Finding Strength in Uncertainty in Emergency Management

Changes in federal emergency response require us all to maintain situational awareness

On some level, there’s an emotional attachment to predictability and routines—we wake up, pour a cup of coffee, clank the pot back onto the warmer, take a sip, and begin our day. We unconsciously appreciate the comfort of a routine.

Yet, the slightest disruption can make us feel like we’re thrown into chaos and disarray. On those infrequent occasions where the coffee filter collapses and spews grounds into the pot, we might stray from that state of Zen, but our mindset eventually balances back to our baseline. And, for those large events that rock us, in time, we learn we’ll be okay.

Generally, we don’t like disruptions. We don’t like change, but we also know as emergency managers that we must prepare for it. Emergencies, by nature, force us to prepare to break out of our comfort zones. That is truer today than ever before.

Federal preparedness

On May 20, the FEMA Review Council met for the first time. The council was established under an executive order to assess the existing ability of the agency “to capably…address disasters occurring within” the U.S. and recommend changes to the President. This coupled with other announcements have put many health care professionals, emergency management officials, and leadership into an unsettled posture. And rightfully so. Many organizations, institutions, committees, and communities rely on assistance and support from the federal level. The future path is unknown. So, what does that mean for your preparedness?

At the FEMA hearing, co-chair Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, stated that the agency “should be eliminated as it exists,” reimagined, and renamed. FEMA, which has existed since the Carter Administration, has been a mainstay throughout the careers of many emergency management professionals, so the remarks made plenty of headlines. One thing most can agree upon is that there will be change.

What’s next?

It's important for us to maintain awareness of this changing landscape.

While the space within the emergency management world is likely to look different, there was also some clarity. Secretary Noem stated there will be a new agency, and the council needs to “make sure the states have the authority to better take care of their people.” The vision is to have a more localized management of incidents where “states manage their emergencies,” and the new federal agency supports those efforts. It appears things aren’t going away, but they are morphing.

The council will have 180 days to deliver recommendations to the executive office, but change could potentially come sooner. Virgina Governor Glenn Youngkin, a council member, noted that June starts the hurricane season, and the council will “be massively transforming a response system while that response system has to be effectively responding.” That statement leads some to believe that changes are coming sooner than the fall.

Here’s what you should do as we await additional information:

• Monitor credible information from reliable sources like press releases, statements from committee hearings, and official notifications. Social media and traditional media outlets tend to sensationalize things for clicks—don’t fall for those traps.
• Identify potential shifts in procedures and clues of what’s to come. A mid-March executive order provides a new strategy that shifts “national critical infrastructure policy from an ‘all-hazards’ approach to a risk-informed approach…” Plans, procedures, and policies may need to be altered—think differently.
• Build readiness plans and activities with the thought that local response is going to dictate plans; federal leaders have stated they wish to reduce the “complexity of federal preparedness and response policies.” 
• Prepare and plan for your top risks. Identify the ways your team can respond with the staff and resources within your facility alone. This approach strengthens your resiliency. Any external support is a welcome bonus.

Navigating change

It’s important to focus on what you can control. If you aren’t already, start meeting with community and regional stakeholders, and maintain an open line of communication—discuss actions that are happening, potential disruptions, potential successes, and all things important to preparedness.  

Mutual assistance is more than what happens between states and the federal government. Break down challenges and issues into smaller more manageable items like reviewing and updating mutual aid agreements. What would be available during an event, and what wouldn’t? Share this information with stakeholders.

Even as the structure shifts at the federal level, we are seeing new technology and artificial intelligence support prevention and response. We are still learning how these tools can help us during emergencies.

The landscape of emergency management is changing. That’s out of our control.

But, emergency management officials, health care professionals, bedside providers, leadership, and all ancillary staff are accustomed to overcoming challenging situations—and they do it very well. It wasn’t too long ago, during a very fluid and evolving global pandemic, that we all managed copious amounts of change. We didn’t like it. It wasn’t fun. And while we might be a little battered, we’re here, and we’re ready to respond to the next emergency that comes our way.

 

Author: Matthew Linse, HAP manager, emergency management

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