How Do I Become an Emergency Management Specialist? – Emergency Management Degree Program Guide

September 3, 2019

Understanding how to become an emergency management specialist sets a person up for a personally and professionally satisfying career. An emergency management specialist is responsible for preparing and practicing plans and procedures for a wide range of man-made and natural disasters and emergencies that affect a community or region. By coordinating with nonprofits, governmental agencies and other professionals, they help ensure the safety of residents during and after a catastrophic event.

Education

The first step of how to become an emergency management specialist is to earn the right type of education. Most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in a field such as public administration, accounting, finance, emergency management or public health. An emergency management specialist who works for a private company may be able to get into this type of job with a degree in information technology, communications, infrastructure management or information systems administration. A person who has a high school diploma or associates degree might be able to work their way into an emergency management specialist job if they have a lot of work experience in relevant positions.

Certifications, Licenses and Registrations

Some states or employers require an emergency management specialist to have a specific type of registration, license or certification. Some common requirements include a certified emergency manager certificate. This certificate has to be renewed every five years. Another option is a certified business continuity professional. This registration has to be renewed every two years. Private entities issue these certifications, and the process requires a course, exam, and fee for the student.

Work Experience

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an emergency management specialist will need at least five years of relevant work experience in order to obtain a director, management, or specialist position. Those years of experience could be in public administration, disaster planning or emergency response. Some places where that work experience could be earned include the military, law enforcement, fire safety or another type of emergency response services. The right work experience ensures that the specialist will be able to continue working in times of extreme stress and in difficult weather or environmental conditions.

Hone These Skills

A person who wants to be a successful emergency management specialist should also have specific skills that are suited to the job. One such skill is excellent written and oral communication. The specialist will have to communicate emergency procedures and plans to the public as well as people in all areas and levels of government. Another essential skill for an emergency management specialist is critical thinking. All types of hazards could happen during or after an emergency, and the specialist must be able to anticipate them and be able to take quick action. An emergency management specialist should also be skilled in making decisions. This includes analyzing the costs and benefits of different decisions and making a decision in a timely manner. They also need to communicate their decision to others.

Emergency management specialists also need to maintain their credentials. Some employers might require current certification in first aid and CPR, and continued learning in subjects such as GIS and communications will be important for these professionals. Knowing the answer to “How do I become an emergency management specialist?” could help a person plan their future career path.