There are plenty of jurisdictions that are betting that nothing will happen to them when it comes to having a disaster. If nothing does happen and you haven't hired an emergency manager then "you win!" However, someday the piper will be paid, especially when it comes to earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest.
I always tell elected officials that the best way to become prepared as a jurisdiction is to dedicate an FTE (a person) to the job. If it is an additional duty for someone the mission of emergency management will always end up on the back burner because of other "pressing matters" that demand a person's attention, day-to-day.
If you are in the "hunt" for a new position, this would be one to watch for when it gets advertised in the future. My best guess is that this position will top out around $90K for salary.
