Emergency management is a field of study that looks at how a natural disaster and other types of disaster impact people and can include looking at the psychological effects of those situations. These degrees are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and some of those who enroll are police officers and firefighters who want to prepare themselves for working in emergency situations. You may want to look at how you can earn a degree and some of the things that these workers do on the job before deciding on this career path.
Management Degrees
One of the first things you need to decide on is the type of program you will enroll in, which determines whether you complete a lower degree like an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or whether you go to graduate school. Associate’s degree programs are two-year programs that are best for those who already work in an emergency field like law enforcement. Some government organizations that hire professionals want those with a graduate degree. FEMA is just one department that hires new workers every year that prefers workers with a higher degree.
Resource: 50 Most Affordable Schools for an Emergency Management Degree 2015
Job Duties
Though you may imagine yourself flying around the world to help those in need, most of those working in emergency fields spend more time working in an office. They do research and come up with relief plans that they then share with others. You might spend a large portion of time visiting cities in your state, prepping them for future problems and going over the basics of how local government offices can keep their cities and residents safe. FEMA and other agencies also hire professionals willing to aid relief organizations in the case of a serious issue like a tsunami or tornado.
Working with Victims
Depending on the type of job you do, you may need to work directly with victims. Some emergency management training programs offer classes on the psychological effects of these situations that can help you better understand how to work with those victims. These classes teach you about the signs of shock, which can prevent a victim from speaking to you clearly or interacting with those around them. You’ll also learn how to help those victims in the days and weeks after the event, including how to secure shelter, provide them with food and work with other organizations to supply victims with clean clothing and counseling.
Other Things to Know
Management careers in this field are among the most stressful careers. You must have good stress management skills and the ability to work in potentially dangerous areas. Some students may find that the average salary in this profession is not worthwhile when compared to the stress. According to U.S. News & World Report, the average salary is around $53,000 a year. It also found that those living in Rhode Island, California and Massachusetts make the most money and that those in California can make more than $70,000 a year.
Relief organizations send workers out into the field to help victims after a hurricane, tornado or other event. They ensure that victims have access to food, water, clothing, shelter and even counseling. Some of the emergency management programs available today include classes that look at the psychological effects of disaster situations to teach you how to more effectively work with the victims you encounter in the field.