1. FEMA – Emergency Management Institute Higher Education Conference Professional Emergency Managers Plenary Panel June 9, 2004 Sally M. Ziolkowski, Director Mitigation Division DHS/FEMA Region IX

2. 2 Theme and Key Issues  Professional Emergency Managers as exemplary practitioners to discuss their recommendations on core emergency management competencies and curricula.  Identify what FEMA Region IX looks for in a new employee.

3. 3 Formal Educational Programs Emergency ManagementGeography/Geology Accounting/BusinessPolitical Science EngineeringPublic Policy Environmental StudiesEducation EconomicsUrban Planning Computer SciencePsychology Foreign LanguagesWorld/English Literature

4. 4 Personal Traits and Skills In a professional office and emergency management field environment these personal skills and abilities need to be demonstrated: Critical ThinkingProblem Solving Values, Ethics, Sound JudgmentCalculated Risk-Taking Responsible, Commitment to TaskSelf-Discipline Resourceful, Curious, FlexibleTeamwork for Projects/Program Self-Confidence, PresenceWorld (travel/people) Experiences Look you in the eye and Sensitivities Firm handshakeOpen Minded, Eager to Learn Articulate speech

5. 5 Business Practice Knowledge and Abilities In an office environment, the potential for understanding and developing expertise in these areas is essential: Communication – Written and oral in a logical, concise and persuasive style Outreach and Coordination - Political astuteness among colleagues and customers Financial/Accounting – Project analysis and grants management Computer Program Skills – System/data base application and work tools Public Administration/Political Science – Functions of state and local governments Urban/Land Use Planning – Floodplain management, environmental studies and compliance, and legal research

6. 6 Initial FEMA Specific Training National Response Plan/ Federal Response Incident Command System Strategic Planning & Performance Measures Evolution of Emergency Management – Civil Defense Program Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment necessary for creating Disaster Resistant Communities