The Kent County Division of Emergency Management (DEM) works with a variety of local, state and federal agencies to maintain county preparedness for environmental and manmade crises. DEM works with the Delaware Radiological Emergency Plan and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency to ensure county resources are available to mitigate the effects of a radiological material release. This agency is also partnered with the Local Emergency Planning Committee to carry out the mandates of the Superfund amendments Reauthorization Act, which is related to the spill of hazardous materials.
Training and Requirements for Emergency Management Professionals in Kent County, Delaware
Emergency management careers may be found among many professional fields including public health, engineering, architecture, homeland security, geology and meteorology. The majority of these jobs have requirements similar to these:
- Possession of a bachelor’s or master’s (for many of the more technical disciplines) in
- Engineering
- Emergency management
- Public policy
- Homeland security
- Terrorism studies
- Business administration
- Epidemiology
- A minimum of one year of experience in supervising emergency management personnel
- Design and implementation of exercises or training programs in emergency management
- Knowledge of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program as well as the National Incident Management System
- Accreditation as a Certified Emergency Manager
- Proficiency with common computer and web programs
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Training for emergency management professionals may be obtained through a variety of organizations. First responders like police, fire and EMTs may attend schools or training academies prior to field placement. Emergency management coordinators may obtain training through the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) or through the federal Emergency Management Institute. DEMA offers training to local and state personnel through a variety of specialized training programs and exercises modeled on federal disaster templates.
The Emergency Management Institute offers several certification programs including:
- Professional Development Series
- Emergency Planning
- Fundamentals of Emergency Management
- Introduction to Exercises
- Effective Communication
- Advanced Professional Series
- Rapid Assessment Workshop
- Multi- Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools
- Debris Management
Major Disasters in Kent County Past and Present
In 1999, Tropical Storm Floyd struck Kent County. In some places, the storm produced more than ten inches of rain, causing widespread flooding. Hundreds of roads, railways, and bridges were damaged, blocked or destroyed. The flooding also caused dozens of motorists to be trapped in their cars. The storm destroyed 33 homes, and damaged almost 171. The damage caused by the storm topped $8.4 million.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy dumped as much as 11 inches of rain on parts of Kent County. Sandy whipped up winds as strong as 40 mph. Kent County saw some of the lowest atmospheric pressure ever when Sandy traveled across the state.