Emergency Management EMG

Holland Code: SE (Social, Enterprising)

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.

General requirements

• This is a graduate certificate program. Applicants must have a college diploma or university degree.
• Advanced writing and word processing skills are essential.
• Experience using the Internet for information-gathering and research.
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed environment.

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• The ability to remain calm during busy periods and emergency situations
• The flexibility required to deal with the unexpected
• Polite and empathetic
• Able to handle emotional stress
• Positive and professional attitude
• A good memory for details and procedures
• Good judgment and decision making skills
• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to listen to incoming requests for service and Delegate tasks at the same time (multi-tasking skills)
• The ability to work well in a team environment

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become an

Emergency Planner, Emergency Management Coordinator, Emergency Management System Director (EMS Director), Emergency Preparedness Program Specialist, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, or Emergency Services Director.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Private corporations; public institutions; municipal, provincial or federal governments.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• Shift work - night, holiday, and weekend work may be required
• Required to sit for long periods of time
• May be stressful when dealing with emergency situations
• Working with high levels of technology
• Work alone or as part of a team depending on call volume/workplace

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
• Prepare plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.
• Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of personnel and equipment.
• Design and administer emergency or disaster preparedness training courses that teach people how to effectively respond to major emergencies and disasters.
• Keep informed of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency, as well as those that could affect response efforts and details of plan implementation.
• Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
• Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
• Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
• Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
• Propose alteration of emergency response procedures based on regulatory changes, technological changes, or knowledge gained from outcomes of previous emergency situations.

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

• City of London Emergency Preparedness
• Emergency Management Ontario
• Public Safety Canada
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Last Modified: June 1, 2022