Justin Kates (Senior Business Continuity Advisor, Wawa; former Director of Emergency Management, Somerville, MA, and Nashua, NH), Emily Martuscello (Director of Emergency Management, City of Nashua, NH), and Emily Pelliccia (Deputy Chief of Emergency Management, Albemarle County, VA) present findings from the largest national assessment of emergency management organizational structure and capacity ever conducted.
The study reveals a striking reality: more than half of local emergency management agencies operate with one full-time employee or fewer, and nearly a quarter have zero dedicated staff. Drawing on data collected from local, state, tribal, and territorial agencies nationwide, the presenters outline four practical recommendations to transform emergency management for the future: aligning on a clear value proposition, doing the right things by eliminating scope creep, measuring outcomes rather than just outputs, and telling the right story to decision-makers and stakeholders.
The session also explores how AI and automation are reshaping the field, and why emergency managers must proactively define and demonstrate their unique value before budget pressures do it for them.
About the Speakers
Justin Kates currently serves as the Senior Business Continuity Advisor for America’s favorite convenience store, Wawa, Inc.
Emily Martuscello is the Director of Emergency Management for the City of Nashua, New Hampshire, where she spearheads the city’s efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters.
Emily Pelliccia has worked in public safety for 30 years in various operational and executive level roles.
