The Growing Need for Emergency Management Experts
| 3 Min Read
Since 9/11, the demand for emergency management experts has been growing, both in the public and private sectors. As the country has placed a greater emphasis on emergency preparedness and disaster response, the need for highly trained individuals to oversee the development and implementation of emergency response plans at the local, state and federal levels is greater than ever before. In 2012 there were approximately 10,000 emergency management specialists employed in the United States; by 2022, the number of emergency management jobs is expected to grow between five and eight percent.1 Jobs in emergency management can also be very lucrative, with the average emergency management salary ranging from $62,193 annually for safety specialists to $118,703 annually for disaster recovery directors.
Find out more about what disaster planning and management is all about, where the jobs are, how much you can make and why emergency management is a great career field to enter.
The Growing Need for Emergency Management Experts Infographic
The Growing Need for Emergency Management Experts
Ever since the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, there has been a growing demand for emergency management experts. Whether in the public or private sectors, these specialists develop comprehensive disaster response plans, coordinate with local and federal agencies, and apply for federal relief funding. See the recent trends in disaster spending and the increasing demand for emergency management experts.
Job Responsibilities – Role of the Emergency Management Expert
- Develop emergency procedures
- Coordinate with local officials and emergency personnel
- Successfully apply for federal relief funding
- Remedy vulnerabilities in disaster response systems
FEMA Guidelines
- Small Disasters (0-10 million dollars)
- Medium Disasters (10-100 million dollars)
- Large Disasters (100-500 million dollars)
- Very Large Disasters (more than 500 million dollars)
Four Phases of Disaster Relief
- Mitigation
- Preparedness
- Response
- Recovery
Always Prepared – A Look at the Threats These Specialists Prepare for Major Disasters:
- Hurricane
- Tornado
- Storm
- Tsunami
- Earthquake
- Fire
- Flood
- Etc.
High Alert – Increase in FEMA Emergency Responses by Year
- 2006: 52 major disasters; 5 emergencies
- 2007: 63 major disasters; 13 emergencies
- 2008: 75 major disasters; 17 emergencies
- 2009: 59 major disasters; 7 emergencies
- 2010: 81 major disasters; 9 emergencies
- 2011: 95 major disasters; 26 emergencies
Emergencies
Any occasion the president determines federal assistance needed to assist local efforts to save American lives from any threat
Boom in Federal Funding – Between 1999 and 2011 FEMA has given
3,055,477,074 dollars for major disasters, at an average per incident of 63,083,661 dollars. This does not include numbers from September 11, 2001.
133,101,430 dollars for emergencies, at an average per incident of 14,363,214 dollars.
Careers in Emergency Management – Where Experts Have Taken Their Skills
- Disaster Recovery Manager
- Emergency Services Director
- Environmental Health and Safety Manager
- Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator
- Hurricane Program Manager
- Nuclear Emergency Planner
Go Where You’re Needed – Top Industries Employing Emergency Management Experts:
- Local Government: 6,870
- State Government: 1,370
- Hospitals: 1,100
- Community Food and Housing: 640
- Power Plants: 370
By 2016 employment for Emergency Management Experts is projected to grow by 22 percent. Through 2016 Homeland Security job growth is expected to be 42 percent.
The Right Tools for the Job – Highest Education Levels Attained by Emergency Management Experts
- 52 percent hold a Bachelor’s degree
- 26 percent hold a Master’s degree
- 15 percent have some college experience, but no degree
Praise Where Praise is Due – How Salary Trends Reflect the Growing Need for Emergency Management Experts
- Median Salary for Emergency Management Directors:
- 2006: about 45,000 dollars
- 2007: about 48,500 dollars
- 2008: 50,000 dollars
- 2009: about 52,500 dollars
- 2010: about 55,000 dollars
- Average Salary by Career Path:
- Disaster Recovery Director: 118,703 dollars
- Health and Safety Manager: 116,200 dollars
- Emergency Services Director: 107,816 dollars
- Disaster Recovery Manager: 103,197 dollars
- Health and Safety Supervisor: 73,876 dollars
- Safety Specialist: 62,193 dollars
- Safety Representative: 47,342 dollars
Infographic Sources
- http://www.aag.org/cs/salary_data_and_trends/public_administration/13-1061.
- http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/best-jobs-2011-emergency-management-specialist.
- http://www.marketwatch.com/story/homeland-security-and-emergency-management-certificate-now-offered-at-ucla-extension-2012-03-12.
- http://www.onetoneline.org/link/summary/11-9161.00?redi=13-1061.00.
- http://www.myplan.com/careers/emergency-management-specialists/summary-13-1061.00.html.
- http://www.allcriminaljusticeschools.com/legal-careers/article/emergency-management-degree.
- http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/stat2.shtm.
- http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/stat1.shtm.
- http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/goals.shtm.