Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can devastate communities, leaving them grappling with the immense challenges of recovery. In the face of such adversity, effective leadership and a well-coordinated response are paramount. This is where FEMA's "just-in-time" training proves invaluable for local governments.

In 2017, FEMA reached out to a handful of people with an idea. Tim Gleason, currently the city manager of Decatur, Illinois, and a member of ICMA’s Governmental Affairs and Policy Committee, was one of those individuals, and the only city manager contacted. FEMA faced an ongoing challenge of lacking credibility when they land on the ground right after a disaster. After a couple years of ongoing discussions, the just-in-time disaster recovery training concept was created. The training combines a blend of FEMA subject matter experts and local government leaders who have experience navigating disaster recovery. The ultimate goal is delivering training to help local government professionals gain the knowledge and capacity to address the critical needs in a community’s moment of greatest need and to help them set the stage to recover better than before. 

In Gleason’s words: “It’s hard to imagine better than before right now, but the locals that are part of this training provide that assurance that it can be better. Most of us have the willingness to be there as a resource after the training has been delivered. 

My disaster was an EF-4 tornado that wiped out nearly half of my community in 2013. In talking with my peers after the recovery, it became obvious that city/county managers did not have the knowledge to lead their community through a disaster.

You could have the best fire chief, police chief, or emergency manager that typically run the lead on recovery, but at the end of the day we’re the decisionmakers and/or the filter to the elected officials. I started speaking about my experience with city/county managers and local elected officials. It got the attention of FEMA.”

FEMA’s just-in-time training provides essential, on-demand resources to equip local officials with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of post-disaster recovery. These tailored training sessions address specific needs identified by communities as they emerge, ensuring that the learning is directly relevant and immediately applicable. The trainings include guidance both from FEMA and other federal agency staff, as well as local government leaders who have been through disaster recovery and can share their experiences. 

Here's why this approach is so critical:

• Agility and Adaptability: Disasters are unpredictable and their impacts vary significantly. Just-in-time training allows communities to address their unique challenges as they arise, fostering agility and adaptability in the recovery process.
• Focus on Critical Needs: Instead of generic training, just-in-time sessions focus on the most pressing needs identified by local officials. This could include anything from debris removal and infrastructure repair to community engagement and long-term recovery planning.
• Empowering Local Leaders: By providing timely access to expert guidance and best practices, just-in-time training empowers local leaders to make informed decisions, coordinate resources effectively, and navigate the complexities of the recovery process.
• Building Community Resilience: By equipping local officials with the knowledge and skills to effectively respond to disasters, just-in-time training contributes to building more resilient communities that are better prepared to withstand future shocks.

To assist our local government colleagues who have been impacted by recent disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, ICMA is partnering with FEMA, the North Carolina City and County Management Association, and the Florida City and County Management Association to offer two free half-day Just-in-time disaster recovery trainings on January 21 and January 28.