Episode 7: Forecasting the Future of Emergency Management with Ashley Morris
Ashley Morris, CEM, calls herself a “weather nerd” — and we love that about her!
From counting seconds between thunder and lightning as a child, to earning degrees in meteorology, to leading emergency management outreach in one of the country’s most dynamic regions, Ashley has built a career at the intersection of science, safety, and community.
In this episode, Ashley shares her journey from meteorology into emergency management, the lessons she took from disasters like the 2011 tornadoes, and why she believes visibility and continuous learning are critical to advancing the field. We also dive into her leadership philosophy, her passion for mentorship, and her PhD research on weather literacy in EM — work that could shape training standards for years to come. It’s a conversation about passion, purpose, and the future of emergency management, told through the lens of someone who truly lives it every day.
About Ashley Morris
I have a huge passion for incorporating the science of meteorology into the applicable field of emergency management. There is a need to bridge the gap between meteorology and emergency management to enhance disaster preparedness and decision-making in communities. My long-term career goal is to bring forth my multidisciplinary background of atmospheric science, natural hazards, GIS mapping, social media, and social vulnerability research to help positively impact the EM field. I am also extremely passionate about the implementation of research into practitioner emergency management strategy.
At the heart of my enthusiasm for emergency management is the idea that community is key. I use this catchphrase as a mantra that touches every task I complete as an emergency manager. Without community engagement, trust, and participation, many of our emergency management actions will not be successful. Public outreach, community engagement, and social media campaigns are a priority in my weekly emergency management duties. I am also very fervent about crisis communication and best practice methodology, especially involving notification systems and social media. It is important that information during emergencies and disasters is transferred from agency to resident and from resident to agency. This can only be done through effective technology use.
I received my IAEM Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential in 2022, Maryland Professional Emergency Management (MDPEMP) credential in 2023, and recently graduated from the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA) in August 2023. I was listed on the 2021 IAEM Region III “40 Professionals Under 40” list. I am active in two Type III IMTs: Maryland IMT and NCR IMT. With a mission to bridge meteorology and emergency management, I am a member and/or participant of several meteorological and EM associations and conferences (AMS, NWA, IAEM, NEMA, MDEMA). I have coordinated many weather-oriented programs and initiatives, such as Weather Ready Nation Ambassadors, StormReady, SKYWARN, and Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST).
I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Emergency Management Administration from Oklahoma State University. I received my master's in geography with an emphasis in natural hazards from Texas Tech University in 2016. My research work was titled "An Investigation of Social Vulnerability and Storm Resource Availability for Tornado Hazards in Lubbock, Texas." My undergraduate work dabbled in geophysics and atmospheric science at Texas Tech University.