April 2026 – The Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) is entering a pivotal phase in the evolution of its Standards, marking a significant milestone in our continuous commitment to excellence, relevance, and operational impact.
We are currently in the final stages of the Standards review process and are actively addressing public comments on the proposed revisions to the Emergency Management Standard (5-2022) and the Urban Search & Rescue Standard (2-2022). This phase is a rigorous, transparent process to ensure EMAP Standards remain credible, consensus-driven, and aligned with the needs of the emergency management and response community.
The EMAP Commission is anticipated to consider approval of both revised Standards in the coming months. This is the result of a four-year effort by dedicated subject-matter experts, practitioners, and stakeholders across the discipline. This update aligns accredited programs with current operational realities, emerging threats, and evolving best practices.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Technical Committee and both Standards Subcommittees for their exceptional commitment, expertise, and sustained contributions throughout this process. Their work has been instrumental in strengthening the foundation and future direction of EMAP accreditation.
Looking ahead, EMAP will publish the updated Emergency Management Standard (5-2026) and Urban Search & Rescue Standard (2-2026) in January 2027. As we prepare for the next revision cycle, EMAP will also engage the community to identify and onboard new members to the Technical Committee and Standards Subcommittees, ensuring continued expertise, diverse perspectives, and sustained leadership in developing future Standards.
This isn’t just a revision cycle; it is a strategic step forward for the EMAP framework, reinforcing our mission to support high-performing, accountable, and resilient emergency management programs worldwide.