All this is now changing. While there are over 400 courses in existence today the curriculum is being revamped. Now after over five years of work, one of which specifically engaged a variety of external stakeholders, they are close to piloting a new national education system and rolling it out as soon as this coming fall (which might be optimistic based on my experience with the Emergency Management Institute (EMI).
There is to be four levels: Training and Education Levels with defined Competency Areas and Competency Statements:
Foundations (Emergency Management Academy) - training is intended to be the first training offered to new emergency managers as well as professionals from related career fields entering emergency management. Foundational training and education is being proposed as an Emergency Management Academy consisting of 5 courses including a two-week introduction to emergency management. The training will be packaged to permit residential delivery at EMI as well as regional or State delivery.
Specialized - training is intended to explore specialized topic areas such as Mitigation, Prevention, Protection, Preparedness (Planning, Training and Exercising), Response and Recovery. Candidates will concentrate on specific areas with identified training requirements that lead to certifications.
Managerial / Executive - training is targeted to provide enhanced leadership development, decision making and advanced skills in emergency management program management and supervision.
Strategic Leadership - capstone level training that will develop and challenge strategic planners and critical thinkers who serve as the executive leadership of the emergency management community.
The plan is to do several pilots before rolling out the whole shebang. Standby for official news when EMI finalizes the curriculum and announces the courses.
