AIA partners with the International Association of Emergency Managers to advance collaboration on resilience and disaster response in communities

WASHINGTON – August 24, 2026 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Partnership with the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). This new partnership will strengthen both AIA and IAEM’s efforts through collaboration on resilience, emergency preparedness, and disaster response at both the local and national levels. 

The IAEM represents more than 6,000 emergency management professionals across the United States and nearly 30 countries. Building on the long-standing relationships between numerous emergency managers and architects, this new organizational partnership allows all their members to access resources that highlight architects' vital role in building resilient communities.

Each August, IAEM recognizes National Emergency Management Awareness Month, spotlighting the professionals and practices that keep communities safe. As disasters grow more frequent and costly, architects are stepping up — moving beyond their traditional role as second responders to serve on the front lines, applying their expertise in building technology and community outreach to protect the people and places we serve.

“Community-wide emergencies are striking more often and hitting harder than ever before. Architects have a vital role to play in emergency response, resilience, and recovery—one that too often goes unseen,” said 2026 AIA President Illya Azaroff, FAIA. “Through our partnership with emergency managers across the country, our local AIA chapters, and programs like our Safety Assessment Program (SAP) Training, we are putting architects where their expertise is needed most. I’m calling on every architect to step forward. Our communities need us before, during, and after disasters, and together with our emergency management partners, we can help communities recover and rebuild stronger.”

AIA is encouraging its more than 100,000 members to engage with the broader emergency management community at IAEM’s 74th Annual Conference this November in Long Beach, where sessions will explore climate adaptation, reconstruction following the 2025 Los Angeles fires, weatherization, extreme heat and crisis response.

"Building resilient communities requires professionals across disciplines to collaborate before disaster strikes. Emergency managers bring partners together to assess risk, prepare for emergencies, coordinate response, and support recovery, while architects help ensure that the places where we live and work are designed and rebuilt with safety and resilience in mind,” said Josh Morton, CEM, SCCEM, President of the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA). “AEM is proud to partner with AIA to strengthen the connection between our professions and advance our shared commitment to safer, more resilient communities.”

About the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)
Based in Falls Church, Virginia, the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is a non-profit educational organization with more than 6,000 members worldwide. IAEM is dedicated to promoting the "Principles of Emergency Management" and represents professionals whose goals are to save lives and protect property and the environment during emergencies and disasters. For more information, visit www.iaem.org.