APRIL 20258GOVBUSINESS REVIEWIN MY OPINIONByIN MY OPINIONBUILDING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE THROUGH PROACTIVE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENTKristin Weivoda, Chief of Emergency Services, the County of YoloHer leadership within the county is marked by her exceptional ability to foster collaboration across various sectors, such as government agencies, healthcare providers, first responders, and community organizations. By leading these cross-sector workgroups, Weivoda has helped identify and address critical gaps within emergency management and public safety, ensuring that communities are better equipped to face and recover from emergencies. She has been honored with prestigious awards, including EMS Administrator of the Year from the State of California and the Circle Achievement Award from the California State Association of Counties. Currently pursuing her Master of Science in Law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, Kristin is leveraging her legal education to advance further equity, innovation, and community-driven solutions in emergency management.In an exclusive interview with Govt CIO Outlook, she shared her invaluable thoughts concerning the industry's changes, the ensuing challenges and possible solutions.Community Engagement and Health EquityIn 2013, I began my career under the government of Yolo County as their Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Administrator. Driven by a strong determination to make a meaningful impact within the community, I helped establish their EMS agency from the ground up, elevating it to the recognized model of excellence in Northern California. During this time, I was also increasingly involved in Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP), which allowed me to address numerous emergencies, including Ebola, Norovirus outbreaks, California wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences deepened my understanding of the critical role that timely and effective service delivery plays in supporting communities during crises, fueling my passion for emergency management and health equity.The challenge, however, is that emergency medical services have always been more adept at reacting to crises. While conducting post-action reviews and identifying areas for improvement help revise plans and policies, they limit our ability to safeguard communities and prevent emergencies proactively. This realization prompted me to shift my inclination from reactive to proactive strategies. However, decision-making in emergency management has traditionally been reactive due to a lack of robust data within the field. Recognizing this gap, I implemented a process where we actively engage with the community to assess our effectiveness. While this approach has made it easier for the public to stay consistently informed about our plans and the time required to implement specific actions, addressing the practical aspects of emergency preparedness is equally important. To achieve this, we must understand diverse communities' unique needs and challenges, enabling us to identify and implement effective solutions.Overcoming Barriers in Emergency Response PreparednessThe most significant obstacle in the emergency response field is inadequate funding. While a notable portion of our budget comes from the federal government, the amount is insufficient to cover operational expenses. It is also exceedingly difficult to convince local government bodies to allocate resources for proactive emergency management initiatives, especially when their typical approach involves releasing funds only after an emergency. Kristin Weivoda is a visionary leader in emergency management who is recognized for her commitment to building resilient and thriving communities. As the Chief of Emergency Services for Yolo County, she has spent over a decade spearheading transformative, community-driven approaches to emergency preparedness, response, and recovery. Kristin Weivoda
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