Emergency management professionals are the backbone of disaster response, working tirelessly to help communities recover from hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and more. However, increasing demands and chronic burnout threaten their ability to respond effectively.

The Belfer Center, with support from McKinsey, brought together a diverse group of leaders from the emergency management community to discuss the evolving nature of emergency management, the challenges the enterprise faces, and solutions and strategies to better prepare for the new, poly-crisis climate. Among those leaders were former FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor and former Deputy Administrator Rich Serino.

We are critical thinkers, problem solvers, and decision-makers. We are expert communicators, especially when lives are at risk. Did I mention our extreme organizational skills? We love being organized. If we had extra time (we don’t, so please don’t ask) we could reorganize your walk-in closet better than the pros. We can write a plan and more importantly, we can execute that plan.