On September 22, 2026, FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton issued a new definition 
and professional framework for all of emergency management, establishing clearer expectations for the 
profession and reinforcing the coordination role of local emergency management agencies.
FEMA now defines emergency management as “the strategic coordination of emergency services to 
protect life, property, and continuity of operations.” The definition reflects the work performed every 
day by the Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency: bringing agencies, information, 
resources, and priorities together before, during, and after emergencies.
Iroquois County EMA does not replace fire departments, emergency medical services, law enforcement, public 
works, hospitals, utilities, schools, dispatch centers, voluntary organizations, or elected government. Our role is 
to help those partners work from a shared operating picture and coordinate planning, public warning, resource 
requests, logistics, damage assessment, continuity, response, and recovery.
FEMA’s framework identifies 12 core coordination responsibilities: capacity building; laws, policy, and 
regulation; threat protection management; public and crisis communications; disaster impact reduction and 
consequence management; operational response; damage assessment and impact analysis; incident 
command and decision authority; resource management and logistics; continuity of operations; immediate and 
short-term recovery; and continuous improvement.
The framework also identifies the professional skills emergency managers need, including command and 
coordination, emergency planning, risk analysis, decision-making under pressure, technical writing, information 
analysis, logistics, situational awareness, geographic information interpretation, training and exercise design, 
after-action analysis, and complex problem solving.
“Much of emergency management happens behind the scenes,” said Scott Anderson, Director of Iroquois 
County EMA. “Our job is to make sure the right people have the right information and resources when 
our community needs them most. FEMA’s framework gives that mission a clear and consistent 
professional foundation.”
The memorandum calls on emergency managers to “return to the basics.” For Iroquois County EMA, that 
means strengthening partnerships, maintaining practical plans, exercising those plans, improving public 
warning and information, supporting responders, documenting damage and decisions, and preparing for 
recovery before disaster strikes.
Iroquois County EMA will review the new framework as FEMA updates related doctrine, policies, training, 
planning materials, and exercise products. The agency will continue working with local governments, response 
agencies, community partners, and residents to strengthen countywide preparedness.
Scott Anderson, Director
Iroquois County EMA