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At its foundation, the collective modern human system includes four principle spheres: public (government), civil (population), not for profit (community) and private (corporations). Each are inter-dependent to some degree and all are necessary to sustain the human ecosystem. When considering any policy endeavour, good administration requires the inclusion of all spheres. The inter-connectedness means that whatever legislative, regulatory or administrative modification is considered will have an impact, to different degrees, across the spheres. An inclusive society requires the involvement of everyone, not just the ones you like or support.

Whole of society (WOS) is an important concept within EM, grounded in the notion of limitations on the capability and capacity of the public sector. We know that resources are limited in EM, that trends across the OECD are downward for public sector expenditures and that any future "investment" in EM will likely be token, singular and temporary. The WOS idea was drafted by many theorists from the 1980s onward, realizing that the resources necessary for a successful EM program resided not only within the public sector, but across society, in all spheres. The concept was initially delivered through the NFP and civil spheres as coordination with organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, faith sector and residential groups. This provided a foundation for WOS, that led the delivery through to the early 2000s, where the expansive impacts of disasters exceeded the combined efforts of the civil, public and NFP spheres.

This is an ideological discussion, a decision to be inclusive of all members of society. The gap in resources of all types present in the EM system can be mitigated or completely addressed by embracing the involvement of the corporate sector. I've often said the most important relationship of a local emergency manager is the one with the head of the chamber of commerce. The entire needs assessment of EM could be met, but is there the will to break through the obstacle?

Time will tell. 

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