Code of Conduct and Professional Standards – Keystone Emergency Management Association

Preamble:

The Keystone Emergency Management Association (KEMA) is dedicated to advancing the capabilities and expertise of emergency management professionals and volunteers throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and conduct is essential to achieving our mission of safeguarding lives and protecting property from the impact of natural and man-made disasters. This Code of Conduct and Professional Standards serves as a guiding framework for all KEMA members, ensuring the delivery of effective, just, and compassionate emergency management services to the communities of Pennsylvania.

Mission:

The mission of KEMA is to advance and strengthen the capabilities and expertise of emergency management professionals and volunteers throughout Pennsylvania. Through proactive collaboration and the sharing of vital information, we are committed to safeguarding lives and protecting property from the impact of natural and man-made disasters. Our core values are rooted in education, cooperation, and the establishment of strategic partnerships with emergency response organizations, all aimed at achieving our overarching goal.

Vision:

The vision of KEMA is to be the preeminent and results-driven organization of emergency management professionals, esteemed for our unwavering commitment to excellence in preparedness and rapid response to emergencies. We are dedicated to becoming the trusted and go-to resource for the Pennsylvania emergency management community, offering comprehensive training, expert guidance, and unwavering support that fosters a more resilient Commonwealth.

Objectives:

Education: Prioritize the continuous professional development of emergency management practitioners to ensure practitioners are equipped with up-to-date knowledge and skills for effective response to evolving challenges.
Collaboration: Foster open communication and cooperation among stakeholders for a holistic approach to emergency management.
Partnerships: Seek and cultivate strong partnerships to enhance collective ability to mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies.
Excellence: Maintain the highest standards of excellence to position KEMA as a benchmark for proficiency in emergency management practices.

Principles:

KEMA members agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the basic principles of RESPECT, COMMITMENT, and PROFESSIONALISM.

RESPECT: Respect for officials, colleagues, associates, and the people served is paramount. Compliance with laws and regulations is mandatory, and fiscal resources are to be respected through responsible decision-making.
COMMITMENT: Commitment to promoting trust, continuous improvement, honest relationships, and impeccable accuracy in communication. Commitment to enhancing stewardship of resources and improving the quality of life in the community served.
PROFESSIONALISM: Active promotion of professionalism to ensure public confidence in Emergency Management. Professionalism is founded on education, safety, and protection of life and property.

Code of Ethics:

Emergency management professionals associated with KEMA adhere to the following foundational tenets:

Think ethically, act morally: Emergency management professionals have a duty of care that requires a careful, critical decision-making process grounded in ethical deliberation.
Obey the law: Emergency management professionals are obliged to obey the law, recognizing the distinction between legal and moral obligations.
Maximize the good: Emergency management professionals seek to do the greatest good for the greatest number while considering the needs of the most vulnerable.
Respect the rights: Emergency management professionals respect the rights of individuals and organizations, fulfilling duties and obligations to those served.
Build trusting relationships: Trust is essential to effective emergency management practice, gained through virtuous character, competence, law-abiding conduct, and avoidance of conflicts of interest.
Ethical decision-making process: When faced with an ethical dilemma, emergency management professionals use a transparent, inclusive, and effective decision-making process.

Professional Standards of Conduct:

KEMA members adhere to the following professional standards:

Responsibility to Affected Populations: Central to this commitment is a steadfast recognition of diversity, emphasizing the importance of tailoring emergency management efforts to the unique needs and circumstances of various communities. KEMA members prioritize effective communication strategies to ensure that critical information reaches all segments of the population, fostering a sense of inclusivity and understanding during times of crisis. Furthermore, a commitment to collaboration is integral, as KEMA members actively engage with diverse stakeholders to pool resources, expertise, and efforts. In alignment with this responsibility, KEMA members dedicate themselves to advancing programs that prioritize life safety and the reduction of damage, reflecting a comprehensive and proactive approach to emergency preparedness and response.
Responsibility to Partners, Stakeholders, and Public: This standard underscores a commitment to building robust relationships with a spectrum of partners and stakeholders involved in emergency management. KEMA members place significant emphasis on legal compliance, ensuring that their actions align with established regulations and frameworks. Advocacy forms an integral component, as members actively champion the interests of the communities they serve. Accurate representation is paramount, and KEMA members strive to convey information transparently and truthfully, fostering trust among the public and stakeholders alike. Supporting evidence-based choices is a key tenet, as KEMA members engage in decision-making processes informed by reliable data and expertise. Staying well-informed is a continuous endeavor, enabling KEMA members to adapt to evolving circumstances and emerging challenges effectively.
Responsibility to the Environment: This standard underscores the profound recognition of the interconnectedness of various environments and ecosystems. KEMA members emphasize the critical need to safeguard the natural environment, acknowledging its intrinsic value and its role in supporting the well-being of communities. In the pursuit of responsible emergency management, KEMA members actively engage in efforts to mitigate the impact of crises on the environment and promote sustainable practices. Furthermore, a central aspect of this responsibility involves nurturing the recovery of the natural environment in the aftermath of emergencies, striving to restore ecological balance and resilience. By prioritizing the protection and restoration of the environment, KEMA members contribute to the broader goal of creating a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between human societies and the natural world.
Responsibility to Colleagues: Commitment to fostering a professional and supportive work environment. Central to this responsibility is the emphasis on providing unwavering support to fellow professionals in the field of emergency management. KEMA members recognize the demanding nature of their work and actively seek to cultivate an atmosphere where collaboration, mutual assistance, and encouragement thrive. Additionally, a crucial aspect of this commitment involves addressing unprofessional behavior with appropriateness and diligence. KEMA members are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of professional conduct, and in instances of unprofessional behavior, they strive to respond in a manner that promotes accountability, integrity, and the overall integrity of the emergency management profession. Through these efforts, KEMA members contribute to a workplace culture that values professionalism, cooperation, and the shared pursuit of excellence in their collective mission to safeguard communities.
Responsibility to Employers: This standard underscores a steadfast commitment to adhering to the directions set forth by employers, recognizing the importance of aligning individual efforts with the broader organizational goals. KEMA members prioritize the provision of relevant and timely information to employers, fostering transparent communication channels that are essential for effective decision-making. In addition, a central aspect of this responsibility involves actively promoting an ethical organizational culture. KEMA members strive to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism within their workplaces, contributing to an environment where ethical considerations are paramount. By adhering to these principles, KEMA members not only demonstrate their commitment to the success of their organizations but also play a pivotal role in shaping a workplace culture that values ethical conduct and excellence in emergency management.
Responsibility to the Profession: Advocacy for the profession stands at the forefront, as KEMA members actively champion the importance and relevance of emergency management in diverse contexts. Moreover, there is a dedicated emphasis on promoting diversity within the profession, recognizing the value that different perspectives and backgrounds bring to the field. KEMA members prioritize continuous development, engaging in ongoing learning and skill enhancement to stay abreast of evolving trends and best practices. Additionally, this responsibility extends to providing support for emerging professionals, fostering mentorship programs, and creating pathways for the next generation of leaders in emergency management. Through these concerted efforts, KEMA members contribute to the resilience and vibrancy of the profession, ensuring its sustained effectiveness in addressing the challenges of an ever-changing emergency management landscape.
Responsibility to Self: At the core of this standard is a dedication to lifelong learning, recognizing the dynamic and evolving nature of the emergency management landscape. KEMA members actively engage in continuous education, staying informed about emerging trends, methodologies, and technologies to enhance their professional expertise. Furthermore, this responsibility involves a deep-seated self-awareness of cultural biases, encouraging members to reflect on their perspectives and biases to ensure equitable and inclusive decision-making. Proactive changes in attitudes and approaches are embraced, fostering adaptability and resilience in the face of challenges. Equally important is the emphasis on self-care, recognizing that maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being is essential for sustained effectiveness in the demanding field of emergency management. Through these holistic commitments, KEMA members ensure not only their personal growth but also their capacity to contribute meaningfully to the resilience and safety of the communities they serve.

By integrating these professional standards, the Keystone Emergency Management Association aims to foster a culture of excellence, professionalism, and ethical conduct in the practice of emergency management. Members are expected to uphold these standards in their commitment to safeguarding lives and protecting property from the impact of disasters and emergencies.

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment:

The Keystone Emergency Management Association (KEMA) is committed to fostering an environment where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. KEMA recognizes the importance of creating a professional atmosphere that promotes equal opportunities and prohibits any form of discrimination and harassment. This policy is to ensure that all management staff, officers, directors, volunteers, members, and event attendees can actively participate in KEMA’s activities in an environment free from unlawful harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and other forms of inappropriate and offensive conduct.

These policies apply to all management staff, officers, directors, members, and volunteer members, including those attending and participating in KEMA events or conferences. Conduct prohibited by these policies is unacceptable in the association’s business, volunteer, or meeting environments.

Equal Participation Opportunity: It is the policy of KEMA to provide equal opportunity to participate as an officer, director, member, volunteer, or event attendee without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. KEMA strictly prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.
Harassment: Harassment on the basis of any other protected characteristic is strictly prohibited. Under this policy, harassment is verbal, written, or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of their protected characteristic. Harassing conduct includes epithets, slurs, threatening acts, denigrating jokes, and written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility.
Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment, constituting discrimination, is illegal under federal, state, and local laws. For the purposes of this policy, “sexual harassment” is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Such conduct includes but is not limited to unwanted sexual advances, sexual jokes, verbal abuse of a sexual nature, leering, whistling, insulting or obscene comments or gestures, and other physical, verbal, or visual conduct of a sexual nature.
Retaliation: KEMA encourages the reporting of all perceived incidents of discrimination or harassment. It is the policy of KEMA to promptly and thoroughly investigate such reports. KEMA prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports discrimination or harassment or participates in an investigation of such reports.

Reporting an Incident of Harassment, Discrimination, or Retaliation

KEMA encourages the reporting of all perceived incidents of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, regardless of the offender’s identity or position. Individuals who believe they have been the victim of such conduct should discuss their concerns with the KEMA President or the appropriate KEMA Area President.

Complaint Procedure: Individuals who believe they have been the victims of conduct prohibited by this policy or reasonably believe they have witnessed such conduct should discuss their concerns with the KEMA President, or their respective Area President. Upon review of the facts, KEMA President, or Area President shall refer the matter to the KEMA Executive Board for further consideration and action.

KEMA is committed to maintaining confidentiality throughout the investigatory process to the extent consistent with adequate investigation and appropriate corrective action.

Retaliation: Retaliation against an individual for reporting harassment or discrimination or for participating in an investigation of a claim of harassment or discrimination is a serious violation of this policy and will be subject to disciplinary action. Acts of retaliation should be reported immediately and will be promptly investigated and addressed.

Misconduct constituting harassment, discrimination, or retaliation will be dealt with appropriately, including but not limited to suspension or termination of KEMA membership, censure, removal from office, removal from a volunteer leadership position, or revocation or suspension of the privilege of attending or participating in KEMA events or activities. The decision of the Executive Board on such matters will be final.

False and malicious complaints of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation may be the subject of appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension or termination of membership, removal from office, removal from a volunteer leadership position, or revocation or suspension of the privilege of attending or participating in KEMA events or activities.