This is an article by David Formentini, an Article Out Loud from Domestic Preparedness, September 3, 2025.
Emergency management in Indigenous communities carries a unique spirit, one not always captured in the structured blueprints of conventional emergency operation centers. Learn how emergency managers can examine culturally appropriate emergency support and communication strategies to improve crisis response.
David Formentini
David Formentini has seven years of experience in crisis response, public safety coordination, and support for Indigenous communities. He currently serves as the superintendent of Emergency Management Services for the Cree School Board in Quebec, Canada, overseeing emergency preparedness and planning across nine remote communities. In 2021, he had the opportunity to work directly with 16 First Nation communities in British Columbia during one of the province’s most severe wildfire seasons. He was able to contribute to the emergency response and recovery planning efforts during the catastrophic flooding of Highway 8 in Merritt, British Columbia—assisting First Nation communities in evacuation coordination, emergency planning, and culturally informed response strategies. He holds a master’s degree in emergency and disaster management, a bachelor’s degree in policing, and multiple certifications in crisis intervention, emergency operations, and mental health. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in intelligence, with a research focus on emergency management gaps in Indigenous communities and the need for culturally sensitive practices.
