IAEM Bulletin

Article submission deadline: Closed

Workforce Sustainability

Emergency management workforces must be maintained to effectively serve their constituents, including local, state, and federal agencies, schools, healthcare systems, utilities, and more. A strong workforce is better equipped to handle the emergencies it faces. The articles can explore ways to sustain a team or individuals. Some topics that may be considered (but not limited to) include:

• Career development.
• Personal resilience.
• Mental health.
• Family preparation.
• Continuity of the workforce.
• Succession Planning.
• Advocating for budget and staff.

Article submission deadline: May 30, 2026

Lessons Learned by Local Emergency Managers

Emergency managers at all levels can gain insights or useful information from the lessons learned by local emergency managers. Whether you are currently a local EM or have held a local position, share your experiences. Some possible topics (but not limited to) include:

• Leadership challenges.
• Creative funding.
• Building blocks to adaptability.
• Cross-functioning partnerships.

Article submission deadline: July 31, 2026

Evolving and Emerging Risks

In today’s world, global risks are quickly changing. What threats should emergency managers prepare for over the next five or ten years? Share your insights on these risks, including the level of danger, possible planning strategies, expectations, and more. Some potential topics (but not limited to) include:

• Aging infrastructure.
• New technology (i.e., data centers, EV, AI, and more).
• Climate change.
• Cascading effects.

Article submission deadline: September 30, 2026

IAEM 2026: Charting through Preparedness – Anchored in Resilience

The final special focus issue in October 2026 will center on the overall theme of the IAEM 2026 Annual Conference & EMEX, “IAEM 2026: Charting through Preparedness – Anchored in Resilience.” Your article should relate in some way to the overall conference theme. The October 2026 IAEM Bulletin will be our “conference issue.” Those presenting at the conference are highly encouraged to submit an article based on their session topic. This article should not be an advertorial for your session. It could serve as “bonus content” for your session if you are speaking at the Annual Conference. If you are a speaker who plans to submit an article:

• There is no need to incorporate your session’s time, date, or location in your submission. This information will be added during the editing process.
• All submissions must follow the Author Guidelines; be especially mindful of the word-count requirement (750-1500 words).
• Due to the popularity of this special focus issue, IAEM may have to split it across several months of publication.
• IAEM offers this special focus issue as a publicly accessible resource for one year—non-members will be able to access this issue’s articles.  
• Some topic areas for your consideration are listed below, but do not let this list limit your submission.

Recent years have brought complex, rapidly evolving challenges to the emergency management profession. IAEM invites articles that examine how practitioners are adapting through innovation, leadership, and collaboration.

Potential topics include:

• Advancements in training, education, and exercise design 
• Evolving workplace practices and leadership approaches 
• Effective preparedness, planning, and recovery strategies 
• Addressing the needs of vulnerable and at-risk populations 
• Building and sustaining community partnerships 
• Leadership best practices and professional development 
• Lessons learned and opportunities for improvement 
• The role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in strengthening the profession 
• Global perspectives on resilience and emergency management 
• Preparing the next generation of emergency management professionals 

Submissions should offer practical insights, actionable strategies, or lessons learned that can inform and strengthen emergency management practice.