How to Become an Emergency Management Specialist

Becoming an emergency management specialist usually takes an onsite or online associates or bachelors degree. This degree can be in emergency management or in facilities with a concentration in emergency management.

The positions this degree prepares the candidates for are jobs such as emergency management specialists, emergency management planners, emergency operations coordinators and environmental compliance planners.

Related Emergency Management Specialist Programs

What does an emergency management specialist do?


The responsibility of an emergency management specialist is to coordinate crisis management activities and disaster response. They prepare people in their charge on how to respond in a disaster. They prepare emergency plans for natural disasters like floods and hurricanes; wartime incidents; hostage situations or technological disasters like a nuclear power plant emergency.

Some of the other duties of emergency management specialists include to:

• Stay informed of activities that could influence emergencies
• Prepare and communicate detailed emergency evacuation plans
• Alter the procedures based on regulatory, technology and other incident responses
• Inspect facilities and equipment such as emergency management centers and communications equipment
• Design and present emergency preparedness training that teaches people how to respond safely
• Stay abreast of local, state and federal regulations that impact emergency plans
• Develop and maintain relationships with counterparts in municipalities, county departments and similar entities to coordinate emergency responses
• Coordinate the actual disaster response tasks such as smooth evacuations, and special needs programs

What kind of education does an emergency management specialist need?


An applied science associate’s degree in emergency management will provide the student with the knowledge and skills to manage a comprehensive emergency management system.

A bachelor’s degree can help emergency management specialists to advance to more senior positions in the profession.

How much does an emergency management specialist earn?


Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that median annual salaries for emergency management specialists are at around $50,460.

where can an emergency management specialist work?


Emergency management specialists can find work in local, state and federal government organizations. Many large private corporations also hire and retain a staff that includes emergency management specialists. These positions are usually in the facilities department.

academic infoCreated by: Mike Madin 1998 | Last updated: 05/16/2012