Miller, ToddDé, Loic LeHore, Katherine2025-02-242025-02-242025-03International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, ISSN: 2212-4209 (Print), Elsevier BV, 119, 105323-105323. doi: 10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.1053232212-4209http://hdl.handle.net/10292/18764Disaster and Emergency Management (DEM) systems are increasingly challenged by the complexity and interconnectedness of today's DEM environment. While rigid, phased-based approaches to DEM provide valuable structural frameworks, they often fail in addressing the dynamic, non-linear, and unpredictable nature of contemporary disasters. This paper critically examines key challenges in DEM, including non-linearity, complexity, and the coordination of diverse actors and organisations. It advocates for a shift towards adaptive, interconnected systems that better align with the realities of complex disasters. To this end, the paper introduces the Complex Adaptive DEM (CADEM) Framework, a new conceptual framework grounded in Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory. This framework emphasises decentralised decision-making, interorganisational collaboration, and emergent behaviours as mechanisms to enhance the adaptability and resilience of DEM systems. By reframing DEM as a networked and adaptive system, CADEM provides a pathway for navigating the multifaceted challenges of contemporary disasters.© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/0502 Environmental Science and Management1117 Public Health and Health Services1604 Human Geography4404 Development studies4406 Human geographyJournal ArticleOpenAccess10.1016/j.ijdrr.2025.105323