On September 22,2026, FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton issued a memorandum to solidify FEMA’s definition of emergency management as well as core characteristics of emergency management as a profession. The memorandum, in part, stated:

FEMA describes emergency management as, “the strategic Coordination of emergency services to protect life, property, and continuity of operation.“

Over time, the field of emergency management has expanded well beyond its original operational purpose, evolving to include new programs, responsibilities, priorities, and expectations, driven in large part by the solution-oriented approach of professionals working in crisis response.

Clear requirements, supported by core objectives and principles, are essential to building and sustaining a stronger profession. Emergency managers should share a common understanding of their purpose, responsibilities, professional skills, and relationship with the emergency services they coordinate. This standard should apply regardless of where an emergency manager serves, including government, healthcare, education, private industry, critical infrastructure, nonprofit organizations, or other sectors.

Emergency services partners, executives, policymakers, and other stakeholders should understand what capabilities to expect from an emergency manager and where emergency management responsibilities begin and end. Likewise, emergency managers must understand the capabilities, authorities, limitations, and expectations of the organizations they coordinate.

This clarity is particularly important for FEMA. As the nation’s lead emergency management agency, FEMA has a responsibility to clearly articulate the profession it represents and ensure its programs, doctrine, training, and operations reinforce that standard.

Through this coordination framework, emergency managers provide direct execution and project management activities within the disaster lifecycle. Emergency managers work in emergency operation centers, in the field, and in every sector across the nation. Defining FEMA’s emergency management scope does not exclude or prevent career specific avenues that create fulfillment in the many spaces that support lifesaving work. Rather, it enhances the ability to accomplish work in these spheres of influence.

Professional emergency managers should expect to deliver support through the following activities:

§  12 Coordination Responsibilities and;

§  Professional Skills of Emergency Management

These are not siloed responsibilities, but rather cohesive functions that provide problem solving capacity and consistent outcomes. The aim of emergency managers should be to create the greatest opportunity to minimize impacts of disasters on individuals and systems.

Emergency management is an operational profession. Emergency managers must maintain proficiency through continuous training, exercises, practical application, professional education, and study of major incidents and lessons learned. Professional development must remain current with natural, manmade, and technological hazards; applicable laws and policies; NIMS and ICS; emerging technologies; emergency communications; and evolving tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Through a more standardized approach, the field of emergency management, as well as operational stakeholders, will be further empowered to achieve success and excellence in the delivery of mission objectives in times of crisis or disruption. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities as well as foundational alignment will produce better results, and ultimately a more secure homeland.

Here is the link to the memorandum:

https://www.fema.gov/about/administrators-corner/emergency-management-framework?fbclid=IwY2xjawUp_nxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mAWJyaWQRMUhUcktOakd2clFRY0F5V2RzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEesrfgoaDN6DGacj457RUmUa4-0sSJtmVD7rPqgZ6T85zQgzDNX5UuM1AajtI_aem_QujxfdrNmAUGasMxbUb42A