Christine G. Springer, Ph.d.
Director
UNLV Executive Master of Science in Crisis and Emergency Management
July 2007 News

The profession of emergency management in the United States has reached a tipping point.  While there are still many part-time and volunteer emergency managers with little or no formal training in the field, the number of full-time, formally educated, highly trained emergency managers is growing rapidly.  A 2007 National Emergency Management Association survey found more state directors with masters degrees and also with higher salaries than ever before in the field.

When FEMA’s Higher Education Project was established in the 1990s to encourage the teaching of emergency management in colleges and universities, there were only three bachelor degree programs and two certificate programs in emergency management in the United States.  In 2006, there were 127 programs.   FEMA recognizes 11 Doctoral programs and 57 Masters programs in the field.

 The more capable agencies are in states and municipalities where public employment tends to be more professional and more accountable to the public.  California and North Carolina are good examples.  Nonetheless, in smaller communities, single, highly motivated emergency managers are also having a significant impact on capacities to address hazards and respond to disasters effectively. These managers save lives and property and enhance the quality of life for residents by focusing attention on risks and helping the community become more resilient.

The Certified Emergency Manager (CEM©) designation is the highest credential in the profession and is administered by the International Association of Emergency Managers with the support of FEMA.  To be designated a CEM, professional emergency managers must have broad work experience in the field and in an actual disaster or major disaster exercise.

They must also meet educational and training requirements, be active in the profession, and be able to demonstrate competency in all areas of emergency management (i.e., the “all-hazards” approach), as well as demonstrate basic competency in written communication.  Greater weight is being given to educational programs in emergency management. 

The CEM credential is required to meet the minimum requirements for senior-level emergency management positions in large city, county, and state agencies and in some private firms. 
An indicator of the maturation of the profession is the current effort to identify basic principles of emergency management and to educate officials and the public concerning the role of professional emergency managers.

 In March 2007, a roundtable convened at FEMA’s National Emergency Training Center produced a list of eight basic principles: 

• Comprehensive – emergency managers consider and take into account all hazards, all phases, all stakeholders and all impacts relevant to disasters.
• Progressive – emergency managers anticipate future disasters and take preventive and preparatory measures to build disaster-resistant and disaster- resilient communities.
• Integrated – emergency managers are responsible for ensuring to the highest possible degree of unity of effort among all levels of government and all elements of a community.
• Collaborative – emergency managers create and sustain broad and sincere relationships among individuals and organizations to encourage trust, advocate a team atmosphere, build consensus, and facilitate communication.
• Coordinated – emergency managers organize all relevant stakeholders with a common purpose.
• Flexible – emergency managers rely on creative and innovative approaches to solving disaster challenges. This is especially the case after disasters when predefined approaches may be inadequate to the situation at hand.
• Professional – emergency managers value a science and knowledge-based approach based on education, training, experience, ethical practice, public stewardship and continuous improvement.
• Risk-driven – emergency managers utilize sound risk management principles: hazard identification, risk analysis, and impact analysis.  Priorities and resources are assigned on the basis of this process.

The definition, mission, vision, and principles are being discussed within professional and academic communities with a final version expected in October, 2007.
           

Recent catastrophic disasters have demonstrated the need for professional emergency managers and demand is growing exponentially.  Professional education, training, experience, and motivation are at a premium.
             

More information on the ECEM program can be found online at http://urbanaffairs.unlv.edu/pubadmin/