Whole Community Engagement

The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) contracted with Tetra Tech Inc. (Tetra Tech) to facilitate a whole community assessment of disaster management plans, policies, and procedures. The project is designed to improve how Iowa prepares for, responds to, and assists populations with recovering from all types of disasters. 

To better understand the expectations of emergency management at the State and local levels, Tetra Tech will engage communities across Iowa to discuss disaster response and recovery requirements. The findings will inform Iowa’s ability to support Iowa communities going forward.

Demographic Statistics for Iowa

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the communities served by your organizations is critical to ensuring that disaster management efforts are effective in protecting the life, safety, and health of the whole community. Factors like age, finances, mobility, and more, can contribute to barriers that result in individuals being ill-equipped and under prepared for emergencies. By identifying the make-up for communities at the City and County-level, you will be positioned to support them prior to an emergency, build the overall readiness of a community or individual, and increase the chances of survival during an emergency or recovery following a disaster.