This report traces the 70-year history of the Emergency Management Institute from the founding of its predecessor in 1951 to the present. The story of these organizations’ development informs strategy about the institute’s future. The report shows how emergency management grew out of civil defense and is entering an era in which it is being given responsibility for leading preparations for an increasing variety of hazards and disasters.

The Emergency Management Institute at 70

From Civil Defense to Emergency Management in an Education and Training Institution

Patrick S. Roberts

ResearchPublished Sep 7, 2023

This report traces the 70-year history of the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) from the founding of its predecessor in 1951 to the present. The story of these institutions' development can inform current strategy about EMI's future. EMI trains primarily state, local, tribal, and territorial officials in emergency management (EM). It also trains some federal officials and leaders in the nonprofit and private sectors and provides course materials for higher education.

Emergency managers have been asked to respond to a growing number of hazards and disasters, including nontraditional missions, such as managing pandemic response and addressing homelessness. EMI will need to adapt to increasing EM responsibilities in an expanded all-hazards era by building new partnerships and training professionals in disaster management skills applicable to a wide variety of events. EMI also has an opportunity to grow from a technically focused institution into a thought leader and educator of the next generation of EM leaders.

The primary data sources include documents, research reports, peer-reviewed literature, and current and historical EMI materials. In addition, interviews and discussions with the EMI sponsor team and five current or former senior EMI staff members with long tenures added context.

Key Takeaways

  • EMI evolved as threats, hazards, and the concept of what counts as a disaster changed.
  • EMI evolved its organization, curriculum, and delivery modes in four periods, or institutional logics, in emergency management: civil defense from 1951 to 1979, emergency management from 1979 to 2001, homeland security from 2001 to 2020, and expanded all-hazards from 2020 to the present.
  • EMI's focus shifted from civil defense to emergency management.
  • EMI remained focused on emergency management training as other institutions pursued related fields
  • EMI offers more than 2 million courses per year.
  • EMI has helped the emergency management profession grow and mature.
  • Institutional logics from prior eras can be recombined.
  • EMI is at a crossroads and has options to shape its future, including expanding education programs, partnerships, and thought leadership.

Recommendations

  • Expand the knowledge base of the field, through education that can address uncertainty, not just training for what is known in advance.
  • Support the profession by incorporating new learning technologies and building new partnerships.

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Citation

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Roberts, Patrick S., The Emergency Management Institute at 70: From Civil Defense to Emergency Management in an Education and Training Institution. Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center operated by the RAND Corporation, 2023. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA1523-2.html.
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This research was sponsored by the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) and conducted by the Infrastructure, Immigration, and Security Operations Program within the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center.

This publication is part of the RAND research report series. Research reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND research reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.

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