disaster management could benefit from a SoS approach in emergency response and preparedness strategies. Using recent disasters as case studies, we identify some keys to success in managing a SoS in preparation, during and in the aftermath of a disaster. In particular, we discuss the idea of the interconnectedness of risks in independent and interdependent systems and the application of Boardman and Sauser’s concept of “creative disobedience”, which are fundamental for goal achievement of systems belonging to a SoS.en© Copyright 2012 IEEE - All rights reserved.SoS dynamics, disaster management, uncertainty, decision-makingConference paper00201254612012101612465110.1109/SYSoSE.2012.638416397 Expanding Knowledge9701 Expanding Knowledge970109 Expanding Knowledge in Engineering17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences1702 Cognitive Sciences170202 Decision Making2-s2.0-8487975326021285