I-DIEM’s HERricane program transforms lives beyond direct participants by empowering women in emergency management, challenging traditional narratives, and creating systemic change through education, mentorship, and advocacy.
We are currently seeking hosts in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
Click below to register your interest to host in 2026!
HERricane develops and elevates women as leaders in emergency management while raising awareness of the profession and its interdisciplinary fields.
Through meaningful place-based and immersive hands-on experiences, we’re building the next generation of resilient communities one leader at a time.
Yet women make up less than 35% of Emergency Management leadership in the United States. HERricane provides young women with a platform to explore careers in emergency management and learn about preparedness to make themselves, their families, and their communities more resilient.
Emergency management remains largely unseen by the public despite its growing job market and critical role in addressing climate challenges. Women’s unique perspectives are essential for creating inclusive response strategies that effectively serve all community members, especially those most vulnerable during disasters.
Our program follows an
EXPLORE → CONNECT → DEVELOP
Journey that builds competence and confidence. Participants explore emergency management through immersive experiences, connect with mentors and peers to build their professional network, and develop specialized skills that prepare them for leadership roles in creating resilient communities.
Hands-on exploration of emergency operations centers and local community
Direct guidance from women leaders in emergency management
Practical skills development through real-world scenarios
Exposure to diverse career paths within the emergency management field
Understanding the intersection of disasters, climate, and social equity
Learning to create and implement community preparedness strategies
As a HERricane host, you’ll provide both the physical space and leadership that brings our program to life. Hosts supervise activities, facilitate curriculum, manage operations, and build vital community connections.
Demonstrate your commitment to building resilient communities
Elevate your organization’s visibility
Strengthen community partnerships
Identify future talent
Showcase your team’s expertise
Implement customized programming tailored to your community’s needs
Interested in learning more about how to become a HERricane host? Fill out our Host Interest Form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon!
By empowering women in emergency management, we strengthen entire communities’ resilience capacity.
Each young woman who participants in the HERricane program influences dozens of others through her leadership and example.
Today’s participants become tomorrow’s leaders who will protect vulnerable populations
We’re building a pipeline of diverse and engaged talent for a critical and growing field
When disasters strike, communities need leaders who understand both the science and the human impact. HERricane gives you hands-on experience, professional connections, and leadership skills to become that crucial force. Join us to discover how your unique perspective can save lives and transform emergency management.
Learn from the professionals and use real equipment to assess environmental hazards and monitor changing conditions. Get hands-on experience with weather monitoring tools, water testing kits, mapping technology, and emergency communication systems used during actual disaster responses.
In 2024, I-DIEM hosted four HERricane programs nationwide, elevating young women across the United States. Participants gained hands-on experience with environmental monitoring equipment, toured emergency operations centers, learned emergency response skills, and connected with mentors from FEMA, NOAA, and local agencies. Through community partnerships with local organizations and government agencies, we’ve created sustainable pathways for program graduates to access internships, mentorship, and further training opportunities.
I-DIEM’s HERricane season kicked off June 24th in American Samoa. Hosted by the Pacific Center in Human Security at American Samoa Community College, this was the first HERricane program held outside of the continental United States.
2024 featured exclusive screenings of I-DIEM’s award-winning documentary, Muted: Climate Marginalization in America, which exposes the realities faced by America’s forgotten rural communities in the face of climate change and disaster.
The 2024 I-DIEM HERricane program featured 10 field trips including the NOAA field station at Tula, American Samoa; City of Annapolis Office of Emergency Management; the FDNY Operations Center; and the University of Missouri.
The 2024 I-DIEM HERricane program featured participation from local, state, and federal emergency managers, providing participants with diverse perspectives on disaster response coordination across all government levels.
