A well-deserved seat at the table: A policy commentary on Economic Development’s role in United States Emergency Management

William N. Ferris

doi:10.64866/j.ijdscr.2025.10016

Authors

William N. Ferris Duke Civil & Environmental Engineering, Duke University, 121 Hudson Hall Box 90287, Durham, NC 27708-0287, USA Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64866/j.ijdscr.2025.10016

Keywords:

Economic Development, Emergency Management, Disaster Resilience, Community Development

Abstract

Motivated by recent reductions in United States Emergency Management funding and increasingly-severe weather shocks, I call attention to the role of Economic Development in supporting the United States National Preparedness Goal. I discuss current Economic Development practitioner disaster response fieldwork and interventions, as well as related academic research, in the context of FEMA’s Core Capabilities to make the case that Economic Development professionals are key stakeholders in the field of Emergency Management. I conclude by making the case that Economic Development Practitioners are vital members of the Emergency Management community and provide recommendations for their integration into planning and funding decision-making processes.

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