As emergency managers, we are positioned to inclusively engage communities to deliver powerful, long-lasting and impactful emergency preparedness, response and recovery for all. This becomes even more important as we tackle the complexities of a changing disaster landscape and an increase in the frequency and intensity of disaster events.
As we all grapple with this new reality, we can learn more about and engage more with the communities we serve.
Consistent and regular community engagement is critical. Through this work, we build the relationships we need to ready the nation to prepared, respond and recovery more effectively. Engaging trusted messengers expands our reach and increase our capacity to meet people where they are. These relationships allow us to connect with people in a manner that promotes action and save time when we need it most.
When we show up to listen and learn, we invite in perspectives that allow us to better understand the true impact of our programs and the potential gaps in messaging that prevent communities from taking action. The benefits of community engagement extend beyond us. Communities are more prepared, and this enables them to become more resilient—a goal we all share as emergency managers.
FEMA developed this Community Engagement Toolkit for Emergency Managers to support the work that is already underway and provide a resource for emergency managers as they prioritize and implement strategies to address the needs of their entire communities. The toolkit focuses on strengthening partnerships with local organizations and learning directly from communities to better support recovery and resilience.
