IAEM Talks

IAEM Talks Podcast

Episode Title: Inside IAEM: Mid-Year Momentum, Conference Preview, and the Future of the Association

Hosts: Todd DeVoe, CEM, Guest: Josh Morton, CEM (IAEM-USA President)

Episode Overview

In this episode of IAEM Talks, Todd DeVoe and IAEM-USA President Josh Morton sit down for a candid conversation about where IAEM stands today, where it is heading, and what members should be paying attention to as we move through the year.

From mid-year priorities to the upcoming annual conference, this discussion pulls back the curtain on the work happening behind the scenes to elevate the emergency management profession.

This is more than an update; it is a conversation about identity, direction, and the role IAEM plays in shaping the future of emergency management.

Key Themes & Discussion

The State of IAEMTodd and Josh discuss IAEM's current posture, including membership growth, engagement, and its increasing visibility across the emergency management landscape. The conversation highlights the importance of staying relevant in a rapidly changing risk environment.

Mid-Year PrioritiesA look at what IAEM is actively working on right now. This includes ongoing initiatives, committee work, and efforts to strengthen professional development, advocacy, and member value.

The IAEM Annual ConferenceThe conference is more than just an event; it is where the profession comes together. Todd and Josh preview what attendees can expect, why participation matters, and how the conference continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern emergency managers.

Professionalization of Emergency ManagementA core theme of the conversation focuses on elevating emergency management as a recognized profession. This includes discussions around credentials, standards, education, and building a stronger identity for practitioners at all levels.

Challenges Facing the FieldFrom increasing disaster complexity to political and social pressures, Todd and Josh discuss the real-world challenges emergency managers are navigating today and how IAEM is supporting them.

Looking AheadThe episode closes with a forward-looking discussion about where IAEM is going, how members can get involved, and why now is a critical time to lean into the profession.

Notable Takeaways

IAEM is not just an association; it is a platform for advancing the profession.

The gap between planning and operational capability remains one of the biggest challenges in emergency management.

The annual conference is a key opportunity to connect, learn, and shape the future of the field.

Professionalization is not optional; it is necessary for the long-term credibility and effectiveness of emergency management.

Why This Episode Matters

Emergency management is evolving rapidly. The threats are more complex, the expectations are higher, and the need for leadership has never been greater.

This episode provides insight directly from IAEM leadership on how the organization is adapting and how you, as a practitioner, can be part of that evolution.

Get Involved

Stay connected with IAEM and be part of the conversation:

* Join IAEM or renew your membership.

* Attend the IAEM Annual Conference.

* Engage with committees and working groups.

* Contribute to the future of the profession.

Connect with the Hosts

Josh Morton, CEMIAEM-USA PresidentEmergency Management Leader and [email protected]

Todd DeVoe, CEMIAEM-USA 1st Vice PresidentEmergency Management Leader, Educator, and [email protected]

This is IAEM Talks.

A podcast for the members of the International Association of Emergency Managers.

Where the leaders, volunteers, and professionals of IAEM come together to talk about the work shaping our profession and the future of emergency management.

Welcome to IAEM Talks.

A podcast created for the members of the International Association of Emergency Managers, the professionals who step forward when communities face their most difficult moments.

I’m Todd DeVoe, Certified Emergency Manager and 1st Vice-President of IAEM-USA.

And today we’re launching something new for our association.

Not another webinar.Not another panel discussion.But a conversation.

A conversation about our profession, our association, and the work we are doing together to strengthen emergency management.

This is IAEM Talks.

– Why IAEM Talks Exists

If you’ve been part of IAEM for any amount of time, you know something important about this organization.

IAEM isn’t just an association.

It’s a professional community built by emergency managers for emergency managers.

Our members come from every corner of the profession. Local government, state agencies, federal organizations, universities, healthcare systems, nonprofits, and the private sector.

We are planners.

We are coordinators.

We are leaders.

We are the people sitting in the Emergency Operations Center when things go sideways, and we are the professionals helping communities recover long after the cameras leave.

But here’s something interesting about our profession.

Emergency managers spend a lot of time talking during disasters.

Yet we don’t always spend enough time talking with each other about the profession itself.

About leadership.

About lessons learned.

About the future of emergency management.

That’s why we created IAEM Talks.

Think of this podcast as the hallway conversation you have at the IAEM Annual Conference. The one between sessions where someone says, “Hey, how are you solving this problem in your jurisdiction?”

Except now we can have those conversations all year long.

The Profession is Changing

Emergency management today is not the same profession it was twenty years ago.

The risks facing communities are evolving.

The expectations placed on emergency managers are growing.

And the systems we coordinate are more complex than ever.

Emergency managers today are navigating everything from severe weather and natural disasters to cyber incidents, infrastructure failures, public health emergencies, and supply chain disruptions that ripple through communities.

In other words, the job has expanded.

Emergency managers are now expected to understand policy, coordinate across agencies, manage complex incidents, communicate with leadership, and help communities build resilience before disaster strikes.

That kind of responsibility requires a strong professional community.

And that’s where IAEM plays a critical role.

Through conferences, training, professional development, and the Certified Emergency Manager credential, IAEM helps strengthen the profession and the people who serve in it.

This podcast is simply another way to connect that community.

What You’ll Hear on This Show

So what will we actually talk about here on IAEM Talks?

First and foremost, this show is about IAEM.

This podcast is meant to give members a closer look at the work happening across the association.

The work being done by the Board of Directors, the caucuses, the committees, and the task forces that are helping shape the future of the profession.

IAEM is a volunteer-driven organization, and there is a tremendous amount happening behind the scenes that many members may not always see.

Through this podcast, we want to pull back the curtain.

You’ll hear directly from IAEM leaders about the initiatives they’re working on.

We’ll talk with committee chairs about the projects underway.

We’ll bring in caucus leaders to discuss the perspectives and priorities of the communities they represent.

IAEM has committees working on everything from education and training to certification, government affairs, technology, and professional standards.

These groups are helping define how emergency management grows as a profession.

We’ll also talk about what IAEM is doing on Capitol Hill.

Advocating for emergency management is one of the most important roles of the association. IAEM works to educate elected officials and appointed leaders about the role emergency managers play in protecting communities and why strong preparedness and resilience policies matter.

When IAEM representatives meet with lawmakers, testify on issues, or work with federal partners, they are representing the voice of the membership.

Those conversations help ensure emergency management has a seat at the table when policy decisions are made.

We’ll also explore why membership in IAEM matters.

Professional associations only work when professionals participate. IAEM connects practitioners across the country and around the world. It creates opportunities to mentor new professionals, share knowledge, and strengthen the standards that define our field.

This is where the profession organizes itself.

Where the CEM credential is maintained.

Where ideas about the future of emergency management are debated and developed.

And we’ll talk about where IAEM is going next.

Because the profession continues to evolve, and IAEM is evolving with it.

Why IAEM Matters Right Now

There has never been a more important time for a strong professional association in emergency management.

Communities today face complex risks that cross jurisdictions, sectors, and even national borders.

Natural disasters are becoming more severe.

Infrastructure systems are increasingly interconnected.

Cyber threats are growing.

And communities are looking to emergency managers not just for response, but for leadership.

That kind of responsibility requires a strong profession.

It requires standards.

It requires education.

It requires credentialing.

And it requires a community of professionals who support one another.

That’s what IAEM represents.

IAEM provides emergency managers a unified voice.

It connects professionals across jurisdictions and disciplines.

And it helps ensure emergency management continues to grow as a recognized and respected profession.

In short, IAEM helps emergency managers become better at the work we do.

And that ultimately helps communities become safer and more resilient.

Join the Conversation

This podcast isn’t meant to be a one-way broadcast.

It’s meant to be a conversation with the membership.

We want to hear from you.

What topics should we explore?

What lessons should we share?

Who should we bring onto the show?

IAEM is strongest when its members participate, share ideas, and help shape the direction of the profession.

And we hope IAEM Talks becomes another place where those conversations happen.

Closing

Thank you for joining us for the very first episode of IAEM Talks.

In future episodes we’ll be speaking with IAEM leaders, committee chairs, caucus representatives, and emergency management professionals from across the association.

We’ll talk about the work being done inside IAEM.

The ideas shaping the profession.

And the future of emergency management.

Until next time—

Stay connected.

Stay engaged.

And thank you for being part of IAEM.