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In today’s risk environment, emergencies don't unfold slowly. Severe weather, hazardous material incidents, infrastructure failures, and public safety threats can escalate in minutes. When time is limited and conditions are changing rapidly, public alerting systems become one of the most critical tools available to protect lives. Public alerting is not just about sending a message; it is about delivering the right information to the right people , at the right time , in a wa

For emergency managers, interpreting severe weather outlooks requires more than simply looking at the risk category. While the outlooks issued by the Storm Prediction Center are a valuable planning tool, they represent probabilities, not guarantees. Even a low-end outlook can still produce significant impacts when the right atmospheric ingredients come together. The recent tornado event in Michigan serves as a strong reminder that severe weather risk categories describe likel

What Is Emergency Management? Emergency management is the organized effort to reduce the risks and effects of disasters. It involves planning, coordinating, and implementing actions before, during, and after emergencies to protect people, property, and the environment. The goal is to minimize harm and speed up recovery. This field covers a wide range of activities, including: Risk assessment to identify potential hazards Preparedness planning to ensure readiness Emergency

Shin Godzilla and the struggle to respond to the unprecedented Shin Godzilla is a special movie to me for a few reasons. One being that it’s the movie I went to see the day before I got my job offer, and another being that it is essentially Emergency Management: The Movie . I went into it expecting the usual monster-movie formula: loud destruction, heroic speeches, and someone dramatically yelling, “GODZILLA!” What I didn’t expect was a film that felt like an extended emergen

Emergency management is a profession built on service, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. Whether responding to disasters, coordinating recovery, or planning for the next crisis, emergency managers routinely operate in high-stress environments. Yet conversations about mental health within the profession have often lagged behind the realities of the job. A research poster presented at the 2025 International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Annual Co

Jem Busse • What a Winter Storm Taught Me About Emergency Management Growing up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, I thought I understood snow. I’ve seen it all from lake-effect systems, long winters, to roads disappearing overnight. I assumed I had already seen everything a snowstorm could do. So, when forecasts began shifting to show that our county might face its heaviest snow event in recent years, I felt prepared- but this storm had some lessons in store for me. One of the first le

Jem Busse • Because Tornadoes Don’t Accept Credit Cards The Importance of Public Weather Forecasting There has been growing discussion around the privatization of weather forecasting. Proponents often frame this shift as innovation-driven or efficiency-focused. However, I strongly disagree with the underlying premise of forecasting being sold as a service or product. At its core, weather forecasting is not a luxury service or a market commodity; it is a public safety function

Elected officials play a vital leadership role before, during, and after emergencies. Whether responding to natural disasters, public health crises, or infrastructure failures, elected leaders provide the legal authority, policy direction, and public communication necessary to protect lives and maintain community trust. Strong engagement with the local Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is essential to fulfilling this role effectively. The Role of Elected Officials in Emergenc

What Is SKYWARN? SKYWARN® is a volunteer storm spotter program coordinated by the National Weather Service (NWS). Trained volunteers across the United States watch for severe weather and report real-time observations, such as hail size, wind damage, flooding, and tornado sightings, back to the NWS and local public safety officials. These “ground truth” reports help forecasters confirm radar data and issue more accurate and timely warnings that save lives and property.  How SK

In times of crisis, local leaders play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well being of their communities. Whether it's a natural disaster, public health emergency, or any other unforeseen event, having the right resources and knowledge can make all the difference. This blog post aims to equip local leaders with essential emergency management resources, strategies, and best practices to effectively respond to emergencies and enhance community resilience. Understanding

Emergencies can strike at any moment, and the impact can be devastating. From natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires to public health crises, the need for effective emergency preparedness at the state level has never been more critical. This blog post will explore best practices for state-level emergency preparedness, providing actionable insights and examples to help states enhance their readiness. Understanding the Importance of Emergency Preparedness Emergency pre