What's next for the disaster profession? A study of the opinions of local and state emergency managers and their recommendations for a more resilient future.

Abstract

The objective of this article is to understand how emergency managers view the status of their emergency management programs and identify suggestions on how to improve this important profession in the future. This article first explores the hazards, vulnerabilities, and associated disasters confronting select jurisdictions in Federal Emergency Management Agency Region VIII. It then explains recent experiences of responding to the coronavirus disease 2019, the 2020 protests/riots, the Magna earthquake, and the Marshall Fire. The article also mentions the relative priority given to preparedness and mitigation and recovery activities, and it discusses common challenges and weaknesses emergency managers face. The article then concludes with a discussion of current activities as well as concerns and recommendations for the future.