State emergency agencies are the backbone of public safety.
August 2025 marks a historic milestone with the launch of the first-ever National Emergency Management Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign dedicated to recognizing the critical role of emergency management in keeping communities safe, informed and resilient.
Spearheaded by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and proudly supported by the California Emergency Services Association (CESA), this inaugural effort shines a long-overdue spotlight on a profession that is often behind the scenes but at the heart of every response, recovery and preparedness effort.
Emergency management is the discipline that plans for the unthinkable. Whether responding to wildfires, floods, earthquakes, pandemics or extreme heat events, emergency managers work year-round to ensure systems are in place to protect lives, reduce harm, and build stronger, more resilient communities. Their work spans across all levels of government—from city departments to county offices, tribal governments, and special districts such as water, power, and transportation, up through state and federal agencies.
In California, one of the most disaster-prone states in the nation, emergency management is not just a job—it’s a lifeline. Emergency managers coordinate across jurisdictions and sectors, bringing together public safety, public health, nonprofit organizations, and private industry to ensure communities are ready when disaster strikes and supported throughout recovery.
Throughout this month, IAEM and CESA are partnering to elevate awareness through public education, media outreach and professional recognition. In California, CESA and IAEM Region XI are encouraging their members and partners to share their stories, highlight their teams, and use this opportunity to educate the public and decision-makers about the essential role emergency managers play.
This month offers an opportunity to reflect on the value of this essential work. Emergency management doesn’t just happen during disasters—it is a year-round mission rooted in strategy, service, and heart. From developing wildfire evacuation plans to training volunteers, from activating emergency operations centers to coordinating with FEMA after a catastrophe, emergency managers serve with purpose, integrity, and a deep commitment to their communities.
As California and the nation face increasingly complex challenges—from climate change to public health threats—the role of emergency managers has never been more vital.
“Emergency management is the quiet force that stands “between chaos and order, and 
between fear and resilience. This month is about honoring those who show up when it matters most—and reminding the public that preparedness is a shared responsibility,” said Todd T. DeVoe, Office of Emergency Management, City of Inglewood; CEM; 2nd Vice President of IAEM-USA and President of IAEM Region 9.
The Club celebrates the people who make it their life’s work to prepare for the worst and bring out the best in our response. Share your story, thank your emergency manager, and help raise awareness about this indispensable profession.
Emergency management is not just a job—it’s a calling. And this month, we answer that call with recognition, gratitude, and pride.
Learn More and Get Involved
California Emergency Services Association (CESA):
- Website: www.cesa.net
- Instagram: @emcesa
- Twitter/X: @EMCESA
- Facebook: California Emergency Services Association
- LinkedIn: CESA LinkedIn
International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM):
- Website: www.iaem.org
- Instagram: @iaem_org
- Twitter/X: @IAEM
- Facebook: International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)
- LinkedIn: IAEM LinkedIn
