Welcome to the May edition of EMAP eNews. Check out what's happening with EMAP this month!

 

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Reflections on National Capability Standards and EMAP’s Role

The Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) and Commission recognize the significant work of the FEMA Review Council in developing its final report and recommendations to strengthen the nation’s disaster preparedness, response, and recovery framework. I believe one of the Council’s most important recommendations is the adoption of national capability standards to support a system in which disaster response is locally executed, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments are responsible for management, and the federal government provides support.

 

The Council’s findings regarding fragmentation, inefficiency, and inconsistent capabilities across jurisdictions reinforce what many of us in the emergency management community have long known: a unified standards-based approach is essential. For more than two decades, EMAP has addressed this need through its ANSI-accredited Emergency Management Standard and its Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Standard, each of which provides a comprehensive, measurable framework for the programmatic and operational capabilities required for effective emergency management.

 

As the Council highlights the need to reduce fragmentation, eliminate duplication, and improve consistency across state, local, tribal, and territorial systems, I see EMAP accreditation as an established, proven pathway to achieving those outcomes. Our framework supports leadership at every level by establishing clear, measurable expectations for capability while preserving the flexibility needed to address unique governance structures, authorities, and risks.

 

In my view, the FEMA Review Council’s recommendation affirms what the emergency management community has long recognized: the need for a consistent, capability-based national framework. EMAP already provides that framework. Our standards enable emergency management programs and US&R teams to demonstrate measurable capabilities, align their operations with national expectations, and maintain sustained readiness through a validated, proven accreditation process that strengthens preparedness nationwide.

 

Designed to support integration and interoperability, EMAP’s standards apply to local, tribal, territorial, regional, state, federal, and private-sector entities. The US&R Standard aligns with national and international systems, including the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Response System, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), the State Urban Search and Rescue (SUSAR) Alliance, and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), reinforcing a consistent, capability-based approach to operational readiness and interstate mutual aid coordination.

 

EMAP’s Emergency Management Standard is implemented nationwide and applied internationally across multiple jurisdictions, including Canada, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and the British Virgin Islands. Our standards have also been adopted across a diverse range of sectors, including higher education, international governments, critical infrastructure, and private-sector organizations.

 

Across the United States, EMAP-accredited programs and US&R resources are actively implemented at the state, local, tribal, and territorial levels, demonstrating sustained participation in a national, capability-based framework. To me, this level of adoption shows that EMAP’s standards are scalable, adaptable, and already functioning as a model for consistent, capability-based emergency management across diverse systems.

 

In addition to accredited programs, our standards are being implemented by a broad and growing group of emergency management organizations across the United States and internationally, including state agencies, Tribal Nations, major metropolitan jurisdictions, counties, critical infrastructure entities, and private sector partners. This level of engagement reflects growing demand for a consistent, capability-based framework and further demonstrates EMAP’s role in shaping the future of emergency management practice.

 

EMAP’s framework directly addresses the Council’s call for national capability standards by providing an established, validated system already in use across jurisdictions and sectors. Without a consistent, standards-based framework, fragmentation and variability in capability will continue to challenge coordinated national response efforts. Taken together, our standards, accreditation framework, and expanding implementation demonstrate that a national, capability-based approach to emergency management is not only achievable but already in practice.

 

With the FEMA Review Council’s final report approved and advancing to the President and federal leadership, I encourage FEMA, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and federal policymakers to leverage and build upon ANSI-accredited EMAP standards as the foundation for national capability development. EMAP remains committed to supporting emergency management programs nationwide, and I stand ready, alongside the Commission, to help advance a more consistent, accountable, and capability-driven approach to national preparedness.

 

Thank you,

Jody Ferguson

EMAP Commission Chair

EMAP is requesting that all current Assessors complete the Assessor Availability Form to assist with planning and scheduling for upcoming accreditation activities.

 

Maintaining current availability information helps EMAP effectively coordinate assessment teams, document reviews, and related program support activities throughout the year.

 

Whether you are currently available for assignments or anticipate limited availability, we encourage all Assessors to complete the form to ensure EMAP has the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.

 

Please use this link to submit your availability information.

 

Contact us with any questions at emap@emap.org. Thank you for your help!

The recent FEMA Review Council Final Report has generated significant discussion across the emergency management community regarding the future of national preparedness, disaster response, capability development, and operational coordination. Among the Council’s major findings was the recognition that the nation continues to face challenges related to fragmented capability development, inconsistent operational standards, administrative inefficiencies, and uneven preparedness across jurisdictions.

 

For the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), many of these recommendations reaffirm the importance of a capability-based, standards-driven framework that has been in place for more than two decades.

 

The FEMA Review Council specifically emphasized the need for nationally adopted capability standards, interoperable systems, mission-ready resources, scalable training, and improved coordination among federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, nonprofit, and private-sector partners. These concepts are foundational elements already embedded within EMAP’s ANSI-accredited Emergency Management Standard (EMS) and Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Standard.

 

EMAP’s Standards establish measurable expectations across prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, continuity planning, communications, logistics, resource management, training, exercises, and operational coordination. Through the accreditation process, programs demonstrate compliance through documentation review, peer assessment, interviews, demonstrations, corrective action planning, and Commission oversight, ensuring that accredited programs are not only organized effectively but are capable of delivering measurable operational outcomes.

 

The FEMA Review Council’s guiding doctrine that disasters should be “locally executed, state or tribally managed, and federally supported” directly aligns with EMAP’s long-standing philosophy. EMAP’s framework was intentionally designed to support local flexibility while establishing nationally recognized capability expectations that can be adapted to varying governance structures, authorities, and risk environments.

 

Importantly, the Council’s recommendations regarding interoperable communications, typed resources, credentialed personnel, mutual aid systems, and mission-ready teams are already addressed through existing EMAP Standards. EMAP’s accreditation process validates that programs maintain operational systems capable of supporting multi-jurisdictional incidents, coordinated logistics, interoperable communications, and sustained emergency operations.

 

The Report also reinforces the importance of professionalizing emergency management through standardized training, exercises, corrective action programs, and continuous capability improvement. EMAP accreditation evaluates these exact elements through Standards requiring formal training programs, exercise cycles, corrective action tracking, and ongoing evaluation of operational readiness.

 

EMAP’s Standards continue to demonstrate that national capability-based emergency management is not a future concept; it is already operational across accredited programs and US&R Resources nationwide and internationally. Today, EMAP-accredited programs include state, local, tribal, territorial, federal, higher education, private sector, and international entities that collectively demonstrate measurable preparedness and operational capability.

 

As national conversations continue regarding implementation of the FEMA Review Council recommendations, EMAP remains committed to supporting emergency management programs through measurable standards, accreditation, capability validation, and continuous improvement. The Council’s report reinforces what the emergency management profession has long recognized: strong preparedness requires consistent standards, validated capabilities, and sustained operational readiness.

 

EMAP stands ready to continue supporting this mission through a proven accreditation framework already helping programs strengthen preparedness, improve interoperability, and build resilient communities nationwide.

 

For many emergency management professionals, standards and accreditation are often viewed through the narrow lens of compliance. Programs frequently approach the accreditation process as a documentation exercise focused on producing plans, policies, and procedures to satisfy a checklist of requirements. While documentation is certainly necessary, this perspective fundamentally misses the operational intent of the Emergency Management Accreditation Program EMS 5-2022 Standard.

 

The EMS 5-2022 Standard was not designed to function as a collection of isolated requirements. It was designed as a comprehensive enterprise management model for operating an emergency management program as an integrated system. The Standard establishes the organizational framework necessary to manage risk, coordinate stakeholders, sustain operational readiness, support incident operations, and maintain continual improvement across the emergency management enterprise.

 

Programs that pursue documentation without operational integration often create the illusion of preparedness rather than sustainable capability. The true value of the Standard lies not in the existence of plans or procedures, but in how the various elements of the program function together as an interconnected operational system.

 

Emergency management programs do not fail solely because they lack individual capabilities. More often, they struggle because those capabilities operate independently in organizational silos with limited coordination, limited sustainment processes, and limited integration into the larger program framework. The EMS 5-2022 Standard directly addresses this challenge by establishing operational interdependencies between all major areas of the emergency management program.

 

At its core, the Standard treats emergency management as an enterprise function rather than a single operational discipline.

 

The Emergency Management Program as an Enterprise System

Emergency management is frequently associated with disaster response, Emergency Operations Centers, or incident coordination during crises. However, response operations represent only one component of a much larger management system. The effectiveness of incident operations is directly influenced by the strength of the program operating behind the scenes during steady-state conditions.

 

The EMS 5-2022 Standard recognizes this reality by organizing emergency management into interconnected operational themes that collectively support the program's overall mission.

 

Program Administration and Evaluation establishes the governance structure to strategically manage the organization. Coordination and Advisory Committee functions ensure that the program remains integrated with stakeholders, partner agencies, and executive leadership. Administration and Finance supports sustainment, resource allocation, and program continuity. Laws and Authorities establish the legal framework that enables operational action during emergencies.

 

These areas are not administrative formalities. They are operational enablers that directly influence the program’s ability to function during incidents.

 

Similarly, the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) process drives nearly every other operational area within the Standard. Hazard mitigation priorities, prevention activities, training priorities, exercise objectives, resource management decisions, communications strategies, and continuity planning should all be informed by the program’s risk profile. When programs fail to integrate HIRA findings into operational decision-making, preparedness activities often become disconnected from actual threats and hazards.

 

The Standard intentionally creates these interdependencies to prevent siloed program development.

 

Operational Integration Across the Standard

One of the most important concepts within EMS 5-2022 is that no single standard area operates independently.

 

Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government planning cannot function effectively without coordination with resource management, communications, facilities, and personnel management. Emergency Operations Plans and Recovery procedures depend on interoperable communications systems, incident management structures, trained personnel, and logistics support. Training programs should reflect operational procedures identified within plans, while exercises should validate both the plans and the personnel responsible for implementing them.

 

When these operational areas are disconnected, programs often develop significant capability gaps despite possessing extensive documentation.

 

A common example can be seen in exercise programs. Some organizations conduct regular exercises that meet scheduling requirements but are not aligned with identified hazards, operational plans, or capability gaps. Corrective actions may be documented but never integrated into planning revisions, training priorities, or budget discussions. Over time, the exercise program becomes an isolated activity rather than a driver of organizational improvement.

 

Communications systems provide another example of operational interdependency. A jurisdiction may possess a technically advanced communications infrastructure, but if interoperable procedures, warning processes, training, and maintenance schedules are not integrated into operational planning, the communications capability may fail during a complex incident.

 

The Standard addresses these challenges by requiring maintenance processes, evaluation procedures, and continual improvement mechanisms throughout the program. Nearly every major operational area within EMS 5-2022 includes expectations for review, revision, testing, evaluation, or corrective action. This reflects a fundamental operational reality: emergency management programs cannot remain static while hazards, technology, organizational structures, and operational environments continue to evolve.

 

The Standard therefore functions as both an operational framework and a sustainment model.

 

Continual Improvement as an Operational Requirement

One of the strongest operational concepts embedded within EMS 5-2022 is continual improvement.

 

Many emergency management programs focus heavily on plan development while devoting significantly less attention to long-term sustainment. Plans may be developed to satisfy a requirement, but are not routinely reviewed, exercised, updated, or integrated into operational decision-making. Over time, the program becomes increasingly disconnected from current risks, organizational realities, and operational capabilities.

 

The EMS 5-2022 Standard intentionally counters this tendency by incorporating maintenance and evaluation processes throughout the system.

 

Training programs must be evaluated and updated. Exercises must generate corrective actions. Communications systems require testing and maintenance. Continuity plans require review and revision. Public information procedures must be validated. Resource inventories must remain current. Facilities must support operational requirements. The program itself must continually assess and improve its capabilities.

 

This creates a closed-loop management system in which assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, corrective action, and reassessment continuously reinforce one another.

 

From an operational perspective, this may be one of the most valuable aspects of the Standard. It recognizes that preparedness is not a static achievement. Preparedness is a continuously managed operational condition.

 

Executive Governance and Organizational Support

Another important operational element of the Standard is its recognition that emergency management capability depends heavily on executive governance and organizational support structures.

 

Emergency management programs cannot sustain operational capability solely through the efforts of emergency managers. Legal authorities, administrative support, financial processes, executive coordination, and stakeholder engagement all influence the program’s ability to function effectively.

 

The inclusion of Program Administration, Coordination, Advisory Committees, Administration and Finance, and Laws and Authorities within the Standard reflects this enterprise-level perspective. These areas help ensure that emergency management remains integrated into the broader organizational structure rather than operating as an isolated department independent of executive leadership.

 

This alignment becomes especially important during complex incidents that require unified decision-making, resource prioritization, policy guidance, and cross-organizational coordination.

 

Accreditation as Validation Rather Than the Objective

The operational value of EMS 5-2022 extends beyond accreditation itself.

 

Accreditation should not be viewed as the program's final objective. Instead, the accreditation process serves as a structured gap analysis and external validation mechanism that helps programs evaluate the maturity, integration, and sustainment of their operational capabilities.

 

Programs that fully embrace the operational intent of the Standard often discover that accreditation becomes a byproduct of effective enterprise management rather than a stand-alone project.

 

This distinction matters. When organizations focus exclusively on obtaining accreditation status, they may prioritize document production over operational integration. Conversely, when organizations focus on building sustainable, interconnected capabilities aligned with the Standard, accreditation naturally becomes evidence that the system is functioning as intended.

 

The EMS 5-2022 Standard has also been crosswalked against numerous national and international frameworks, including FEMA doctrine, National Fire Protection Association standards, and management systems similar to those used by the International Organization for Standardization. This reinforces the broader principle that mature emergency management programs must function as integrated management systems rather than collections of independent activities.

 

Conclusion

The EMS 5-2022 Standard represents far more than a compliance checklist or accreditation benchmark. It provides a practical operational framework for managing the emergency management program as an interconnected enterprise system.

 

The Standard intentionally integrates governance, risk assessment, planning, communications, resource management, continuity, training, exercises, public information, and continual improvement into a coordinated operational model designed to sustain preparedness over time.

 

For emergency management professionals, this may require a shift in perspective. The question is no longer whether a program possesses individual plans, procedures, or capabilities. The more important question is whether those elements function together as a unified operational system capable of adapting, sustaining, and improving over time.

This month, we want to pass along some general reminders on how you can use PowerDMS, not just a place to store proofs, but as an assessment management tool to set reminders, automate processes, and track your progress on a day-to-day basis.

 

To maximize the usability of PowerDMS during your EMAP assessment, consider these best practices:

• Set statuses – Within each standard, set the status to reflect the current state of that standard’s readiness. Mark it “In Progress” to keep track of standards that still need your attention. Once you have added all your proofs, change the status to “In Compliance” to tell you it is ready for review.
• Set expiration dates – Just below where you would set the status, you can set that status to expire on a certain date. Maybe you know another document will need to be added next year? Set the “In Compliance” status to expire on a date of your choosing so the system lets you know that the Standard needs attention.
• Set up auto-reminders – Use PowerDMS’s tasks feature to keep your team on track. Set deadlines for each section of your assessment, and PowerDMS will automatically send notifications to team members who have yet to complete their assigned tasks.
• Use the reporting tools – Take advantage of PowerDMS’s reporting capabilities to track the progress of your EMAP assessment in real-time. These reports can be customized to show completion rates, identify outstanding tasks, and highlight areas that need attention.

If you need any assistance with learning the functions within PowerDMS, be sure to use the Success Community and PowerDMS University.

 

The Success Community has a special group for emergency management accreditation, where you can network with colleagues from across the country. There are also videos and articles to help you with the functionality of the PowerDMS program.

 

PowerDMS University is the place for live, instructor-led online courses on various functions within PowerDMS. There are also self-paced courses that you can complete on your own schedule.

 

The Success Community and PowerDMS University are both accessed from the Help menu within PowerDMS.

The next NEOGOV Ignite conference will be held October 21-23, 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The conference is an opportunity to embrace innovation, navigate change, and explore new opportunities with like-minded individuals. Click here for more information. 

 

One of the most common questions EMAP receives during the accreditation process is why meeting agendas, attendance sheets, or meeting invitations alone are often insufficient as proof of compliance documentation. While these documents may indicate that a meeting occurred or that stakeholders were present, they do not necessarily demonstrate that the standard's specific requirements were addressed, implemented, or maintained.

 

EMAP Standards are designed to evaluate not only the existence of activities but also their substance, outcomes, and ongoing management processes. For example, a standard may require evidence that stakeholders participated in the development of a plan, policy, process, or procedure. An attendance sheet may show who attended a meeting, but it typically does not demonstrate what input was provided, what decisions were made, or how stakeholder feedback influenced the final product. Similarly, agendas often list topics for discussion but may not document whether those discussions occurred, what actions resulted, or whether responsibilities and follow-up activities were assigned.

 

To strengthen proof of compliance documentation, programs should consider including supporting materials such as:

• Meeting minutes summarizing discussions and decisions.
• Draft revisions or tracked changes reflecting stakeholder input.
• Action items or follow-up assignments.
• Emails or correspondence documenting coordination and feedback.
• Final approved documents showing implementation of the discussed changes.

Programs should also ensure that submitted documentation clearly aligns with the intent and language of the applicable standard element. Assessors are evaluating whether the program can demonstrate a repeatable, implemented, and maintained capability, not merely whether a meeting occurred.

 

Providing clear, substantive documentation can help reduce requests for clarification during the assessment process and better demonstrate the maturity and sustainability of the program’s emergency management activities.

EMAP holds monthly webinars offering you practical insights to support your program at every stage of the accreditation process. Each session highlights a specific area of the Standards, with real-world examples and lessons learned from experienced programs.

 

Explore our upcoming sessions:

 

Thursday, June 18, at 1:00 p.m. ET

Standard 4.7 Resource Management and Logistics

 

This webinar will focus on the intent and real-world application of Standard 4.7. We will discuss operational considerations and how programs can strengthen resource management and logistics processes. Register for this webinar here. 

 

Thursday, July 30, at 1:00 p.m. ET

Program Documentation

 

Emergency management professionals have a multitude of documents they need to manage. In this webinar, we will speak with a subject-matter expert about one approach to managing the program’s documentation library to ensure it remains relevant and up to date. Register for this webinar here. 

Find our full 2026 webinar schedule here.

EMAP’s virtual cohort trainings support emergency management programs as they make meaningful progress toward accreditation. Each offering delivers practical tools, real-world examples, and clear strategies to help participants navigate the EMAP Standards with confidence.

 

Whether your program is preparing for initial accreditation, strengthening existing processes, or exploring opportunities to serve as an EMAP assessor, these sessions provide a solid foundation for success.

 

This cohort is designed for programs preparing for accreditation, enhancing an existing program, or individuals interested in assessor roles. Participants will walk through the Emergency Management Standard, gain clarity on compliance expectations, and learn how to translate requirements into actionable next steps.

 

Upcoming cohort dates:

• June 23-25, 2026, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. ET

• September 8-10, 2026, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. ET

• December 1-3, 2026, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. ET

 

Designed specifically for US&R Task Forces and prospective assessors, this cohort focuses on applying EMAP Standards to real-world operational challenges. Participants will explore compliance requirements, share lessons learned, and strengthen readiness using the Standard as a practical tool.

 

Upcoming cohort dates:

• September 15-17, 2026, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. ET

EMAP's Business Consultant Training is a specialized course designed to equip consultants with the knowledge and tools to apply the Emergency Management Standard, support planning, and prepare for accreditation assessments.

 

Participants build a well-rounded understanding of the Standard, stay aligned with current EMAP assessment guidance, and strengthen their ability to support effective planning, documentation, and accreditation readiness. Consultants who complete the training are also recognized on the Business Consultant Initiative webpage, where their profiles highlight their firms and services.

 

2026 Training Dates:

• August 26-27, 2026

Register here.

Emergency Management Partners, LLC (EM Partners) is a small, client-focused emergency management consulting firm with national qualifications. From preparedness planning to post-disaster support consulting, EM Partners brings experience across the entire spectrum of emergency management. Our team members have served in the private sector, higher education, and government organizations in emergency management positions. Our collective experience and capabilities that position us as the best firm for your emergency management and emergency planning needs include the following:

• A focus on developing a relationship with our clients to best understand and deliver superior customer service and provide a tailored approach for each client.
• A cadre of over 250 staff with diverse capabilities and expertise, providing the scalability and flexibility to quickly adapt and surge resources based on our clients’ needs.
• Experience with grant programs that typically fund planning projects.

As a leading emergency management consulting firm, we build strong partnerships through empowerment, knowledge, and trust in delivering full-spectrum emergency management services. We work with local, state, federal and private clients in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.

 

Learn more by visiting the EM Partners website.