09/01/2026
For the past month, I’ve been sharing a behind-the-scenes look at emergency management, and it’s been a privilege to highlight the amazing work of our team here at Marshall County Emergency Management. The work we do isn't always visible, but we take pride in it and serving our community.
But there is a larger story, and this photo captures it beautifully. Look around this room. Each person you see represents a county and a community across Kansas. We are a dedicated network of emergency managers, one in every county, and we are all working together.
We come from different towns, but we all share the same quiet purpose: to strive, mostly in the background, to make our communities safer. We work long hours, not for recognition or praise, but because we believe in protecting our neighbors and supporting our brave first responders.
That’s why so many of us are gathered here at the KEMA Conference. We’re here to learn from each other’s experiences, to strengthen our relationships across county lines, and to build a stronger, more resilient Kansas. From the largest cities to the most rural areas, we are one team, united in service. It fills my heart with pride to work alongside such dedicated professionals.
Thank you to all my fellow Kansas emergency managers for the work you do. You are the invisible force that keeps our communities whole.
It was truly humbling to stand among so many dedicated individuals at the opening of our KEMA Conference. This image shows hundreds of people, each one a pillar of safety for their respective community.
And, if you made it this far ....let me know if you want me to continue to show more behind the scenes action year round! Drop a comment below with a question about Emergency Management and maybe I'll bully (or politely ask) EMs from across the state to help answer them!
