The Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management sent out a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion survey recently. According to an email, HSEMD (Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department) contracted with Tetra Tech Inc. to facilitate an assessment of Iowa’s equity and diversity in disaster management plans, policies and procedures.
“The project is designed to improve how Iowa prepares for, responds to and assists underserved communities and historically marginalized populations recover from all types of disasters.”
The survey defines terms right away:
- Diversity is the practice of including the range of communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, and beliefs of different people.
- Equity is the consistent, systematic, fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have historically been denied such treatment.
- Inclusion is the practice of fostering an environment for people with different identities that are recognized, appreciated, and valued.
- Underserved communities is a term that describes any subset of a population that holds a smaller percentage within a significant subgroup than it holds in the general population.
Individuals are asked to rate the current state of each program category in a table relating to the definitions of diversity, equity and inclusion.
They’re also asked to rate the following statements:
*Cultural diversity is visible in my organization;
*Leadership shows that diversity is important through its actions;
*Our organization is committed to improving the diversity of employees;
*I understand the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion and the work that I do;
*I consider diversity, equity and inclusion in the work that I do;
*My work prepares me to include diversity, equity and inclusion in its policies, programs and activities;
*Decisions are made with diversity, inclusion and equity considerations and include underserved communities and historically marginalized populations.
They’re then asked what ways they include diversity, equity and inclusion in the work they do and what improvements could be made to improve diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in emergency management.
Responses are asked for:
*Response and recovery operations target underserved communities and historically marginalized populations;
*My work prepares me to communicate effectively with underserved communities and historically marginalized populations following disasters;
*My work tracks efforts to meet the needs of underserved communities and historically marginalized populations before, during and after disasters;
*Equity impacts are captured in real-world After Action Reports.
Questions continue:
“What should be done to better prepare underserved communities and historically marginalized populations for a disaster?”
“What should be done to support underserved communities and historically marginalized populations during the response of a disaster?”
“What should be done to better support underserved communities and historically marginalized populations during the recovery after a disaster.”
“What capacity building, training, technical assistance or other support can Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management provide to underserved communities and historically marginalized populations in disaster preparedness, response and/or recovery?”
“How can the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management or local emergency management agency better support efforts to reduce the impact of disasters on underserved communities and historically marginalized populations?”
“What improvements, if any, can be made to improve the diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management or local emergency management agency in the field?”
