Through this article, Martuscello emphasizes the significance of AI during emergency management.
Picture an emergency manager using AI to instantly generate an emergency alert during a crisis—saving precious time and allowing them to focus on leading the response effort. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming countless industries and emergency management is no exception. AI is a powerful force multiplier, offering us the chance to work smarter and more efficiently.
AI has become increasingly capable of handling tasks like drafting reports, creating plans and analyzing vast datasets in seconds. For emergency managers, this presents a tremendous opportunity to redirect energy towards work that requires that human element. With AI managing the details, we can concentrate on building the strong partnerships and community trust that form the foundation of an effective emergency management program.
AI is not just a tool for efficiency; it’s a means to empower emergency managers to connect with communities, lead with compassion and create resilience in a rapidly evolving world
In my role as a director of emergency management, we have used AI to bring efficiency to the emergency planning process. A recent example is the development of our City-wide Continuity of Operations Plan. By leveraging AI to draft essential functions for each department, we gave the plan a jump-start, sparking meaningful dialogue among stakeholders to refine and finalize critical operations.
Beyond planning for continuity, AI is also revolutionizing how we approach hazard mitigation efforts. Every community must have a Hazard Mitigation Plan, but federal requirements make the process onerous and time-consuming. By utilizing generative AI tools, we reduced our typical one-year planning timeline to just three months. Even better, we used the regained time to engage with the community—educating them about the hazards they face and fostering resilience in the face of disasters. This is the kind of proactive, people-centered work that emergency managers should lead.
As emergency managers, we are at the heart of our communities. When disasters strike, it’s our relationships and ability to quickly mobilize resources that make the difference. Yet too often, administrative tasks pull us away from this critical work. AI enables us to reclaim those hours and reinvest them in activities that strengthen community engagement, stakeholder collaboration and preparedness efforts.
AI also empowers us to adapt more effectively to complex challenges and emerging threats. With routine tasks automated, we can focus on strategic planning and crisis leadership—areas where human judgment and expertise are essential. For example, AI can provide real-time data and insights during a crisis, facilitating faster, more informed decisions that can save lives.
Emergency management programs across the country are often understaffed, making it critical to maximize resources. AI streamlines processes, increases situational awareness and enhances our capacity to respond with agility. This transformation does not replace the need for emergency managers; it strengthens our ability to fulfill our mission and amplify our impact.
As we integrate AI into our work, we have the chance to redefine our roles.
While AI handles technical and repetitive tasks, we can focus on human-centered responsibilities that no machine can replicate. Whether it’s connecting with local leaders, guiding communities through disasters or collaborating with partners to strengthen resilience, these tasks rely on the empathy, trust and leadership only we can provide.
Let’s seize this opportunity to lead with AI as an ally. By leveraging AI as a force multiplier, we can elevate our work, enrich our relationships and create a future where emergency management is both more efficient and more human-centered. AI is not just a tool for efficiency; it’s a means to empower emergency managers to connect with communities, lead with compassion and create resilience in a rapidly evolving world. Together, we can harness the power of AI to strengthen our communities and ensure we are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead.
