Who we are

Join ICPEM in Advancing Disaster Preparedness

Disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, making robust emergency preparedness crucial, especially for underserved groups. We are committed to improving rapid response and building resilience, and we invite you to collaborate on initiatives that empower vulnerable communities.

About Us

Founded in 2009 from the merger of two historic institutes, ICPEM is the oldest learned society focused on disaster science. We bring together experts and educators to enhance global emergency management and promote integrated, multi-disciplinary approaches.

Member Benefits

Expanded resources and professional development opportunities
Influence in civil protection policy
Access to leading research and expert networks

Join our community to make a lasting impact in emergency preparedness and resilience.

As the frequency and severity of disasters increase, we are faced by the importance of effective and robust emergency preparedness and risk mitigation measures, including resilience building elements for underserved groups. Effective and rapid emergency response is crucial in minimising harm and empowering underserved communities. The heightened impact disasters have on women and those from poor economic backgrounds requires policy changes that are far-reaching and comprehensive.

Our Institute's core values make it imperative for us to strive and improve emergency preparedness and response, and we would like to explore collaborating with you on a variety of initiatives designed to enhance the viability of the emergency preparedness community and resilience building capabilities in disaster planning.

The Institute for Civil Protection and Emergency Management (ICPEM) was formed on 1 January 2009 through a merger of the Institute of Civil Defence and Disaster Studies (ICDDS) and the Institute of Emergency Management (IEM). The Institute of Civil Defence & Disaster Studies (ICDDS) was founded in 1938 (as the Institute of Civil Defence, ICD) and was the United Kingdom’s oldest learned society wholly dedicated to international disaster studies and research, and had worldwide membership. The Institute of Emergency Management was incorporated in 1996 by professional emergency planners and managers. They recognised the need to research and improve the response to major incidents and their immediate and long-term coordinated management. In so doing it was also aware of the necessity of promoting the education and training of key members of the emergency services and others, including the public, in the essential skills to deal with civil emergencies.

As the international environment changed, so has civil protection, progressing through the principles of ‘Integrated Emergency Management’ to the current use of multi-disciplinary ‘capabilities’ and ‘resilience’ approaches. Planning to mitigate threats & consequences from any cause including natural and anthropogenic hazard events including terrorism, socio-technological catastrophe & system failure. The benefits of the merger remain the same today as they were at the time and included:

An improved package and offering for our members.
A greater say and influence in matters affecting civil protection at all levels.
Wider access to eminent sources of background information, experience, and knowledge.
Greater access to resources, thus strengthening the scope to generate conferences, study days, newsletters, periodicals, exercises, and briefings for the benefit of members and the profession as a whole.
Uniting both educators and professionals, to ensure that what is being taught is to the benefit of those in the field and those aspiring to take up work in the field

We remain the oldest learned society wholly dedicated to international disaster science studies and research.

Our History

ICPEM was formed on January 1, 2009, from a merger of two historic institutions: the Institute of Civil Defence and Disaster Studies (ICDDS) and the Institute of Emergency Management (IEM).

The ICDDS, originally the Air Raid Protection League, was founded in 1938 to address WWII threats. It later evolved to focus on resilience in a nuclear age and added "Disaster Studies" to its name, becoming the UK’s oldest society dedicated to disaster studies.

The IEM, established in 1996, was created by emergency planners to enhance incident response and train emergency professionals and the public in crisis management skills.

Since its formation, the IEM advocated for high professional standards, influencing policy and sharing knowledge internationally. It provided expert advice to the media, governments, and various organizations, with members engaging in global conferences on major incident management.

Recognising shared goals, the IEM and ICDDS merged in 2009 to form ICPEM, combining their expertise and symbols into the current logo. As civil protection evolved, ICPEM embraced integrated and resilience-based approaches to address diverse threats, from natural disasters to technological failures.

The merger continues to benefit members through expanded resources, stronger influence, and opportunities for education and professional collaboration. ICPEM remains the oldest society dedicated to disaster science research.