By Joel Sams
In March, the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), a CSG affiliated organization, is hosting an Emergency Management Virtual Learning Lab series exploring topics selected by NEMA members to address timely issues in emergency management and to address lessons learned over the past year. To view the recordings of these sessions, visit the NEMA YouTube Channel.
The National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) presented a conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion as part of its ongoing Emergency Management Virtual Learning Lab on March 18.
According to NEMA, issues of equity and inclusion in emergency management and homeland security persist, and disaster recovery often leaves vulnerable and lower-income populations more adversely impacted.
During the session, a panel of experts examined emergency management laws currently in place through an equity lens to identify how policies influence at-risk communities and how to better integrate equity into doctrine and programs.
Panelists included the following:
- Chauncia Willis, co-founder and CEO, Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management (I-DIEM)
- Patrick Sheehan, director, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
- Francisco Sánchez, Jr., deputy emergency management coordinator, Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Harris County, Texas
- Grelia Steele, Language and Communication Strategy Manager, Office of Public Affairs, Fairfax County, Virginia
Discussing the difference between an equal and an equitable vaccination effort, Willis asked participants to think about providing solutions that take into account people who lack resources.
“When we think of a mass vaccination center, I would encourage you to put yourself in the mindset of someone who already lacks access to some of the most basic resources and information among us,” she said. “So, someone who maybe doesn’t have access to a vehicle; someone who may be disabled and not able to walk well, or stand for a long time, or is not a driver; or someone who has some other access or functional need.”
Sheehan spoke of the need to recruit a more diverse workforce and ongoing efforts to raise awareness of emergency management as a career field.
“We didn’t get into this problem quickly,” he said. “We got into this problem with a lack of equity, a lack of trust, a lack of representation, over generations. And I hope it doesn’t take us generations to address it, but it’s going to take time, it’s going to take persistence, to do it.”
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The NEMA Virtual Learning Labs will continue every Tuesday and Thursday until March 25.
To register for upcoming sessions, visit: nemaweb.org/index.php/forums-meetings/nema-webinar-series-march-2021
To view recordings of past events, visit the NEMA YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/NEMAforyou.