Partnering for Community Resilience: Collaborative Approaches for Hazards, Emergency Management, and First Responders

Session Submission Type: Panel

Abstract

This panel brings together leading researchers and practitioners engaged in innovative projects that address complex challenges of hazards and emergency management through deep, collaborative partnerships. As disasters become increasingly frequent and severe, the urgency for evidence-based and actionable solutions has never been greater. The projects featured in this session reflect a transformative approach, moving beyond traditional academic research to forge meaningful connections with on-the-ground experience. Each initiative has been supported by the National Science Foundation’s CIVIC or Smart and Connected Communities programs, both of which emphasize community-centered collaboration as a core principle.

The first paper investigates the adoption and effectiveness of FEMA’s "Whole Community" approach across local emergency management agencies (EMAs) in the United States. This approach promotes inclusive collaboration with residents, community-based organizations, and local officials to better assess needs and enhance resilience. Using data from a comprehensive 2024 national survey of county-level EMAs, the researchers developed a composite index to measure the implementation of the Whole Community framework. Results indicate that EMAs with higher organizational capacity and those located in socially engaged, progressive communities are more likely to embrace this inclusive model.

The second study focuses on how collaborative platforms developed by state or federal agencies facilitate local hazard mitigation. By examining Florida’s Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) program, the research highlights how design rules, technical guidance, and shared resources can help diverse local actors work together more equitably. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study reveals that small municipalities benefit from adherence to platform standards and from the presence of platform-level representatives, which in turn fosters greater fairness, collaboration, and long-term sustainability in hazard mitigation planning.

The third paper presents a co-design project in Orlando, Florida, where researchers worked closely with community members and local government to create a portable resilience hub. Over six months, the team engaged more than 20 community partners, surveyed over 300 residents, and collaborated with local youth to ensure that the hub aligned with community values—ranging from infrastructure needs to social connection and education. The paper also discusses follow-up survey findings after hub demonstrations, evaluating how well it met the needs of residents and addressed local risk perceptions.

The fourth and final paper shifts attention to the mental health challenges facing first responders. Conducted over four years in Northern California, this participatory action research project engaged emergency responders and street-based teams to identify and implement interventions aimed at reducing burnout and moral injury. Interventions ranged from structural changes—like increasing shelter and treatment access—to internal workplace reforms, such as eliminating mandatory overtime and promoting team-building. A mixed-methods evaluation informed a comprehensive model rooted in a framework that explains how chronic stress and moral injury develop in response teams.

Together, the projects in this panel illustrate a shift toward inclusive, participatory, and equity-driven approaches in emergency management. By integrating rigorous research with real-world collaboration, these initiatives provide innovative models for strengthening preparedness, enhancing community resilience, supporting frontline workers, and fostering sustainable, community-centered solutions in the face of growing disaster risks.

Policy Area

• National & Homeland Security and Crisis Management

Chair

• David J Alexander, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Discussants

• Kate Burns, MetroLab Network

• Sanam Aksha, University of Central Florida

Individual Presentations

• A Whole Community Approach to Local Emergency Management: Antecedents and Impacts - Presenting Author: Qing Miao, Rochester Institute of Technology; Non-Presenting Co-Author: Fengxiu Zhang, George Mason University

• Collaborative Platforms and Local Resilience: Power Dynamics and Collaborative Outputs Distribution - Non-Presenting Co-Author: Heewon Lee, University of Georgia; Presenting Author: Tian Tang, Florida State University

• Co-Designing Resilience: Community-Engaged, Equity-Centered Resilience Hubs for Hazard Preparedness - Presenting Author: Kelly Ann Stevens, University of Central Florida

• Supporting First Responders in Alternative Response Programs Serving Behavioral Health Crises, Addiction, and Homelessness - Presenting Author: Miranda Worthen, San José State University

Organizer

• Kelly Ann Stevens, University of Central Florida