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              Strategic Plan
                          Strategic Plan

                      Goal 1 - Equity
              
                                  
            
    1.1 - Diverse Workforce
                  
                                        
                    
          
                    
                                          1.2 - “People First” Approach
                  
                                        
                    
          
                    
                                          1.3 - Equitable Outcomes
                  
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                        
                    
          
                    
                            
                                                    Table of Contents
                                                Letter From Administrator
                                                About FEMA
                                                Current Landscape
                                                Introduction
                                                                      Goal 2 - Climate Resilience
                                                Goal 3 - Readiness
                                                Appendix 1 - Performance Measures
                                                Appendix 2 - Learning Agenda
                              
                                                            How FEMA Works
                                                                                  Offices & Leadership
                                                        Regions, States & Territories
                                                        Tribal Affairs
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                                                        History of FEMA
                                                        Contact Us
          Goal 1 - Instill Equity as a Foundation of Emergency Management
A standing man, standing woman and seated man in a wheelchair appear on 3 stacks of blocks that bring them to the same height.



Disasters impact people and communities differently. Every disaster occurs within a unique context based on a community’s geographic, demographic, political, historical, and cultural characteristics.



These unique contexts require **tailored solutions that are designed to meet their unique needs.**



Underserved communities, as well as specific identity groups, often suffer disproportionately from disasters. As a result, disasters worsen inequities already present in society.



This cycle compounds the challenges faced by these communities and increases their risk to future disasters. By instilling equity as a foundation of emergency management and striving to meet the unique needs of underserved communities, the emergency management community can work to break this cycle and build a more resilient nation.



The importance of equity in emergency management is not a new concept. The Stafford Act requires FEMA assistance be delivered in an equitable manner without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, language accessibility, or economic status. However, this cannot be done through a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, FEMA must be aware of, and responsive to, the needs of different individuals and communities to ensure that the **benefits of FEMA programs are available.**



Executive Order 13985 (Jan. 20, 2021) defines **equity** as *“the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.”*Additionally, *“**underserved communities** refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic life."*



The nation needs all communities to be resilient. Proactively prioritizing actions that advance equity for communities and identifying groups that have historically been underserved or disproportionately affected by disasters is critical for their resilience.



Three stacks of blocks that get progressively tallerThrough the objectives identified below, FEMA will continue its efforts to integrate equity as a foundation of its culture through transformational change within our workforce, across our programs, and throughout the emergency management community.
      
  Objective 1.1 - Cultivate a FEMA that Prioritizes and Harnesses a Diverse Workforce
                Objective 1.2 - Remove Barriers to FEMA Programs Through a “People First” Approach
                Objective 1.3 - Achieve Equitable Outcomes for Those We ServeBook traversal links for Goal 1 - Instill Equity as a Foundation of Emergency Management
      ‹Previous
          Introduction
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          Objective 1.1 - Cultivate a FEMA that Prioritizes and Harnesses a Diverse Workforce
Last updated October 16, 2023

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