The Federal Emergency Management Agency, often called FEMA, is responsible for relief and coordination of services after disasters, whether natural or man-made. FEMA employs over 7,000 people across the country for a variety of operations. Full-time, part-time and volunteer positions are available in a number of areas of the country. A number of different types of related degrees are helpful if you are interested in working for this organization.
Degree in Emergency Management
Because FEMA’s fundamental purpose is to aid communities after disaster, people who are trained in all facets of emergency management operations are critical to the many tasks that FEMA undertakes. An emergency management degree prepares people for the broad range of problems the FEMA normally encounters when caring for people in areas hit by floods, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes and other disasters. Procurement, supply, transportation, logistics, environmental damage, coordination of healthcare, personnel training, management and response procedures are all skills that are valuable for FEMA operations. In addition, emergency management degree students are trained in computer operations, public speaking, sociology and other areas that provide a useful background for emergency functions.
Emergency management degrees are not available widely, but more universities are beginning to add this degree program their courses studies. Completing the degree usually includes an internship working with other emergency management professionals in the field. Additionally, volunteer positions help those interested in emergency management careers to get the practical experience needed to acquire positions in organizations such as FEMA.
Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering
Civil and structural engineering degrees are helpful for FEMA workers who are involved in determining the safety of buildings that have experienced damage in disaster zones. These workers are responsible for assessing roof safety, water damage, pipeline breaks, flood control and other factors that affect the structural integrity of homes, commercial buildings, bridges and other items in the area. Assessment teams may work in hazardous circumstances where their background and training is critical to their own safety, the safety of members of the community and other relief workers.
Degree in Environmental Health
People with a degree in environmental health are important to FEMA’s activities in determining the safety of water sources, oil spills, flood waters and mold problems that often occur during natural disasters. Backgrounds in microbiology, chemistry and other areas of environmental analysis help the agency to determine risk factors for the public and monitor conditions so that people can return safely to their homes and commercial properties. Environmental health workers can also help to restore communities to a livable condition after disaster strikes.
Working with FEMA can be a rewarding experience on many levels. Many types of positions are available for those who are interested in serving communities in this manner. However, many of the positions offer work for only for a part of the year and require the applicant have sufficient financial resources to accommodate this type of employment.