Communities Recognized for National Emergency Mgmt. Awareness Month

Communities Recognized for National Emergency Mgmt. Awareness Month

Published on August 13, 2025

Original Press Release Source: Mid-America Regional Council (MARC)
Press Release Date: August 13, 2025

National Emergency Management Awareness Month recognizes vital, behind-the-scenes work to keep communities safe
New campaign highlights essential role emergency managers play in safeguarding lives, property and community infrastructure

The Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee (MEMC) joins the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) in celebrating the inaugural National Emergency Management Awareness Month. Observed throughout August, the new initiative highlights the critical work emergency managers perform to keep communities safe during weather-related events and other emergencies.

"Emergency management professionals work daily to ensure people, businesses and communities are prepared to respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters," said Matt May, director of the Emergency Management Department at the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. "Often unsung heroes that go unnoticed by the public, emergency managers at all levels, in all sectors, are key to building resilience."

"Large emergencies, whether planned or not, require coordination and support of first responders," said Chris Carroll, emergency manager for the Kansas City, Missouri, Office of Emergency Management. "We're often busier during nonemergency days building connections to ensure first responders know each other and coordinate efficiently to save lives, protect property and protect the environment."

Throughout August, emergency managers continue to engage elected officials, private sector leaders, nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders to educate them about emergency management programs and the profession's impact.

The MEMC also encourages residents, businesses and local leaders to learn more about regional emergency management efforts and reach out to their local emergency manager before a crisis.

IAEM's website offers information and videos on the emergency management profession and work emergency managers do behind the scenes. PrepareMetroKC provides tips and resources on disaster preparedness and a list of local emergency managers in the Kansas City region. Enrolling in national, regional and local alerts through your smart phone is another great way to stay informed.

Convened by the Mid-America Regional Council, the MEMC serves as a forum for local emergency managers to discuss and resolve regional issues, problems, projects and activities related to all-hazards emergency management. The MEMC's mission is to foster coordination, communication and cooperation among local emergency management and allied organizations through the development of policies, procedures, educational programs and resource materials related to all-hazards emergency management. Learn more about the MEMC at marc.org.

IAEM is the nation's largest emergency management professional association representing more than 6,000 emergency management and homeland security professionals. The association's mission is to foster resilience by engaging the diverse emergency management community through professional development, networking, information exchange and advocacy.

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