Rethinking Emergency Management Policy

Embracing Fundamental Change for Future Resilience

I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Nevada Emergency Preparedness Association Summit. The event brought together some of the leading minds in emergency management, and the theme was "Seismic Shift." It was an appropriate theme for our discussions, as we discussed the need for change in the way we think about emergency management as a profession.

Aside from the program content, the conversations during coffee breaks and lunch are essential to attending these events. Over a cup of coffee in the hall, Brock Long and I discussed the need to make fundamental changes in how we approach emergency management. This topic has been discussed publicly for many years but is worth discussing again.

The landscape of emergency management in the United States has undergone significant transformation since the aftermath of September 11, 2001. However, despite advancements, Brock Long emphasizes the necessity of reevaluating emergency management policy in their recent article, "State of Emergency Management: What Needs to Change for Better Preparedness and Response." With ongoing challenges and the escalating frequency and complexity of disasters, it's evident that current strategies may need to be revised to address future challenges.