ABSTRACT
The beginning of the second decade of the twenty-first century is an extremely difficult time for emergency managers across all disciplines. Organizations of all sizes and types as well as each level of government are challenged by extraordinarily poor economic conditions not only affecting the respective organizations, but the individuals of the community as well. Organizations have made difficult decisions to cut costs including, but not limited to, the reduction (if not elimination) of training opportunities, exercises, resources, equipment, and personnel. These cuts have come without corresponding cuts or reductions in legal, political, executive, and requirement levels. Consequently, the emergency management community is at an emergency preparedness
crossroads that may or may not succeed at mitigating risk in a given community.
