Certificates in Emergency and Fire Management

Career summary: Emergency Management Directors

Average Salary

$74,590

National Average, Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook

Good

5% job growth by 2028, which is as fast as average

Earn a degree in emergency and fire management from an accredited college

One of the best ways to prepare for a career in emergency and fire management is through a college education. A Certificate will help you develop entry level skills, general emergency and fire management know how and the basic emergency and fire management experience you need to start your career off right. You may also consider a Bachelor's in Emergency and Fire Management to help you take your education and career to the next level. Please select emergency and fire management school below.

Overview

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Why would I want an emergency management degree?

Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also lead the response during and after emergencies, often in coordination with fire and law enforcement officials, elected officials, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

Job Description

What does a person with an emergency management degree do?

Emergency management directors typically do the following:

  • Plan responses to emergencies and disasters in order to minimize risk to people and property
  • Meet with law enforcement officials, private companies, and the general public to get recommendations regarding emergency response plans
  • Organize emergency response training programs for staff, volunteers, and other first responders
  • Coordinate the use and sharing of resources and equipment within the community to assist in emergency response
  • Prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies
  • Review emergency plans of individual organizations, such as medical facilities, to ensure their adequacy
  • Apply for federal funding for emergency management responses and report on the progress of such grants
  • Revise and review local emergency operations plans

Salary

How much does someone with an emergency management degree make?

The median annual wage for emergency management directors was $74,590 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,430, and the top 10 percent earned more than $141,230.

Most emergency management directors work full time. However, most are on call at all times and may need to work overtime to respond to emergencies and to support emergency management operations. Others may work evenings and weekends to meet with various community groups in preparing their emergency response plans.

Career Outlook

How popular are emergency management jobs?

Emergency management directors will be needed to help businesses and organizations continue providing essential products and services during and after emergencies. Employment of emergency management directors is expected to grow the fastest in local and state government, general medical and surgical hospitals, and colleges, universities, and professional schools.

Career Path

How do I get a job in emergency medicine?

Emergency management directors typically need a bachelor’s degree. Many emergency management directors get their degree in business or public administration, fire science, or emergency management.

Although some smaller municipalities or local governments may hire applicants with a high school degree, these applicants usually need more extensive work experience in emergency management.

Salary and career outlook data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Learning Format

Location

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Emergency and Fire Management Schools (0)

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