NEMA EngagemenT
National emergency management policy engagement is one of the key reasons for NEMA’s establishment. Influencing national policy on behalf of states and the emergency management community is where we excel. Through NEMA, states are able to come together, unify around a position, and make a positive difference in national policy impacting emergency management.
From Congressional testimony, policy position papers, formal comments on federal policies, programs and rules, to joint letters with partner organizations on common issues – NEMA is a powerful influence on behalf of our members.
Committees
The majority of NEMA’s policy work occurs within its standing committees. State emergency management directors are the voting members of each NEMA committee. A liaison from the NEMA Private Sector, Legal Counsel, and Past Presidents Committees serve as non-voting members of each policy committee. Committee chairs are appointed by the NEMA president.
NEMA committees meet in conjunction with forums to discuss, debate, and take positions on national policy issues. Throughout NEMA’s history, its policy statements have influenced national policies, programs and legislation to benefit the states.
NEMA’s active role in the legislative process has helped to strengthen the national emergency management system through greater recognition by Congress of the importance of emergency management and increased funding for state and local programs.
Government Relations
Policy and Legislative Leadership
NEMA is regularly asked by Congress to provide feedback and information that reflects states’ on-the-ground experiences for emergency management-related legislation. Since 1974, NEMA has played a role in every piece of major legislation impacting the emergency management and homeland security landscape, including the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000; Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act (2006); The 9/11 Act (2007); Sandy Recovery Improvement Act (2013); and Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018.
NEMA is actively engaged with policy leaders on the Hill, the federal interagency, and states to strengthen national resilience to disasters through increased mitigation actions, improved responses, and stronger and faster recoveries when disaster strikes.
Collaboration
NEMA considers emergency management a team sport and works to bring stakeholders together to discuss and debate national policy issues. Collaborative partnerships are important to emergency management and NEMA. They often happen through the National Homeland Security Consortium, Stafford Act Coalition, Flood Map Coalition, Hazards Caucus Alliance, NEMA-ASTHO-GHSAC Joint Policy Work Group, and others as new issues emerge.
Emergency management can’t be successful working in a vacuum. Intergovernmental partnerships are vital to addressing the many complex issues facing states and the nation.