Emily Setser, Disaster Preparedness Specialist

Tell us about yourself and your work at NOS.

My name is Emily Setser and I’m a disaster preparedness specialist in the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) Disaster Preparedness Program. Our team coordinates preparedness, response, and recovery operations and knowledge across NOAA to ensure that communities, economies, and natural resources can recover as quickly as possible from disasters or disruptions.

My duties are focused on continually evaluating and improving the program so that NOS and our partners can provide the best possible response when a disaster strikes. Following events or exercises, I coordinate reviews of our efforts to identify what went well, what could be improved upon, and develop corrective action plans if needed. This allows us to evaluate our performance, build our capacity to respond, and ensure NOS is as prepared as possible for the next disaster.

Tell us about your journey to where you are in your career.

I was always fascinated by the weather and knew I wanted to be a meteorologist after Hurricane Isabel swept across the east coast in 2003. I studied meteorology, and specialized in broadcasting and communications. Early in my career, I worked in broadcast meteorology where I covered major weather-related disasters, including Hurricane Michael in 2018 — the fourth category 5 hurricane to ever hit the continental United States. I really enjoyed tracking severe weather and sharing life-saving information to public audiences, and realized I wanted to work in the emergency preparedness field. I went back to school to get my masters in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which led me to my current position.

Who has influenced you or encouraged you?

My father played a large part in fostering my love of science and of the weather. We spent countless hours watching summer storms roll through Virginia and watching weather specials on TV. When I was seven-years-old, I told him I wanted to be a meteorologist and he encouraged me every step of the way. As a scientist himself, he gave me the courage to pursue my career path through meteorology, emergency management, and disaster preparedness.

If you could suggest one class or experience that inspired you in your career path, what would it be?

While completing my undergraduate degree, I took a natural hazards class and gained a deep understanding of natural disasters that I’ve relied on and built upon throughout my career. For those interested in pursuing a career in emergency management and preparedness, I recommend seeking out this type of course work.