Introduction

This chapter introduces the reader to the need for cultural competency in emergency and crisis management higher education and practice. The evolving demographics of the United States and around the world, and the increase of billion-dollar disasters, are lending added pressure for practitioners who are credible, empathetic, relatable, trustworthy, and culturally competent. Specifically, the authors highlight lessons learned from recent natural and human-made disasters and crises, as well as the impact of shifting demographic trends in the U.S. and abroad. The pedagogy and andragogy of case studies are discussed, and the chapter concludes with an overview of the book’s organization.