«Spillover crises»: Baltimore's bridge collapse

The recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has echoed the unsettling reminder provided by the Morandi Bridge disaster in Genoa, Italy: today's crises often originate from external factors, impacting organizations and communities with overwhelming force, akin to a tsunami. Such events are known as "spillover crises".

Daily, 30,000 vehicles crossed the bridge, whose failure ceased operations at the Port of Baltimore, a major U.S. hub, and disrupted a vital segment of the city's beltway, crucial for the bustling corridor linking Washington to New York. This incident's ripple effects on supply chains, economic sectors, and citizens' lives are anticipated to linger for months, highlighting the significance of President Biden's commitment to swift reconstruction efforts for the bridge and port.

Six unaccounted-for workers from the Brawner company, who were carrying out maintenance work on the bridge, underscores the severity of the incident. However, the quick action of the MV Dali's crew, issuing a 'mayday' call after losing power and before colliding with a bridge pylon, undoubtedly saved numerous lives by enabling authorities to immediately shut access to the bridge.

This event underscores the critical need for immediate, effective response systems and organizations in emergencies. Yet, as "spillover crises" become increasingly common, it also stresses the imperative for comprehensive crisis preparedness, including planning for the previously inconceivable.

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