Meta-synthesis is an approach to reviewing qualitative research results. Many research results dealing with improvements to emergency management can be integrated into strategies for network management in emergencies. This meta-synthesis used a keyword search and survey of experts to identify representative studies of emergency response. It then used the reciprocal translation approach to synthesizing the studies. The synthesis is captured in a two-by-two matrix, one axis distinguishing between activity- and network-level interventions and the other between planning and improvisation strategies.