Training and Relationships Strengthen City Emergency Response

David Donnelly, CEM, GA-ACEM, CPM, Emergency Management Officer, City of Savannah

Experience That Shaped a Municipal Emergency Management Approach

Having been in this field for over three decades and part of multiple disaster response and recovery operations, it often comes back to the basics. Emergency management is primarily a relationship business—those relationships must be developed and maintained, with expectations set upfront to meet the needs of residents, businesses, visitors and city government.

The year 2004 was a watershed moment. I was in Florida serving as the county’s Emergency Manager when Hurricane Charley was forecast to strike our area, but ultimately veered into South Florida, devastating Punta Gorda. Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne quickly followed, becoming the first storms to hit our jurisdiction in years.

That year required building our team through training, exercises and partner engagement. The foundation established during that period strengthened our response capabilities for years afterward, and it is a pattern I continue to follow today.

Preparing for Rare but High-Impact Events

Establishing and maintaining a robust training and exercise program grounded in national standards is essential. If we can prepare for worst-case scenarios, we can manage smaller events as they arise.

The City of Savannah recently completed a multi-year exercise project that included multiple tabletop exercises, functional exercises and a full-scale exercise centered on a hazardous materials release requiring neighborhood evacuations. Four tabletop exercises were developed in-house.

We were also selected by FEMA’s National Exercise Division for a technical assistance grant to develop two functional exercises and secured funding for a multi-venue full-scale exercise that tested both first responders and the Emergency Operations Center in real time.

Preparedness Challenges for Coastal Cities

Savannah is experiencing record development growth, expansion of the port and a corresponding rise in population. One challenge is communicating effectively across five generations of residents, each relying on different technologies and communication channels for notifications and warnings.

At the same time, new technologies have raised public expectations for timely information and response during disasters.

Like much of the nation, we also face staffing shortages across sectors. This complicates both planning and response and raises a key question: how do we empower front-line workers to solve problems closest to them?

Emergency managers must build and sustain a network that connects partners and stakeholders to ensure information flow and resource sharing. That network behaves like a living system, constantly adapting as personnel, resources and relationships evolve.

Adapting Emergency Management for Emerging Risks

Emergency managers must continuously scan the environment for emerging threats. In Savannah, we regularly review and update the city’s Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA).

We also reference FEMA’s Strategic Foresight Initiative to compare current conditions with past projections. Those insights guide updates to training programs, exercise priorities and the city’s overall preparedness planning.

Guidance for Future Emergency Management Leaders

Professionals interested in careers in emergency management and public safety should first consider pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Administration, ideally with an emergency management minor or certificate. An MPA provides broader opportunities across the public sector.

Equally important is gaining experience through internships, volunteering or shadowing experienced professionals. Real-world exposure alongside formal education provides an invaluable perspective.

Certifications are another key step. The Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) designation is widely considered the gold standard in the profession and is often required or preferred for many positions. State-level certifications are also valuable.

Emerging leaders should also build a broad foundation across preparedness, training, exercises, plan development, public outreach, mitigation and recovery operations. A generalist background can open the door to specialized roles later in a career.

Finally, supplemental credentials such as Certified Public Manager or Project Management Professional certifications can expand leadership capabilities and create additional career opportunities.

Project Management

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