UNCW Emergency Manager Helps Strengthen Local Emergency Coordination

UNCW Emergency Manager Craig Harris is helping strengthen partnerships between the university and local emergency response organizations through service on the New Hanover Disaster Coalition Board, while also supporting the coalition's newly established command center designed to improve disaster response coordination across the region.

Appointed to the board in January 2026, Harris serves alongside community agencies and organizations focused on enhancing disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts throughout New Hanover County. The coalition works to identify gaps in services and connect residents in need with organizations and providers that can assist before, during and after emergencies, Harris said.

"My participation on the New Hanover Disaster Coalition Board provides an opportunity to strengthen and maintain relationships between UNCW and the local agencies and organizations responsible for emergency management and disaster response," he said. "Being involved in these conversations allows me to better understand regional capabilities, challenges and resources while also bringing the university's perspective to the table."

The board service creates opportunities that extend beyond emergency response operations. Through the coalition, UNCW can exchange information, training opportunities, lessons learned and best practices with community partners.

"The relationships developed through the coalition can improve coordination during emergencies and provide UNCW with a better understanding of how local response agencies operate," Harris said. "It also gives the university an opportunity to participate in broader preparedness initiatives and exercises that can strengthen our own emergency plans. Ultimately, the goal is to build relationships before an emergency occurs so that when an incident does happen, UNCW already has established connections and knows who to call and how to work together."

The new command center, located at Plaza on Princess at the Harrelson Center in Wilmington, will serve as a dedicated location for coordinating emergency response efforts among agencies and organizations across the region. Participating partners include New Hanover County Emergency Management, the City of Wilmington Emergency Management, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Raleigh Cape Fear Region, United Way of the Cape Fear Area and the Harrelson Center. The command center is believed to be the first emergency operations center of its kind in North Carolina built through a nonprofit and faith-based partnership.

"Effective emergency response requires more than individual agencies working independently. It requires the ability to share information, establish priorities, coordinate resources and make timely decisions,” Harris said. “A centralized command center provides the infrastructure and environment necessary to support that coordination."

The command center is expected to enhance regional preparedness, particularly in a coastal area that regularly faces threats from hurricanes, severe weather and flooding, Harris added.

"For UNCW, having a stronger regional command capability is particularly important because events such as hurricanes, severe weather, flooding and other emergencies do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries," they said. "The university is part of the larger New Hanover County community, and our ability to coordinate with local and regional partners is an important component of campus preparedness and resilience."

The importance of centralized emergency coordination became especially clear through firsthand disaster response experience.

"I saw firsthand the challenges of not having what the coalition is providing when I was deployed to Buncombe County to help with Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts," Harris said. " I'm very excited that our community had the foresight to recognize the value of having a central location that can be activated during an emergency to help coordinate response efforts and support the community."