Hurricane Sandy left a swift and lasting impression on New Jersey in 2012, causing nearly $30 billion in damages, killing 39 people, and cutting off power to nearly 3 million homes and businesses. The tourism industry was greatly impacted, as was everyday life for the residents in Middlesex County.
Hurricane Sandy is a clear indication why New Jersey counties like Middlesex County cannot afford to dismiss the importance of a highly qualified staff of emergency management personnel and a comprehensive emergency operations plan.
Education and Experience Requirements
Emergency management professionals in Middlesex County often possess not only experience in EM programs and operations, but education as well. Bachelor’s degrees in emergency management and related programs are a common prerequisite for many positions, such as:
- Emergency Management Specialists
- Emergency Management Planners
- Emergency Management Directors
Further, professional certification in emergency management, either through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), is commonplace in this profession.
Training Requirements for Emergency Management Professionals in
Middlesex County
The County Emergency Management Coordinator provides leadership at the county level of government in Middlesex County and is responsible for program administration and program development, which includes the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Middlesex County Emergency Management Coordinator must adhere to a specific training program, which includes the completion of the following courses within a year of employment:
- Introduction to Emergency Management
- Emergency Management Workshop
- Emergency Planning
- Emergency Program Manager
The Emergency Management Coordinator must complete the following courses within 2 years of being employed by the county:
- Leadership and Influence
- Decision Making and Problem Solving
- Effective Communications
- Creative Financing
Continuing education is an important component of the job of Emergency Management Coordinator; therefore, 24 classroom hours of emergency management continuing education must be completed every year.