This resource center provides state emergency management directors with tools, fact sheets, briefing materials, and other resources to help educate newly elected local, state, and federal officials about the critical role of emergency management. These materials are designed to increase understanding of disaster risks, preparedness and resilience initiatives, emergency management capabilities, funding needs, and the challenges facing communities before, during, and after disasters. By fostering informed leadership and decision-making, these resources help strengthen partnerships and support effective emergency management nationwide.

resources for elected and appointed officials

These resources provide a practical introduction to the roles, responsibilities, and challenges of protecting communities before, during, and after disasters. NEMA publications, policy briefings, research, fact sheets, and other tools are designed to help local, state, and federal elected officials make informed decisions and better understand the critical role of emergency management in building safer, more resilient communities.

Biennial Report resources by State

NEMA’s State-Specific Biennial Report Resources provide customized data and insights drawn from the NEMA Biennial Report, allowing emergency management agencies to better understand their state’s capabilities, challenges, staffing, funding, and program trends. These tailored resources serve as valuable tools for briefing elected officials, supporting budget and legislative discussions, benchmarking against national trends, and demonstrating the critical role emergency management plays in protecting communities and strengthening resilience.

*Documents in this section are in Word and Excel formats.

policy and Key Priorities

NEMA serves as the collective voice of state and territorial emergency management agencies on Capitol Hill, advocating for policies, programs, and funding that strengthen the nation’s preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience capabilities. Through regular policy briefings, congressional education and information-sharing, and collaboration with federal partners, NEMA keeps members informed of legislative and regulatory developments and ensures policymakers understand the critical role and needs of emergency management.

state funding strategies

As disasters grow more frequent and complex, alternative funding strategies are becoming increasingly important to help state emergency management programs build sustainable capabilities beyond traditional federal funding sources. Diversifying funding through innovative partnerships, state investments, and resilience-focused financing helps agencies strengthen preparedness, maintain critical programs, and ensure long-term operational readiness when resources are stretched.

emergency management assistance compact (EMAC) – Coming soon

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is the nation’s premier interstate mutual aid system, enabling states and territories to share personnel, resources, and expertise during disasters and emergencies when local capabilities are overwhelmed. EMAC plays a critical role in strengthening state emergency management by providing a fast, flexible, and legally supported framework for coordination, ensuring states can support one another and deliver lifesaving assistance when it is needed most.