INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ACCESSIBILITY (IDEA) POLICY

Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement

The Center for Emergency Management Intelligence Research (CEMIR) respects, values, and celebrates the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are. We believe that our strength resides in our diversity among the broad range of individuals, organizations (governmental and non-governmental), and affiliates/partners we represent and/or promote. We consider IDEA concepts as key drivers of institutional excellence and seek out diversity of participation, thought and action. It is our aim, therefore, that our members, partners, key stakeholders reflect and embrace these core values.

IDEA Framework

The CEMIR strives to support the emergency management field through its leadership by providing the best resources to enable a positive impact on local, national, and global communities. By modeling excellence to integrate IDEA concepts, the CEMIR is better situated to respond to the unique needs of the emergency management pracademics (practitioners and academics) it represents and supports within three categories:

Human Capital

It is important to support and nurture the governing board, staff and volunteers by creating positive workplace environments and structures that enable them to be engaged in their jobs and to challenge them appropriately to support growth.

Key Stakeholders

Individuals, organizations, and corporations of all types have the potential to offer insight and expertise on a broad range of strategies related to IDEA initiatives. We are committed to working collaboratively with key stakeholders locally, statewide, nationally, and internationally to strengthen the integrity, impact and relevance of emergency management pracademics.

Programs and Resources

The CEMIR strives to leverage its programs, products, and services to enhance the emergency management pracademic field and its efforts to promote IDEA concepts for those impacted by emergencies, disasters, etc. with an emphasis on:

• Standards and Best Practices
• Career Pipeline
• Professional Development
• Research and Data Collection

Approaches for Our Work

To support the expansion of IDEA in the emergency management pracademic field, the CEMIR endeavors to:

• Integrate inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, into the CEMIR’s practices,      procedures, and programs by expanding diverse leadership within the CEMIR’s leadership staff and volunteers; pursuing inclusivity and cultural competency through substantive learning and transparent policies; and modeling best practices.
• Build awareness in the field by continuously drawing attention to the rationale, the      opportunities, and the inspiration for emergency management pracademic leadership to pay attention and proactively address these issues.
• Offer professional development opportunities and resources to help emergency      management pracademic professionals develop the skills and find the tools/resources to diversify their own hiring practices and board recruitment, collections, and programs; and to be more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible in their operations, structure, and programming.
• Provide and celebrate case studies and tangible examples of best and next practices for inspiration and tactical ideas that emergency management pracademics can adapt for their own institutions/communities.
• Support the field in its self-regulatory approach to emergency management excellence as      it relates to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility—including serving as a platform for discussion/debate about what emergency management pracademics should do and require of themselves as well as providing self-assessment tools and better ways to measure the existing standards that address inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.