Best Careers: Emergency Management Specialist

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Disaster internships are hard to find. Living in Delaware is quite different than living in Florida. There are disasters eitherway just different types. I am having the same issues of looking for internships that I am interested in. I already do EMS and Fire Fighting. Those are everyday things for me. I want the job that may make that next impact. I have just joined the American Red Cross with the hopes of one more window to look out of. I have taken FEMA class after FEMA class to be prepared. I am part of our hometown CERT team for when the issue strikes. Good luck to everyone in their search. If I come across something I will be glad to post it here for you.

Christie Ray of DE 2:35PM February 06, 2011

go to the FEMA website and look for the IS 700A course. Pass the course and you get a certificate. There are many other courses you may take on your own through FEMA.

Christie Ray of DE 2:28PM February 06, 2011

Problem with the Emergency Mgmt Specialist position: the demand in this employment field was related to the upward tick in natural disasters that occurred over the last ten years. Eventually, most citizens are going to realize that having a highly paid person sitting around for a 10, maybe 50-year frequency event makes no fiscal sense. Solution: Cross-train fire dept personnel & police dept management to be able to handle these emergencies when they arise....

Gator87 of FL 8:22PM January 21, 2011

New DOD regulations mandate the implementation of NIMS/ICS and an All-Hazards approach for installation emergency management.
There are some limitations due to Commanders always maintain control of their personnel and assets but it helps with understanding/working with civilian counterparts.
When it concerns mutual aid NIMS typing of resources also assists with deploying mutual aid resources.

Jose of UT 5:43PM January 19, 2011

I am in my first year of a Masters in Public Health program at Drexel University. My end goal is to work in disaster management/preparedness at the national level (working for FEMA would be my dream job). I was an undergraduate student at Tulane University in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit, and I had the pleasure of being on vacation in the Dominican Republic when the Haitian Earthquake happened, so I have my personal reasons for believing in and wanting to be a part of disaster preparedness efforts. I am hoping to obtain an internship for summer 2011, but am running into many roadblocks, as far as finding something that is along the lines of what I want to do. Does anyone know of any good summer internship programs that focus on disaster management/preparedness? It doesn't matter where the internship is, as I am willing to leave Philadelphia for the summer to gain the valuable experience. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Jen of PA 11:42AM January 06, 2011

Actually the federal government does follow NIMS and ICS. In fact, it's a job requirement for all FEMA employees to have basic training in NIMS/ICS.

Cat of CA 7:40PM January 05, 2011

There is no "certification" in NIMS. The federal government doesn't follow NIMS. Just thoughts to chew on. I feel the best way to get started in EM is to be flexible where you work. The dream location may not come up immediately, but have to worked up to. EM is a stand alone profession so training and education in it is essential.

NC of MO 7:32PM January 05, 2011

Much has been said regarding the great National organization IAEM, Please let me add that there are community colleges that are busting their butts to offer a cutting edge curriculum, in this new area, as well. No one mentions where and who, will hire and train a person with a AAS degree in Emergency Management. Four year degrees are sometimes great, but there are many of us coming out of local community colleges, looking for entry level positions, with backgrounds in Fire Science or Law Enforcement, and most government jobs want a BS degree, for what reason I'll never understand!
With this lousy economy, getting a four year degree is a tough road to hoe, for many, including us seniors, with limited funds. I would like to suggest, the gifted few who want a 4 year degree, throttle down a bit and start offering for anyone with a degree, either 2 or 4 year, in Emergency Management, a entry living wage position. Then take this person, with a 2 year degree and start him or her out, make it a requirement that he/she continue their education, towards a 4 year degree in EM, expenses and tuition being reimbursed, upon successful completion, each term. Guess what, Win Win for both parties!
As always, private enterprise can lead the way, with this idea. How about IAEM starting a training program, with each state group, pick up the interested folks with a 2 year degree, start them on their way with the AEM through IAEM, and find a state organization with members,willing to mentor them, and help them find entry level employment, and then work with those students, towards their 4 year college degrees and their "CEM" at the same time, as well. Disasters are here to the ends of time. Politicians must stop playing politics with human lives. More Money must be made available to train those who wish to train others, and work to teach all businesses worldwide, to train and care for their own employees, so that when a disaster strikes, they can care first for their own families, then come to work and re-open their doors to help out the communities they live in.
Americans can no longer totally depend on their governments to handle all their needs. Katrina and other disasters from around the world, proved that. We must like our forefathers, learn to once more depend on ourselves and our neighbors, because disasters... are local events, first! So let's begin locally!

Tom Kelly of OR 3:54AM December 09, 2010

Joey: The consensus I've heard in my bachelor's program for EM (which requires each student to get an internship) is that many EM-related internships may not specifically have "emergency management" in the name, but they are still focused on such things as "occupational safety," "public health," or "homeland security." Maybe broadening your search will help you find what you are looking for.

Brian Crisan of OH 5:44PM December 08, 2010

IAEM is an excellent venue for making connections in the emergency management field. I am the current Chairperson of the IAEM Training and Education Committee which will be working toward making it easier to connect prospective employers with student interns in the upcoming year.

Lyn Gross CEM of WA 4:31PM December 07, 2010