Emergency management is facing new and growing challenges, from more frequent natural disasters to increasingly complex crises.
To help prepare the next generation of leaders in the field, the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Region 9 Symposium Scholarship offers financial support to students pursuing careers in emergency management.
Understanding IAEM Region 9 and Its Mission
IAEM Region 9 encompasses the western United States, including states that face varied emergency management challenges from wildfires and earthquakes to coastal flooding and severe weather events. The region’s emergency management professionals work across different geographic and climatic conditions, requiring specialized knowledge and adaptive strategies.
The IAEM-USA Region 9 Symposium is scheduled for August 12 to 13, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii, and will be the first IAEM event ever held in the state. The theme, “Adaptation and Innovation: Shaping the Future of Emergency Management in Region 9,” highlights the need for the field to evolve and adopt new approaches.
Held at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii, the symposium is expected to bring together 150 to 200 emergency management professionals from local, state, and federal agencies, along with nonprofit and private sector partners.
IAEM Region 9 Scholarship Sponsorship
The IAEM Region 9 Scholarship sponsorship supports students enrolled in emergency management programs who demonstrate exceptional potential and commitment to the field. The funds from this sponsorship are to help cover travel expenses, allowing students to attend the Region 9 Symposium and engage directly with professionals across the industry.
The selection process emphasizes academic excellence, leadership, and a clear dedication to advancing emergency management practices. Recipients must demonstrate their potential to contribute meaningfully to the profession and to their communities.
The scholarship received support this year from Tidal Basin to help fund travel for one of the selected students to participate in the symposium and gain connections within the emergency management community.
Exceptional Student Achievement and Leadership
Current scholarship recipients are already making a difference in the field and have strong potential to shape their future.
One student started an IAEM chapter at their university, which won an award in its first year. They led the effort to build something from the ground up and turned it into a recognized program, an experience that mirrors the kind of initiative emergency managers often need in the real world.
Another recipient is presenting research at the IAEM Annual Conference, sharing new approaches with professionals from across the country. They’re using their work to contribute to the conversation and help move the field forward.
A third has been working directly with neighborhoods in their state, helping communities strengthen their resilience. Their efforts reflect the kind of local, hands-on work that’s essential to effective emergency management today.
Building Tomorrow’s Emergency Management Workforce
As emergency management continues to adapt to new challenges, sponsorships like the IAEM Region 9 Scholarship help prepare future leaders to step into the field with the skills, knowledge, and connections they need.
We’re proud to help make these opportunities possible, giving students a chance to grow, contribute, and gain real-world experience. Investing in emerging professionals today strengthens the entire field, ensuring communities are better protected and more resilient in the years ahead.
