Development of Area Disaster Managers to Strengthen Integrated Operational Mechanisms at the Local Level: A Case Study of Lampang Province

Abstract

This study investigates the development of Area Disaster Managers (ADM) as a means to enhance integrated disaster management at the local level, specifically in flood-prone areas of Lampang Province, Thailand. The objectives are to analyze the ADM conceptual framework and to explain the role of the Area Disaster Manager as a key coordinating figure connecting communities, local administrative organizations, and technical agencies. Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, the study developed and implemented an ADM training curriculum in Nakaew Subdistrict (Ko Kha District) and Maekua Subdistrict (Sop Prap District) by following the Plan–Do–Check–Act (PDCA) cycle. Fifty participants were purposively selected from individuals directly involved in local disaster management, including local leaders, local administrative organization officials, disaster management volunteers, and community stakeholders, based on their roles, experience, and ability to participate in the training and provide relevant information. The participants comprised 26 individuals from Na Kaew Subdistrict and 24 from Mae Kua Subdistrict. This process involved spatial and contextual analysis, curriculum development, hands-on training workshops, learning assessments, and follow-up on practical applications. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including means and percentages, to assess participants’ knowledge, satisfaction, and changes between pre-training and post-training assessments. The findings indicate that the ADM framework strengthens data-driven and area-based decision-making, enhances inter-organizational coordination, and promotes stakeholder participation across all phases of disaster management. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge, understanding, and skills in disaster prevention, preparedness, emergency response, and post-disaster recovery. The study concludes that the Area Disaster Managers (ADM) framework reduces operational redundancy and supports a transition from centralized disaster management toward a participatory, area-based approach that is sensitive to the local context and sustainable.