Starting a Career in Emergency Management
A Guide to Opportunities for Future Emergency Managers
Oct 15, 2009
Tomorrow’s emergency managers have a wealth of resources available to them that were either not as widely available or as widely known to emergency management professionals just 10 years ago. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, put a spotlight on the importance of being prepared for all types of emergencies, and ensuring that the future workforce of emergency management professionals have the education and experience they need to excel in this field.
Practical, hands-on experience is just as important as a good education, and the following resources can provide anyone with valuable opportunities for starting a career in emergency management.
Emergency Management Institute’s Independent Study Program
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) Emergency Management Institute (EMI) provides free online training courses to U.S. residents. The courses cover a wide variety of topics within nine key areas:
- Incident management
- Operational planning
- Disaster logistics
- Emergency communications
- Service to disaster victims
- Continuity programs
- Public disaster communications
- Integrated preparedness
- Hazard mitigation
Following completion, students must take a final exam, and those who pass will receive a certificate of completion.
FEMA’s Emergency Management College List
On its website, FEMA’s EMI lists colleges and universities across the United States (and some in other countries, too) that offer degrees in emergency management and homeland security (with accompanying links to the schools’ websites). Also included are schools that offer programs in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance.
The programs are listed by subject area and degree (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s). The list also highlights institutions offering distance learning programs. The College List is provided only as a general resource for those interested in pursuing an education in emergency management or homeland security. EMI makes no recommendations about any of the programs, and acknowledges that the list may not be comprehensive.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Anyone can get free hands-on training in being an “amateur first responder” if he or she lives in a place that has a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT trains residents to be prepared for and respond to emergencies that they are likely to face in their community. Skills in fire safety, light search and rescue, triage, organization, and basic first aid are taught, with the goal of arming residents with the knowledge and skills to help others in an emergency should the residents witness or come upon an emergency scene before police, fire, or emergency medical teams arrive.
Residents who are trained with basic emergency response and safety skills and help out in the immediate aftermath of a disaster are less likely to be injured or die in that disaster than are untrained residents who may have good intentions but ultimately put themselves in harm’s way.
CERT members are also sometimes called upon to assist police or other community leaders at special events in their community, such as helping with crowd control or other tasks as needed.
CERT trainees must attend an eight-week course (classes held once a week) to receive their CERT certificate. Upon completion, residents participate in a response exercise (with assistance from the Fire Department) to test their newly acquired skills using a burn building and volunteers who play victims. The exercise serves as a “final exam” for trainees before they receive their certificate.
American Red Cross Disaster Action Team (DAT)
A person interested in emergency management should also consider volunteering as part of their local Red Cross chapter’s Disaster Action Team (DAT) to gain valuable experience and help their community at the same time. The DAT is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Volunteers can choose the hours and days they want to be on call, though most take night-time shifts from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.
The DAT may be called for any type of emergency, but house fires are the most common. DAT volunteers help victims with food, clothing, and shelter needs. DAT members must complete a variety of training courses and usually undergo a background check before being accepted onto the team. One should contact the local Red Cross chapter for more information.
A career in emergency management can be as rewarding as it is demanding. The educational and hands-on opportunities described above can give anyone – from the recent graduate to the seasoned professional – the tools and experience to succeed, and look impressive on any resume.
 |
