Emergency management: an editorial perspective

The article provides an editorial perspective and quick summary, context and background for the papers published in volume five, issue two of the International Journal of Emergency Services The themes and topics covered in the eight papers range from leadership and leadership development; organisational culture; stress and sickness; state of emergency preparedness for pet owners; use of social media, aircraft rescue & firefighting policy and retirement issues for emergency workers. All the articles provide a rich context ranging from the ambulance, police and fire & rescue services including challenges faced by pet owners in Canada and emergency personnel and cover three continents. The articles bring empirical evidence and conceptual understandings to the issues discussed and have significant implications for policy and practice.