Centering racial justice in the US emergency response framework

The United States emergency response framework is crucial for safeguarding public safety and well-being during times of crises, be it natural disasters or public health emergencies. Nevertheless, racial inequities persistently undermine the efficacy of the US federal emergency response system as communities of color shoulder an undue share of the emergency burden, confronting heightened vulnerability, restricted access to resources, and deficient support systems. The heart of the issue lies in the failure of the US emergency response framework to adequately address and rectify systemic disparities, perpetuating historic and ongoing social, economic, and environmental racism. This inability to grapple with pre-existing inequities privileges Whites and further marginalizes racial and ethnic minorities during times of crisis. Left unaddressed, systemic racial inequalities in resource allocation, relief efforts, and decision-making processes heighten the vulnerability of communities of color, imposing a disproportionate burden during emergencies. Seminal moments, like Hurricane Katrina, became catalysts for public health responders to recognize and address racial disparities in emergency response. More recent instances, including Hurricane Harvey as well as the H1N1 and COVID-19 pandemics, underscore the persistent challenges faced by marginalized communities, revealing ongoing disparities in mortality rates and access to life-saving resources. Furthermore, two significant strategies of the US emergency response framework reproduce racial inequalities during disasters—data-driven decision-making and utilitarianism. Decision-makers often analyze large datasets and rely on statistical models to identify areas of need, allocate resources, and prioritize interventions. Data-driven decision-making is seen as an objective and efficient method that allows for evidence-based choices. The assumption is that by incorporating various social variables—including race—into algorithms and tools like the Social Vulnerability Index, decision-makers can account for social inequities and tailor responses to meet the specific needs of different communities.