Students enrolled in emergency management classes, with the intent to complete the degree, have the opportunity to explore a wide variety of incident command systems; learn about hospital preparedness; and become more familiar with response agencies at the federal, state and local levels. In order to complete the program, most emergency management students are required to research, write and submit a thesis project that correlates closely with the area of study.
Resource: Top 10 Online Emergency Management Degree Programs 2015
These are 5 research topics appropriate for emergency management students:
1. A critical analysis of the 2001 anthrax attacks
The anthrax attacks, often delivered via postal services, were traumatic events in 2001 shortly after the 9/11 attacks. Because the United States was still on high alert from that incident, new protocol was quickly established to handle anthrax and other forms of bioterrorism. These procedures, in hindsight, may not have been the most effective means for dealing with this calamity. An emergency management student could research the real-life situations and responses of the crisis teams in 2001, detailing how these incidents would be better handled in today’s society of improved and more experienced crisis teams.
2. Procedures specific for urban search and rescue
With terrorist attacks focused mainly on cities and with the density of populations and buildings in cities, urban searches and rescues can be complicated and difficult. Victims could be on the upper floors of tall buildings, trapped inside interior rooms or even along a side street or alley that is nearly impossible for rescuers to access. In most of these situations, time is of the utmost importance, so urban areas must have thorough and implementable plans of attack in the event of such an emergency. This project could research some cities’ plans and possibly propose changes to their current methods.
3. Humanitarian disaster relief
Many nations rely on humanitarian relief following natural disasters, such as a hurricane or drought. In these instances, there are often projects that raise funds and supplies, or sometimes the governments of more prosperous nations step in to provide aid. Sometimes the delivery is nearly impossible, often because of the state of the area after the disaster or because those who need the aid the most are not easily accessible. This research project could examine recent disasters that have required humanitarian relief by analyzing the process of obtaining supplies and physically delivering those items.
4. Personal preparedness for terrorism and disasters
Many people are unprepared should a natural disaster, or even an act of terrorism, come to them. While it is not necessary or practical for the average citizen to have a panic room or bomb shelter at his or her residence, there are steps that individuals can take to be more prepared if a disaster should occur. This research project could examine typical types of disasters and the provide protocol for the types of supplies people should have on hand and what their reactions should be during such a disaster.
5. Protocol for water rescues
Although not one of the most typical types of rescues, saving people from a river, lake or ocean can present many unusual obstacles. From the difficulty of locating a person who may be drowning or on a raft in the vast ocean to physically rescuing the person when another boat or a helicopter are the only options, water rescues require clear procedures in order to be successful. An emergency management student could research and create the best protocol for each of these situations, especially for a coastal town that may face the problem.
Students hoping to fulfill their requirements for a degree in emergency management will likely need to complete a thoroughly researched project. Although there are many different topics that will meet this requirement, especially dealing with disaster relief and national attacks, these are a few possibilities for the project.
Additional Resource: 50 Most Affordable Schools for an Emergency Management Degree 2015