Overlooked responders: Addressing the overlooked role of nonuniformed responders in emergency management.

This article focuses on the overlooked role and experiences of nonuniformed responders—such as construction, utility, transportation, and sanitation workers—in emergency management, using the World Trade Center (WTC) 9/11 rescue and recovery as a case study. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 26 key informants knowledgeable about these responders, the study highlights that nonuniformed responders felt systematically invisible and disenfranchised, facing greater mental health challenges and barriers to accessing benefits compared to uniformed personnel. The findings emphasize the need for emergency preparedness policies to better anticipate safety risks, provide equitable workplace supports, and ensure access to health resources and compensation for all responder types, including marginalized and temporary workers. These insights aim to inform future emergency management planning by recognizing and addressing the unique vulnerabilities of nonuniformed responders.