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Blog
ICPEM's blog is a platform for sharing fresh perspectives, insights, and discussions on civil protection and emergency management. It features thought-provoking articles that challenge current thinking, highlight innovative practices, and explore emerging trends. The blog provides an opportunity for members and experts to contribute their ideas, promote knowledge exchange, and raise awareness of key issues in the field. Regular contributions from professionals and award winners offer valuable content to enhance understanding and drive progress in emergency management practices globally.
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Resilience in an Age of the “Unthinkable”: Rethinking Risk, Roles and Responsibility
Insight from the ISRM Joint breakfast briefing, hosted by the Liberal Club’s Defence and Security Circle, on what resilience really means in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. This breakfast briefing brought together risk, resilience and security leaders to discuss a challenge that feels increasingly familiar: we are no longer managing isolated crises, but operating inside a continuous, interconnected disruption. From this event, one idea surfaced repeatedly:
Stephanie Buller
6 min read
From “Community Risk” to “Community Capability”: why England needs a Community Capability & Asset Register
Across the UK we increasingly talk about resilience as a whole-of-society endeavour. The UK Government’s Resilience Framework is explicit; resilience cannot be delivered by emergency responders alone, it depends on communities, businesses, voluntary organisations and citizens being enabled to play a meaningful role. But there’s a practical problem sitting right in the middle of this ambition. We don’t systematically know what capabilities already exist inside our communities
franklong5
4 min read
From indicators to impact: linking risk, climate adaptation, and resilient cities
Several recent publications have aligned in a way that sharpens a long-standing question for those working in disaster risk management, climate adaptation, and resilience policy. While frameworks, indicators, and guidance continue to improve, how effectively are they translating into reduced risk and improved outcomes on the ground? Across international policy, city planning, community resilience, and health, the challenge is no longer a lack of knowledge. It is how that know
Stephanie Buller
3 min read
Whole-of-Society Resilience: Vision or Overreach?
When the concept of whole-of-society resilience first began to dominate policy debates across the UK and Europe, it was heralded as a transformative step. The idea was compelling: that resilience should not be the domain of government and emergency services alone, but a shared societal endeavour encompassing communities, businesses, voluntary groups, and individuals. In this framing, resilience becomes not just a measure of preparedness for disruption, but a defining charact
franklong5
4 min read
National Conscription — The Silver Bullet for National Resilience and Civil Defence
In the shifting landscape of global geopolitics, the United Kingdom faces mounting challenges to its security and resilience. The ongoing war in Ukraine, tensions in the Indo-Pacific, renewed assertiveness from authoritarian states, and the increasingly blurred line between civilian and military targets all point to one reality: the era of peace dividends is over. Defence, deterrence, and resilience can no longer be viewed as separate silos. In this context, the debate around
franklong5
4 min read
Civil Defence: The Missing Lens in UK Fire & Rescue and Local Resilience Planning
For the last two decades, the organising ideas behind UK resilience have largely been civil protection and counterterrorism . The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 set out a clear framework for local arrangements for civil protection, defining Category 1 responders, including Fire and Rescue Services and local authorities and the duties around risk assessment, emergency planning, business continuity and public information. Local Resilience Forums (LRFs) were created to bring thes
franklong5
9 min read
Civil Protection: The Frontline Against Russian Aggression
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reinforced the image of conventional warfare as tanks, missiles, and drones. Yet, for much of Europe, including the UK, the more immediate threat is not massed battalions on our borders, but the insidious “grey zone” of activity that sits below the threshold of open war. Here, civil protection is not a supporting actor: it is the frontline. Grey zone tactics, disinformation, cyber disruption, sabotage, and the deliberate exploitation of vulner
franklong5
3 min read
Policy and the Comfort Blanket of Control: Why Trust, Doctrine and Command Intent Matter More
Abstract / Teaser Emergency management has become addicted to policy as a comfort blanket for senior leaders—something to wave at...
franklong5
4 min read
Learning and Partnership: Supporting the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service
By Paul Cowin Earlier this year, I returned to The Gambia for my third visit, working with the Gambia Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS)...
Paul Cowin
2 min read
Augmented Intelligence in Emergency Management: Opportunities and Guardrails for the Artificial Intelligence FutureArtificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to the realms of science fiction
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer confined to the realms of science fiction or theoretical debate. It is already shaping the way...
franklong5
3 min read
Reconceptualising Defence: Integrating Civil Protection into the UK’s 5%NATO Commitment
Written by Frank Long Interlocution On the 25th June 2025 at The Hague, the UK Government signalled its intent to increase defence...
franklong5
6 min read
An Admiral in a landlocked navy – preparing for the unexpected
The US State of Nebraska's highest civic honour is being commissioned as a Nebraska Admiral, or in its rather grander title, being made...
Liran Renert
5 min read
Including Animals in Emergency Planning: Reflections from a National Symposium
On the afternoon of Friday, 25 April 2025, ICPEM convened a wide audience of practitioners, academics and policy makers to focus on a...
franklong5
4 min read
Cyber Attack 2040
One of the standout sessions at the Third National Conference on Societal Resilience (NCSR) 2025 was the Cyber Attack in 2040 exercise....
Stephanie Buller
1 min read
Third National Conference on Societal Resilience 2025: Summary of key discussions, reflections, insights and personal perspective
The Third National Conference on Societal Resilience (NCSR 2025), held on March 10-11 at The University of Manchester, convened...
Stephanie Buller
1 min read
Extreme Weather Preparedness, Planning, and Resilience: Moving Towards a Proactive Whole-of-Society Approach
Introduction On February 12, 2025, experts and practitioners from various sectors convened for the "Extreme Weather Preparedness,...
Stephanie Buller
4 min read
EXTREME WEATHER PREPAREDNESS, PLANNING AND RESILIENCE: MOVING TOWARDS A PROACTIVE ‘WHOLE-OF-SOCIETY’ APPROACH
Online Live Conference Wednesday 12th February 2025 Chair’s Welcome and Opening Remarks Charlie Hall QPM, Former Chief Constable,...
Stephanie Buller
10 min read
Engaging in the Land Use Consultation: Why It Matters for Resilience, Risk Management, and Sustainable Development
Introduction The way we manage land in England shapes our future. Decisions on land use directly influence food security, biodiversity,...
Stephanie Buller
7 min read
ICPEM Supports Inaugural Remote Sensing for Emergency and Disaster Management Symposium
On January 21st, ICPEM proudly supported the inaugural Remote Sensing for Emergency and Disaster Management Symposium, hosted by the...
franklong5
3 min read
Active Listening and Co-Creation: Reflections on the IHRR Symposium
I recently attended a fantastic symposium hosted by the Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR) at Durham University. The event...
Stephanie Buller
6 min read
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