Do you have any idea who your actual stakeholders are? Have you taken the time to get to know them or have other responsibilities taken the place of this? I imagine that many of you are shaking your head that other things have taken precedence over getting to know the groups in your community. You need to know these people. You need to know them because they will be your biggest asset when things eventually get hairy. You must involve all these stakeholders in the process.

How important is confidence in our work as emergency managers? I believe that it might be one of the most important, while at the same time misunderstood traits in the field. Our work places us in situations that are often stressful and dangerous. When the going gets tough, people need a confidant and professional individual calling the shots. It’s no secret that individuals like to follow a skilled leader who knows what they are doing. The real trouble is, being confidan