The Outdated – Almost Irrelevant - National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) - Time for Change

As a former liaison between the US Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), I learned a thing or two.

Lately, I can confidently say that, regrettably, NEMA, has become this: a "Mr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide" type of national emergency management organization. The current leadership has left much to the desired. that leaves much to be desired.

It has functions on two levels - "the seen" - public - and "unseen" - private - neither advancing the cause of emergency management.

Public

This what leadership tells its members:?NEMA Annual Forum 2021. This, from its now past, and I must admit, disappointing, president:

"... The pandemic has taken a toll and continues to deeply impact our professional and personal lives, but it isn't the only issue to discuss. Wildfires, drought, flooding, hurricanes and other impacts of climate change are increasing the frequency and severity of disasters. We are also challenged by systemic inequity throughout our disaster programs.?These are serious and impactful issues, and we must lead in how they are addressed. ..."

Still, if you glance at the Forum's agenda, a small glimmer of hope. The?Resilience Committee?discussed the Integrated Alert and Public Warning System (IPAWS). The question is - did it include the announcement of a national and in-coming missile alert protocol policy after all these years of raising the issue and then remaining silent on in? This, despite my emailing the association and recent news of increased threats to the nation (see the endless examples on this platform).?

How can this association claim to be relevant when it doesn't even mention one of the most existential and national security issues facing the nation: the US's lack of an in-coming alert protocol (China’s Orbiting Missile Exploits Weakness in U.S. Defenses and North Korea has fired at least one ballistic missile from the country's east coast, authorities say)?

How can it also not even mention the dire working conditions of FEMA's workforce, which has lately finally been getting Congressional traction and DHS OIG attention (Validation from The US Department of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General; Harassment and Discrimination in the FEMA Workplace; Examining FEMA’s Readiness to Meet its Mission and FEMA Avoids Addressing Incidents of Sexual and Workplace Harassment in Its Puerto Rico Office)?

It's OK, I'm on it.

Private?

The FEMA - NEMA relationship is really a shallow one - not build on trust but professional and individual interests. The promotion of its leadership and money - lots of it and who gets it. Just read their?Legislative Update. So, what you get, is a relationship where both parties know there are problems - press them gingerly - if at all - but overall - look the other way.?

Sill the fête goes on. At the recent Annual Forum, two other things caught my attention.

A Woman At the Helm

Erica Bornemann was elected the in-coming president. Congratulations to her. I'm encouraged by her election as NEMA's 2021-2022 President. It was Director Bornemann, and another colleague from Maryland, that raised the issue of the lack of an alert protocol back in 2018! Erica, I hope I can be an ally and that you lead - raise this concern again. You were spot on. Always a visionary.

Lacy Suiter Distinguished Service Award - Dir. Sprayberry

One of NEMA's highest awards it bestows on its directors is the Lacy Suiter Award. This year's recipients was Michael Sprayberry, the former Emergency Director from North Carolina. A gentlemen worthy of the recognition. Mike was always a professional and a friend to me. Congratulations.

But truth be told, Mike, where have you been on these issues? You have the respect and admiration of many of us. Your voice is needed. Please use it!

Both of you have a clear choice. Be the true passionate and competent advocates that I know you are for the profession - in NEMA's words: "credible, influential, fully engaged, and all-in for emergency management - that's NEMA" - or just hold a title.

NEMA can remain just another association or be a catalyst for the emergency management field. Remain complacent, irrelevant or be transformative. This is a time for leaders. Enough of inefficient leadership. Rise to the occasion. Ms. Bornemann - you can be that leader that makes a genuine contribution to the profession and even aspire to be the next FEMA Administrator.

###