Approved by the Infrastructure and Research Policy Committee on January 18, 2024
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on May 29, 2024
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 18, 2024
Policy
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports comprehensive planning, education, and training initiatives for civil engineers to effectively participate in emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts related to events that impact the nation’s-built environment, and associated physical infrastructure (e.g., water, energy, utilities, transportation, communication, and building systems). Emergency planning initiatives should be coordinated with local, state, and federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other organizations. Civil engineers should be incorporated into emergency response planning and implementation.
Issue
Communities face numerous risks and threats to their people, property, economy, and environment from natural and human-caused disasters. Recent disaster events have highlighted the nation’s infrastructure vulnerabilities, and the critical role civil engineers play as members of emergency response and recovery teams. In order to enhance public health, safety, and welfare in the aftermath of natural and human-caused disasters government agencies and the private sector should include civil engineers in their emergency preparedness, response, and recovery activities.
Rationale
The civil engineering profession can provide leadership and expertise in support of emergency preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery. ASCE members participate in the development and implementation of emergency preparedness, response and recovery strategies to mitigate the impact of future disasters on public health, safety, and welfare.
ASCE Policy Statement 499
First Approved in 2003