In the event of a hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster, immediate activation of the local public health agency (LPHA) emergency preparedness system is crucial. The workforce at the LPHA is essential for locally-driven disaster recovery efforts as they are responsible for coordinating a large number of health services. Each individual employee must perform their job quickly and efficiently. But in the face of an emergency, when stress levels and emotions are running high, how do we know that LPHA employees are able to do their jobs effectively? Perhaps they are overcome with fear and are responding with denial or avoidance. Do employees perceive that they perform their jobs well and that they are effective in helping people? What could the LPHA do to increase employees’ motivation to do their jobs well and improve the effectiveness of disaster response efforts?