Taking a close look at the details of five unusual careers in the emergency management field is an excellent way to get an idea of what you’d like to do. If you’re an organized, logical person with excellent judgement and leadership skills, you’re an ideal candidate for a career in managing emergencies. Check out a brief description of five unusual careers in this rewarding field of work.
Resource: Top 10 Emergency Management Bachelor’s Degrees Online 2016-2017
1. An Emergency Dispatcher
This kind of dispatcher answers calls from individuals in need of assistance due to a fire, medical emergency, shooting or other calamity. Some of the job responsibilities include answering several phone lines, communicating with police and others via radio and prioritizing emergency situations. The work environment for this job is a call center where there may be other dispatchers doing the same type of work. Patience and the ability to stay calm while talking to frantic callers are two essential qualities for this type of occupation. A dispatcher must be ready for any situation that occurs.
2. A Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator
A hospital emergency preparedness administrator is responsible for creating plans that allow a hospital to respond to a large number of patients arriving at the facility in a short amount of time. This may be due to a flood, an electrical blackout, a large fire or a hostage situation. The professional in this position must work out the details of the plan so that every contingency is covered. The administrator’s plan prevents a hospital or other medical facility from being overwhelmed by the number of incoming victims who need medical assistance and other services.
3. Homeland Security Officer
When you choose the unusual career of homeland security officer, you take on a variety of responsibilities. Some officers secure the borders of our country to protect citizens from harm. Other officers help to create plans to prevent cyberattacks as well as monitor and intercept any other threats made against the country. A homeland security officer is always looking for ways to prevent any type of attack. This officer must be loyal to our country, organized and a good communicator. Some homeland security officers take management positions giving them the opportunity to earn a higher salary.
4. A Disaster Management Specialist
A disaster management specialist is responsible for making a response plan in the event of a flood, tornado, earthquake and other similar events. The purpose of the response plan is to reduce loss of life as well as property in the affected areas. Once a disaster management specialist makes a plan, he or she trains police and other first responders so they can put the plan into action. This specialist also informs the public regarding the plan and their part in it. Any plan this specialist makes must comply with city, state and federal laws.
5. An Emergency Medical Technician
The job of an emergency medical technician, also known as an EMT, is to respond to emergencies of all kinds within a particular city, town, county or area. An EMT may answer a call to provide medical assistance to someone who is having a heart attack, stroke or seizure. Or, an EMT may answer a call to help someone who has suffered an injury. No two days are the same in the life of an EMT. This is a career for someone who works well under pressure and likes to deal with a variety of emergency situations.
These are just a few examples of the types of occupations you can do in this growing area of work. Consider these five unusual careers in the emergency management field to help you plan the path to your future.