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With all that’s happening in the world right now, it’s no surprise that the interest in careers in emergency management has really ramped up.
In general, people are feeling more stressed and more worried about their safety than ever before. With the apparent rise in terrorism, gang violence, and even natural disasters as a result of climate change, there is a heightened interest in preparedness.
This is where a career in emergency management is really important, and why getting a career in emergency management could be for you.
To help you decide whether a career in emergency management is for you, we’ve gathered the key talking points and distilled them into this article.
If you want to learn about and research careers in emergency management or if you’re considering taking an emergency management diploma, this article will hopefully answer a number of frequently asked questions.
What Is An Emergency Management Career?
There isn’t really a consensus on the definition of emergency management.
While FEMA and other federal agencies usually talk about emergency management in terms of response, recovery, and preparedness, local and state emergency management departments often talk about preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. This is because they are interested in issues on a more immediate level than the federal government is.
Emergency Management Is A Broad Field
Depending on who you talk to, emergency management can include anything from disaster preparedness to firefighting to disaster relief.
Emergency management is the art and science of preventing and mitigating risks to human well-being and property. It is a collaborative process involving all government levels, non-governmental organizations, volunteer groups, and private industry to prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate major emergencies.
There are dozens of federal agencies that play a role in emergency management. Most focus on either prevention or response. There are also state and local government agencies, such as the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), which takes on some duties of federal agencies.
There Are A Lot Of Things That Emergency Managers Do
Nobody really thinks of emergency management in terms of one thing that they’re doing, but there are a lot of different things that emergency managers do, including:
Preparedness — This includes all sorts of activities and projects that prepare for disasters and emergencies by building and maintaining the physical infrastructure and public safety systems that will be necessary. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working on a comprehensive list of different things that emergency management can include.
Recovery — Recovery includes all the activities and projects that help people and communities get back to normal life after a disaster has occurred. This might include getting people back into their homes if their home was destroyed by a tornado or helping people get food and water if they were evacuated due to a wildfire. Most states have programs that help recover from medical emergencies.
Mitigation — This is the process of reducing or eliminating risks such as natural disasters, terrorism, and crime so that they are not realized in the first place.
Why Is Emergency Management an Important Topic Right Now?
The challenge now is to find ways to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, the unexpected, and the challenges of climate change.
It doesn’t matter whether or not you believe in climate change or whether it’s caused by human activity. Climate change is happening, and trying to stop it now will be more difficult than it has ever been. It is no longer a debate about science or politics but rather how we best manage the risk of calamity once it hits us.
There Is A National Movement To Prepare Better For Natural Disasters
This is a very important movement that is taking place in the United States. It’s called disaster resilience, and it’s all about preparing for the consequences of a natural disaster so that you can minimize the impact of a disaster on your organization.
Disaster resilience covers a wide range of topics, from the physical infrastructure and the emergency response systems that you have in place to ensure that your personnel is trained to handle a variety of situations. Most states have implemented disaster plans for various levels of disasters.
The federal government is also promoting disaster resilience through grants and programs, such as the National Disaster Resilience Competition.
These organizations help people prepare for disasters and emergencies by reporting on what’s going on in the world, educating people about how to prepare for an emergency, and helping people prepare.
Who Is Best Suited To Work In Emergency Management?
Emergency managers are often called upon to use their inclusive leadership training skills to ensure that the emergency response is coordinated and effective. They’re able to handle a variety of tasks, including:
- Training others in emergency management technology and program management
- Managing energy production and distribution during an emergency situation
- Managing food production during an emergency situation
- Managing the financial aspects of the crisis (including insurance, access to funds, etc.)
If you’re thinking of getting involved in emergency management, you should be aware of the skills that are looked for by hiring agencies. Employers are generally looking for:
- People who want to save lives
- People who want to help people
- People who love to be prepared for the unexpected
Conclusion
Emergency management is a vast field that many people don’t think about. That being said, it is a priority for the federal government and state and local governments. Many organizations have been set up to help people prepare for disasters and also to help them recover from major incidents, such as hurricanes or floods.
It’s not unusual to see people with skills in different areas of the field being hired by different organizations. If you’re looking for a new career opportunity, consider the amount of preparation that would be required if you were going through an emergency or disaster situation.
It’s a fascinating field with a variety of different jobs and challenges. It’s an excellent field to consider if you’re looking for a new career. It can be pretty rewarding to help prevent disasters and help people recover from disasters.
