The field of emergency management offers significant challenges and rewards for those integrally involved in this area of public safety. Pursuing a degree program in emergency management can provide a thorough grounding in the key principles involved in dealing with disasters.
Resource: 20 Top Emergency Management Bachelor’s Degree Programs under $23,000 Average Net 2014
Here are five of the core themes to expect in a typical emergency management degree program curriculum.
Communications and Leadership
The ability to communicate clearly and effectively in an emergency situation is critical to ensure a fast and appropriate response from all agencies involved in remediation efforts. Students are typically required to demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral communications during their university studies. Additionally, the ability to take a leadership role when circumstances require it can be a real asset to students in the academic setting and in their later career pursuits. Coursework in the areas of communications and leadership is generally intended to prepare students to respond assertively and effectively in crisis situations and during the aftermath of these disasters.
Risk Assessment
Determining the most likely threats to public safety can be a challenging task. Students in emergency management programs are trained to assess risks and to establish methodologies that can identify new threats as they emerge in the local, regional and national landscapes. By maintaining awareness of homeland security issues, weather situations and other potential risks, emergency management personnel can take steps to warn the public and to set up a response plan with the appropriate government agencies and organizations. This can allow a greater degree of proactivity in disaster mitigation and can ensure the prompt delivery of information to the public when emergency situations occur.
Disaster Preparedness
Preparing for a disaster goes hand-in-hand with the risk assessment process and follows up with clear delineations of responsibility and assignment of tasks in the public safety arena. Coursework in disaster preparedness typically focuses on the practical aspects of warning and evacuating large populations, collaboration with state and federal agencies, ethical issues, search and rescue operations and remediation after the immediate threats have subsided. Some programs may require an internship or practicum in disaster preparedness for students seeking a degree in emergency management; other courses may be available entirely online to provide greater convenience for working adults in the university environment.
Logistics
A clear understanding of logistics is an absolute necessity for professionals in the emergency management field. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, logistics preparedness is one of the most critical elements in any disaster response plan. Time is of critical importance in disaster scenarios; a delay of just a few hours can make the difference between life and death for some victims. By considering the methods by which vital supplies and relief personnel can be delivered to areas affected by natural disasters or terrorist acts, individuals responsible for managing emergency mitigation activities can respond more quickly and effectively to these situations.
Response and Mitigation
After the immediate danger has passed, emergency management professionals are responsible for taking charge of the recovery and remediation process during the following weeks and months. This can involve moving stockpiles of food and water to areas affected by major natural disasters or terrorist attacks, establishing temporary housing shelters, providing emergency healthcare for those injured or otherwise endangered by conditions on the ground, creating a rebuilding plan and assessing the general level of damage caused by these events. Emergency management curricula typically include a number of core courses dedicated specifically to dealing with the aftermath of serious disasters and restoring normalcy for the affected areas as quickly as possible.
Pursuing a degree in emergency management can provide the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this field of public safety. By focusing on these five key areas, students can ensure that they are prepared to make a positive difference if and when disasters strike in their areas.
Additional Resource: Top 10 Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs