Emergency management graduates have always fulfilled important roles, but they’ve been in especially high demand since the early 2000s. Today’s increased focus on preparedness means that emergency management professionals remain highly sought after for their ability to manage and allocate vital resources in the wake of terrorist attacks, natural disasters and other events. Emergency management jobs are highly varied, and many degree holders chart their own unique employment paths, but the following common careers may be of interest to anyone who wants to get into this essential field.
Resource: Top 10 Best Online Emergency Management Degree Programs
Emergency Management Specialist
Whereas many emergency responders, such as police, firefighters and EMS personnel, take direct action on the ground, emergency management specialists typically work behind the scenes. Their main job is to coordinate with officials and responders to ensure that they can correctly analyze damage after an incident and act appropriately to minimize negative outcomes.
Emergency management specialists may also perform training or delegate tasks as they oversee what goes on during a disaster. Many order evacuations, open shelter facilities and devise new response programs for high-risk zones. These professionals need to have a high stress tolerance, and it may help if they’re familiar with other emergency work, such as wartime triage, hazardous spill cleanup and evacuation planning.
Emergency Management Director
In addition to providing responders and others with direction during crisis situations, these high-level specialists perform disaster readiness training and create response plans. Because they may have to act as intermediaries between industrial entities, municipal governments and federal agencies, they require good organization and communication skills.
This position is typically filled by people who have prior experience as specialists or other emergency management professionals. Directors may possess a range of job titles based on their specializations.
Emergency Management Consultant
Emergency management consultants perform many of the same functions as emergency management specialists and directors. The main difference lies in the fact that they’re often called in by companies and municipal bodies that require assistance or fresh outsider perspectives on the suitability of their existing disaster plans.
Consultants may enjoy a much greater degree of schedule flexibility than some other professionals, but the demanding nature of the problems they address typically means they work long hours on tough projects. Some hold temporary positions with different entities at their own discretion, while others work for consulting firms.
Procurement Manager
Procurement managers ensure that municipalities and companies possess the correct resources to respond to disasters. They may work closely with emergency management specialists to fulfill orders for medical supplies, vehicles and other tools.
Although procurement managers commonly work in special procurement offices or warehouses, their jobs are anything but slow. When they serve state preparedness teams, these individuals face constant demands to supply first responders and maintain well-supervised stock facilities, so they require motivation and the ability to work unsupervised.
Emergency Management Instructor
Instructors teach responders and organizations how to properly handle disasters. In addition to providing and following approved lesson plans, these individuals may have to devise courses that address unique organizational requirements.
Instructors often work irregular hours, but they may find themselves in high demand following specific disaster incidents. Many successful instructors use their personal experiences as emergency management specialists and directors to help them impart more relevant lessons in the classroom.
Pursuing an emergency management degree lets people support the police, firefighters, and other professionals who respond to disasters. This field is growing as more private-sector entities recognize the need for appropriate emergency management, so degree holders have a growing array of career options.
Additional Reading: 20 Top Emergency Management Bachelor’s Degree Programs under $23,000 Average Net