Emergency Management Specialist e-book

Emergency management specialists coordinate activities in response to disasters, such as ordering evacuations or opening public shelters.

They collaborate with other emergency response agencies in their jurisdiction, such as fire, police, emergency medical, and public works.

They must be familiar with any federal, state, or local regulations affecting emergency plans.

Emergency management specialists provide training in how to prepare effectively for disasters, so they must be able to instruct and communicate well.

They prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural, wartime, or technological disasters or hostage situations.

They must have knowledge of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency.

They must have the ability to evaluate a situation quickly and be decisive.

They must know the outcomes of previous emergency situations, so changes can be proposed, if needed.

Emergency management specialists work in a typical office environment the majority of the time, but must be prepared to work long hours in the event of an emergency or disaster.

Emergency management specialists work for the government at the local, state, or federal level.

Most emergency management specialists have a background in fire fighting, emergency medical services, or law enforcement. Most have a bachelor’s degree, and universities are beginning to offer degrees in emergency management.

Average income is approximately $48,000 per year, and overall employment in this area is expected to grow 7-13% in the next 10 years.