With disasters increasing in frequency and costs each year, this study seeks to
explore ways greater public participation could assist emergency managers in their
mission to keep communities safe. Specifically this study examines the policy process
and administrative functions of emergency management to illuminated the benefits and
hindrances involved in greater participation. This study conducted a qualitative analysis
of governmental documents, disaster case studies, international research, as well as
political science and administrative doctrines, to arrive at its conclusions. The results of
this study reveal that the public is a largely untapped resource in the emergency
management field. Engaging the public dialogically in early policy stages and
emergency management phases is essential to successful inclusion for both administrators
and communities. Specifically, public inclusion creates expanded knowledge, shared
learning, personal responsibility, and increased social capital. Faced with the growing
threat from disasters, emergency management can create communities that are both more
resilient and sustainable by increasing public participation.