Director Macon-Bibb County Emergency Management Agency
Local emergency management agencies face increasingly complex disasters, often with static or limited municipal resources. To effectively prepare for, respond to, and recover from these events, a 'whole community' approach is not just an ideal, but a necessity. However, many emergency managers struggle to move beyond traditional first-response relationships to build a deep and sustainable network of community partners.
This presentation provides a practical, scalable framework for local emergency managers to systematically recruit, actively engage, and successfully retain a diverse array of community partners. We will explore proven strategies for identifying and approaching non-traditional stakeholders, including non-profits, faith-based organizations, private sector entities, and volunteer groups. The session will detail methods for moving beyond symbolic 'blue-sky' agreements to create meaningful, year-round engagement opportunities that leverage partner strengths. Finally, we will address the critical challenge of retention, outlining low-cost, high-impact recognition and feedback systems that make partners feel valued and integral to the mission.
Attendees will leave with actionable tools to map their community's partnership assets, develop targeted outreach messages, and create sustainable engagement roles, ultimately transforming their emergency management program from a standalone government function into a robust, resilient, community-wide team.
