What term describes independent and often inefficient decision-making by different organizations during an incident?

The term that best describes independent and often inefficient decision-making by different organizations during an incident is fragmentation. In the context of emergency management, fragmentation refers to the lack of coordination among various agencies or organizations, resulting in each entity operating independently. This can lead to inefficiencies, confusion, and duplication of efforts during an emergency response, ultimately hindering the effectiveness of the operation.

Freelancing, while it refers to instances where individuals or organizations make independent, uncoordinated decisions, does not fully capture the systemic issue of disjointed actions taken by multiple organizations. Rather, fragmentation encompasses a broader range of scenarios where multiple entities fail to integrate their efforts, often leading to a chaotic response to situations requiring collaboration and unified command. Understanding fragmentation is essential for improving coordination and enhancing the overall efficiency of response efforts in any emergency scenario.