Environmental Health degrees include course work that specifically covers aspects of environmental changes related to the health of the people living in those conditions. Specific courses of study that are covered in an environmental health curriculum include biology and chemistry sciences and will likely also include Rural Public Health Systems, Epidemiology, Environmental Toxicology, Biostatistics and Occupational and Environmental Disease. There are several careers that a graduate with a degree in environmental health may want to consider pursuing if they are interested in a career in emergency management.
Emergency Management Specialist
According to the US News, Emergency management specialists create plans for emergency situations such as a major fires, tornados, hurricanes, floods, oil spills, power plant pollution situations or any other situation that involves public hazards. These specialists could work with either federal agencies such as FEMA or the EPA, or local emergency agencies or hospitals, or even for private entities. Whenever a potentially harmful substance or disease may be present or require special handling or planning, an emergency management specialist will develop a plan to contain it and find a solution to eradicate it. A degree in environmental health or science prepares you to tackle emergencies that involve dangerous chemicals or other hazardous materials.
Toxicologist
Toxicologists study specific toxins and other agents that could be present in certain geographical areas and ecosystems. They examine them to find out what the potential harm of those substances might be if they are released into the atmosphere. They also figure out ways to use chemicals safely or in ways that will not harm the environment. The studies done by toxicologists are often used to discover new risks that might be present with different kinds of chemicals such as cleaning chemicals or other industrial products and what government regulations need to be put in place for using them.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers are similar to toxicologists in that their work also can involve examining chemicals and the potential harm that they might cause in the case of an accident or spill. Environmental engineers also help develop plans to recover water that’s been contaminated, or areas where chemical spills have occurred and what the necessary steps are to clean up those areas. Environmental engineers also help to devise plans for recycling and other pollution and bio hazard control systems.
In conclusion, all of these environmental safety careers are important in the aftermath and recovery in an emergency situation or natural disaster. While there are other careers in this field, some of which may only require an associate’s degree or less, many emergency situations will need individuals who have an extensive knowledge of environmental health and procedures in relation to ecosystems. Employment in some of these fields is expected to grow by as much as 22% in the next 10 years.