EMEAA AWARDS

2026 EMEAA Words Matter Awards 

 

The EMEAA Words Matter Awards celebrate individuals and initiatives that have made a meaningful contribution to emergency management through leadership, communication, education, and community engagement in 2026. These awards recognize EMEAA members whose work has strengthened preparedness, resilience, and public understanding, while advancing the emergency management profession at the local, national, and international levels.

 

Categories

 

Member of the Year: Recognizes an EMEAA member who has made a meaningful contribution to emergency management. This award recognizes leadership, collaboration, knowledge-sharing, or initiatives that benefit communities or the field as a whole. 

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• 3 awards will be granted, one at the local, state, or tribal level, one at the national level, and one at the international level

 

Campaign of the Year: This award honors communications campaigns that effectively informed, educated, or motivated their targeted audience to take action related to emergency preparedness, awareness, or resilience. Successful nominations will outline clear goals, effective execution, and measurable outcomes. 

 

Eligibility

 

• Nominees must be current EMEAA members in good standing at the time of nomination and award selection

• Nominees must be actively engaged in emergency management or directly supporting the field through volunteering, communications, programming, or related work

• Members may self-nominate or be nominated by another member in good standing. 

• Nominations should reflect activities completed in CY 2026

• Members of the awards review panel are not eligible to be nominated. 

 

Submission Criteria

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Member of the Year submissions should address:

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• The nominee's role and contributions to emergency management.

• The challenge, need, or opportunity the nominee addressed.

• How the nominee demonstrated leadership, collaboration, or knowledge-sharing.

• The impact of the nominee's efforts on their organization, community, or the emergency management profession.

• Evidence of meaningful outcomes or lasting contributions, including measurable results where appropriate.

• Why the nominee stands out as deserving of recognition.

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Campaign of the Year submissions should address:

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• The preparedness, awareness, or resilience challenge the campaign sought to address.

• The campaign's goals, target audience, and communications strategy.

• Key activities, partnerships, and methods used to implement the campaign.

• Evidence of the campaign's reach and effectiveness, including measurable outcomes whenever possible.

• Lessons learned, innovation, or practices that could benefit other emergency management organizations.

 

Key Dates

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• Submission window is now open

• November 10, 2026: Submission window closes

• • Note: Late submissions will not be accepted. 

• January, 2027: Winners notified and awards dispersed 

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Submission