More Information About Emergency Management

What should I know when considering a degree in Emergency Management ?

Emergency management is one of the most important careers in both government and private sectors. This is because emergency management professionals are trained and hired to handle whatever critical emergency situations might arise. From terrorist attacks to natural disasters, as an emergency management professional, you are not only on the scene, but you are in charge of handling the crisis and maintaining order. Needless to say, a career in emergency management, although considered stressful, is also extremely rewarding, fulfilling and is respected by members of the community, the state and the entire nation.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Department of the United States, emergency management consists of planning, training, conducting drills, testing equipment and coordinating activities with the community in order to prepare for any type of emergency situation. These include fire, hazardous materials incidents, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, storms, earthquakes, communications breakdowns, radiological accidents, civil disturbances, explosions, massive shootings and anything else where people are at risk.

Training and Education

Those in the field of emergency management must have adequate training, experience and education. An online emergency management degree is the best option in your quest for a career in this fast-paced industry. However, obtaining courses related to public policy and business are also extremely useful.

Online emergency management courses focus on the Critical Incident Management process when preparing, evaluating and initiating an emergency plan. You will also be taught leadership, risk assessment, crowd control, first aid, law enforcement and a variety of other skills needed to succeed in this line of work. Attending an online emergency management school will fast track your career while providing you with the skills needed to succeed in the future.

Rewards of Emergency Management

A degree in emergency management and relative work experience can take you into a career as an emergency management specialist. You will have the opportunity to work for the government both at the state and federal levels and in the private sector including schools, hospitals, airports and community-based businesses.

However, a degree in emergency management can also lead to a career in health services, law enforcement, national security and various other fulfilling vocations related to the field of emergency preparation. The Department of Homeland Security reports that emergency service careers include, but are not limited to, fire fighters, paramedics, health technicians, hazardous material removers, health and safety specialists and police officers.

As reported by the Bureau of Labour Statistics, of the nearly 12,000 emergency management specialists, over 8,000 work for the government. The yearly salary for emergency management specialists in 2007 was $51,470 and in several communities in California, Oregon and Maryland they averaged a yearly wage exceeding $70,000 in the 2007 year. This has increased greatly since 2004 where the average was $45,670. The salary for emergency management specialists and others related to the field of emergency services is expected to continue to rapidly increase.

A Limitless Future

As the Federal Emergency Management Department states, past emergencies have cost our nation billions of dollars and thousands of deaths. This includes the $25 billion dollars in damages caused by a south Florida hurricane and the six deaths, hundreds of injuries and 40,000-people evacuation after the World Trade Centre bombing. Although we hope and strive for a future without emergency situations, we must remain prepared. Because of this, there are more career opportunities than ever.

The Department of Homeland Security explains that the emergency management industry will employ 1.6 million people and spend $65 billion on wages alone by the year 2012. Emergency management specialists can expect an additional 2,000 new jobs (a 25 per cent increase) by 2012 in this $690 million-dollar industry. As reported by the Federal Jobs Net, the Department of Defence and Homeland Security alone are in the process of hiring 82,000 more people due to the war of terror and the aging workforce. These two agencies represent only a fraction of the emergency service agencies.

Careers in emergency management have reached an all time high with no signs of slowing down. If you're looking for an exhilarating, rewarding and respected career, now's the perfect time to enrol in an online emergency management degree program.

Article References

Bureau of Labour Statistics
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131061.htm

Department of Homeland Security
http://www.homelandsecuritynews.info/2008/05/emergency-management-job-market-outlook/

Federal Emergency Management Department
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/bizindst.pdf

Federal Job Net
http://federaljobs.net/law.htm

What are the leading schools offering programs in Emergency Management ?

• Grand Canyon University Online Founded in 1949 as a private, non-denominational Christian university, Grand Canyon University emphasizes individual attention and staff support. Students learn professional essentials for success in Education careers—all with the convenience of flexible online classes. ( More Info )
• Walden University Walden University, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers Ph.D., master's and bachelor's degrees in management and doctoral and master's degrees in psychology, education and health and human services to meet the specific needs of adult learners. Walden University has over 30 years of experience delivering programs from a distance while maintaining its student-centered focus on quality and integrity. ( More Info )
• Kaplan University - Legal Programs Kaplan University offers online Bachelors, Associates, Masters and Certificate programs in Paralegal focusing on the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Office Management, and Personal Injury. Kaplan's innovative program combines the career-oriented focus of a two-year degree with the academic curriculum of a four-year program, offering you the flexibility of joining the workforce while pursuing your lifelong goals. ( More Info )
• University of Maryland University College Since 1947, University of Maryland University College (UMUC) has pursued one primary mission: to make higher education more accessible, convenient, and rewarding for busy adults. UMUC offers more than 80 online degree and certificate programs, each designed to offer you a challenging educational experience with maximum flexibility. ( More Info )
• Anna Maria College Online Anna Maria College is a private, four-year, Catholic liberal arts school located in Paxton, Massachusetts. Founded in 1946, the school focuses on combining a strong liberal arts education with professional preparation for a variety of careers; including fire science and emergency management careers. ( More Info )
• Ashford University Founded in 1918, Ashford University specializes in Teacher Education and Organizational Leadership. Students choose from associate and bachelor degrees in business, psychology, criminal justice, and teaching. The accelerated classes will offer you a swift path to program completion. ( More Info )