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Public Private Partnerships

A team approach to emergency management

We invite private sector organizations from across the nation to provide models that highlight collaborative efforts with government entities to increase disaster resilience. There is a compelling argument and ample evidence that every community would benefit from public-private collaboration in emergency management. We are better able to serve our neighbors, fellow citizens, and our nation's disaster survivors in particular, when public sector and private sector representatives are both active members of the same team. Administrator Craig Fugate, who tirelessly advocates for a teamwork approach, told a gathering of U.S. private sector leaders last year, "There's no way government can solve the challenges of a disaster with a government-centric approach. It takes the whole team. And the private sector provides the bulk of the services every day in the community."

FEMA operates in all ten regions when disaster strikes. Each region has a unique model that encompasses foundational core attributes, being publically accessible; dedicated; resourced; engaged; and sustainable. Most regional models are engaged in sharing situational awareness, either through a dedicated liaison, established communication protocols, individual business representation within an emergency operation center, or in rare cases, fully staffed business emergency operations centers.  Some models are built on legal agreements, Memoranda of Agreement or Understanding (MOA or MOU) between public agencies and private sector organizations.  Some programs practice joint participation in training and exercises, and others invest time in identifying community resources that are available for response.  The following are successful models of partnerships and examples of effective collaboration, coordination and communication between public and private emergency management entities within the regions.

 

Disclaimer: FEMA’s Private Sector Division of the Office of External Affairs facilitates information sharing and good practices for developing effective public-private partnerships. This Web site and its contents are provided for informational purposes only, without warranty or guarantee of any kind, and do not represent the official positions of the US Department of Homeland Security. For more information on the Private Sector Division, please email FEMA-private-sector@dhs.gov or visit www.FEMA.gov/privatesector.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 14-Sep-2010 10:23:35 EDT