The Emergency Management Association of Tennessee (EMAT) is a professional association open to all persons involved in the planning for, mitigation of, response to, and recovery from natural and man-made disasters in the state of Tennessee.  EMAT functions as a liaison among local, state, and federal governments and agencies for the purpose of promoting an organized and harmonious emergency management program. It promotes channels of communications, encouragement, and support for emergency management workers across the state. The association also fosters educational and training programs designed to increase the efficiency and capabilities of those engaged in emergency planning, mitigation, response and recovery efforts in Tennessee. Additional elements of the EMAT mission are:

• To promote adequate channels of communications and mutual aid for emergency management between the political subdivisions.
• To encourage, support, and assist industry in its participation of the emergency management effort in the State of Tennessee.
• To increase the awareness of the public, and especially persons in positions of responsibility, of the constant threat of natural or man-made disasters.
• To elevate and disseminate the experiences, judgments, and actions of those specialists trained in, and responsible for, emergency management activities.