Santa Fe County has been greatly affected by natural disasters during recent years:
The State of New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department, Forestry Division, reported more than 250 incidents of fires requiring emergency response from 1997 to 2003 in Santa Fe County. These occurrences resulted in 14,000 burned acres and a direct cost of more than $1 million for firefighting efforts.
Between 1950 and 2000, the National Climatic Data Center reported 14 hazardous wind events in Santa Fe County, resulting in $36,000 in reported damage. Nineteen tornadoes were reported in Santa Fe County between 1956 and 2002.
Emergency management in Santa Fe County, therefore, must address the natural and manmade disasters that could affect this area of the country.
Emergency Management Degree, Training and Certification in Santa Fe County
Emergency management professionals within Santa Fe County and the City of Santa Fe’s Office of Emergency Management collaborate with partners across all levels of government to prepare for or respond to any type of natural or manmade disaster.
Emergency management professionals, including emergency management specialists, must therefore possess a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public safety management, public administration, or a closely related field, along with at least 3 years of professional experience working in an emergency management operations environment.
Many professionals in emergency management seek professional certification, and employers often demand that emergency management professionals possess the FEMA Advanced Professional Series (APS) certificate or the Professional Development Series (PDS) Certificate.
The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management offers a variety of APS and PDS training courses throughout the year, including:
- Advanced Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations
- Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents
- Basic Public Information Officers
- Emergency Operation Center Operations for All-Hazard Events
- Warning Coordination
- Joint Information System/Center Planning for Tribal, State and Local Public Information Officers
Professional certification through the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) as either an Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) or a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) is also often chosen for emergency management professionals seeking continuing education.
Santa Fe County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Santa Fe County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is designed to address a number of issues related to the county’s emergency management program:
- Enhance Public Awareness and Understanding
- Create a Decision Tool for Management
- Promote Compliance with State and Federal Program Requirements
- Enhance Local Policies for Hazard Mitigation Capability
- Inter-Jurisdictional Coordination of Mitigation-Related Programming