Change to CEM Certification

See news release from IAEM below:

Nov. 7, 2008 (Falls Church, VA) - The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) has announced that the Certified Emergency Manager® (CEM®) Commission has approved a change in the Professional Contributions requirement for candidates for the CEM® credential. The change allows the conducting of emergency management research to be counted toward the Professional Contributions requirement.

The concept of professionalism is ultimately defined as one's contributions to the emergency management profession. Candidates for the CEM® can list any and all such activities, giving special consideration to the most current activities. Specific verification documenting each activity is requested, and submissions for at least six (6) different categories of professional contribution are required. All submissions must contribute to and support the field of disaster/emergency management, have occurred during the 10 years preceding the CEM® application, and must be beyond the scope of the candidate's n ormal job responsibilities. Any assignments that are included on a candidate's job description do not qualify.

The new category of professional contribution, "Conducting Research," is defined as follows:

Conducting Research. Play a significant role in the development and execution of an emergency management research project. For example: producing professor-supervised graduate-level research for a graduate thesis or dissertation; developing a project under the Natural Hazards Centers' Quick Response program; publishing research that updates previous research projects with new data; producing independent analysis for government or non-government interest groups (ex. Congressional Research Service, IAEM, Rand Corporation); or research related to expert testimony before relevant government bodies with subpoena authority (state legislatures, some city councils). Producing after action reviews, local hazards analyses, and regular school reports and papers do not qualify under this contribution. Being an interview subject for a research project does not qualify either. The CEM® candidate must validate his/her role and provide a copy of the final research.

About the Certified Emergency Manager® Program
CEM® certification is a peer review process administered through the International Association ofEmergency Managers. IAEM membership is not a requirement of certification, but it does offer applicants a number of benefits that can assist them through the certification process. Certification is maintained in five-year cycles. The CEM® program is served by a CEM® Commission that is comprised of emergency management professionals, including representatives from allied fields, education, the military and private industry. Development of the CEM® program was supported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Emerg ency Management Association (NEMA), and a host of allied organizations. Learn about the CEM® program at www.iaem.com/CEM.