Fire service training, emergency management and public safety policy have been shaped by the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University, with impacts reaching communities across the United States and around the world.

From preparing firefighters to respond more safely and effectively to helping emergency managers strengthen disaster planning and community resilience, CEAT's research and expertise have influenced policies and practices that protect both responders and the public.

That tradition of advancing emergency preparedness has led to Dr. Tony McAleavy, associate professor in the School of Fire, Construction and Emergency Management, being named the USA Country Coordinator for the International Consortium for Societal Resilience (i-NCSR+). The 19-nation consortium brings together fire service professionals, emergency managers, researchers and academics to share best practices and develop guidance that strengthens resilience before, during and after disasters.

Through the consortium, university faculty, researchers, students and emergency management professionals will have access to global best practices, networking webinars, collaborative research opportunities and international partnerships focused on improving community resilience.

"It is an honor that reflects the prestige and reputation of our fire-related programs and faculty here at OSU," McAleavy said. "I am excited about the opportunity to engage with experts from across 19-member countries. For me, this initiative supports our global ambitions through societal resilience."

As the U.S. coordinator, McAleavy will share research and best practices developed in the United States, including work from OSU and other American universities. He will help connect U.S. emergency management and fire service professionals with international partners, facilitate webinars, support emerging work streams and encourage broader participation from American practitioners and researchers.

Among the consortium's priorities is leading development of the international ISO 22354 standard on local resilience capability, which is intended to help communities better prepare for, respond to and recover from disruptions. The standard addresses topics including resilience planning, community emergency hubs, spontaneous volunteer management and strengthening critical services that support vulnerable populations during emergencies.

McAleavy said building resilience requires communities to learn from one another because disasters rarely respect geographic boundaries.

"Resilience is a global issue given the interconnected and independent nature of modern society," he said. "Research is traditionally disseminated via academic journals, meaning that the impact can be limited to academia. The consortium provides a mechanism to bridge the gap between theory and practice through meaningful community impact."

This fall, McAleavy will lead a consortium webinar highlighting his research on the Competing Pressures Paradigm, a planning framework designed to help emergency and continuity managers balance the competing demands that shape disaster preparedness and emergency planning.

The framework identifies five key pressures — legal compliance, organizational alignment, managerial preferences, usability and the needs of humanity and society — and argues that effective emergency plans must account for each rather than emphasizing regulatory compliance alone.

By prioritizing practical decision-making alongside the needs of the people affected by disasters, the framework aims to improve emergency response, business continuity and resilience planning across public agencies, private industry and nonprofit organizations.

McAleavy's appointment also highlights the breadth of CEAT's impact in preparing professionals who protect communities. Through the School of Fire, Construction and Emergency Management, students gain exposure to international research and collaboration that complements their experience as firefighters, emergency managers and other public safety professionals.

"Over 95% of our students are experienced practitioners in related fields," McAleavy said. "Accessing consortium resources and interacting with global experts via the live webinars is a global learning initiative that enhances both their academics and their professional networks and aligns with OSU's global ambitions."