Emergency Management Degree

The word ‘emergency’ is a broad term which includes many incidents.  These incidents may involve deaths or significant losses and may affect many different groups of people. Some events that are included in emergencies are as follows.

• Earthquake
• Fire
• Flood
• Hurricane
• Tornadoes
• Explosion
• Radioactive spill

While it is not always possible to prevent all emergencies, an emergency management degree will teach students how to handle emergency situations and minimize the loss of lives as well as physical and environmental damage. Thus, emergency management is a process that consists of the following activities.

• It prepares individuals, groups, and organizations for emergency situations.
• It aims to minimize the loss incurred by an emergency situation.
• It responds quickly to emergencies to protect lives and property.
• It makes effort to recover people from emergency situations and provide rehabilitation.

Associate degree in emergency management

An associate degree in emergency management normally takes two years to complete. The degree is for those individuals who wish to acquire an entry level position in the field. Some major topics covered in the degree are as follows.

• Risk assessment
• Computer skills
• Basic writing
• Basis of terrorism

Bachelor’s degree in emergency management

A bachelor’s degree in emergency management aims to prepare students for careers such as emergency managers. The program normally takes four years to complete and it may also require students to complete an internship to get some hands-on experience in the field. Students can acquire both managerial skills as well as technical skills related to disaster management. Although, coursework can vary depending on the institute you select, some major courses offered in the degree are as follows.

• Disaster response and recovery
• Environmental management
• Principles of emergency management

Master’s degree in emergency management

A master’s degree in emergency management is an advanced level degree that may offer specialization options to students. It is normally a two-year program and focuses on the planning and implementation of disaster management programs. Although, coursework can vary from one institute to another, some major courses offered in the degree are as follows.

• Policy implementation and evaluation
• Crisis management
• Bio-security

PhD in Emergency Management

A PhD degree in emergency management is for those students who wish to gain knowledge and skills related to the academic aspects of emergency management. Students get the opportunity to work on very extensive research projects. They have to come up with original ideas to begin their research on various aspects of disaster management. Some key topics covered in the degree are as follows.

• Leadership theory
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Institutional structures
• Social structures

If you want to select an online degree in emergency management, you may follow the steps below.

• Make a list of accredited programs offered in emergency management. Make sure these programs are accredited by a recognized agency.

• Thoroughly read about the coursework and specialization options. Make sure that your preferred programs offer courses related to your chosen career path.

• Also take alumni feedback and find out about their experience.

• Research on the overall repute of the online school.

• Compare tuition costs. Although, tuition cost should not be considered as the only factor, it may help you select a cost effective institute.

• Read admission requirements and apply for the school that meets most of your educational and career requirements.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of emergency management directors is likely to increase at 8 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is as fast as the average growth of all occupations. The growth in employment opportunities can be partly attributed to changes in weather patterns. Changes in weather patterns are likely to make some areas prone to droughts, hurricanes, flooding, and other weather-related emergencies. Besides, growing urbanization in high risk coastal areas may increase the demand of emergency managers. Emergency directors will also be needed to serve different organizations and businesses, which require support during and after emergencies. The employment growth of emergency directors is fastest in schools, hospitals and private companies.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that there were 9,900 jobs held by emergency directors in 2012.  Majority of the emergency directors worked for the local or state government, while others worked for hospitals, universities, private companies, and non-profit institutions. Some of the major industries that employ emergency directors are as follows.

• Local government, excluding hospitals and education
• Healthcare and social assistance
• State government, excluding hospitals and education
• Professional, scientific, and technical services
• Educational services; state, local, and private

Emergency managers have a challenging job and therefore they need to have some essential personality traits and specific skills to perform well on their job. Some of the key traits and skills are as follows.

• Communication skills to communicate emergency plans to all levels of government and general public.
• Critical thinking skills to assess the hazards and problems resulting from an emergency situation and to respond effectively.
• Decision making skills to make timely decisions in critical and stressful situations.
• Interpersonal skills to work effectively with many law enforcement officials, government agencies, and general public to manage emergency responses.
• Leadership skills to make sure emergencies are responded effectively. Also, to train and organize a number of people to carry out tasks in different situations.

• Between the years 2002 and 2012, natural disasters caused a damage of $1.7 trillion and 2.9 billion people were affected.

• In 2011, there were 154 floods, 16 draughts, and 15 incidents of extreme temperature throughout the world.

• Interestingly, over half of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy were senior citizens who exceeded the age of 65.

• Flooding is the most widespread natural disaster in the US apart from wildfires. 90% of all natural disasters declared by the President involve flooding.