Emergency Management Careers in New York City, New York

Earthquakes, coastal storms and hurricanes, extreme heat, fires, flooding, chemical spills and winter storms: all a somber possibility in America’s most populous city. In the last few years alone, New York City has been dealt several blows: Hurricane Irene in August 2011, which cost the city an estimated $100 million in damages; Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, which brought winds of up to 85 mph and a peak storm surge of nearly 14 feet; and the December 2010 Nor’easter, which dumped more than 20 inches of snow on the city.

New York City’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), established in 1996, plans and prepares for all emergencies in the City, while also educating the public about emergency preparedness, coordinating emergency and response efforts, and disseminating emergency information.

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Emergency Management Degrees in New York City

Whether in the public or private sector, the majority of New York City employers in emergency management require their emergency management professionals to possess, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in emergency management, public administration, urban planning, public safety, or in a closely related field.

Further, experience in the field of emergency management is crucial to landing a position as an emergency management specialist, an emergency management director, or an emergency management planner. Many employers require at least three years of experience when hiring emergency management personnel.

Just a few of the bachelor degree options in emergency management include:

  • Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management
  • Bachelor of Arts in Emergency and Disaster Management
  • Bachelor of Emergency Management Services
  • Bachelor of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Management
  • Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
  • Bachelor of Science in Crisis and Disaster Management

Emergency Management Training and Certification in New York City

The New York Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) provides training and exercises for both government and non-governmental organizations in the state, as well as for elected officials and public works, health, technology, and communications personnel.

The DHSES Training and Exercise program offers training, and the State Preparedness Training Center NYS OEM also provides numerous programs, including: performance-based training, reality-based training, and awareness-level training. All training takes place either at the regional level or at the State Preparedness Training Center.

The State OEM conducts the annual State Training and Exercise Planning Workshop, as well as the period Training Needs Assessments, which is designed to address training gaps among statewide emergency management personnel. Courses include:

  • State Emergency Operations – Planning Section
  • Mass Fatalities Incident Response
  • Emergency Operations Center Course
  • Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
  • Bioterrorism: Mass Prophylaxis Preparedness and Planning
  • State Emergency Operations: Logistics Center
  • Essentials of Community Cyber Security
  • ICS for Major and/or Complex Incidents

The DHSES also offers courses to satisfy FEMA’s Professional Development Series (PDS) certification. The PDS includes seven courses, taken either in a classroom or through independent study. Upon completion of the courses, individuals receive PDS certification through FEMA. Courses include:

  • Emergency Planning
  • Leadership and Influence
  • Effective Communication
  • Developing and Managing Volunteers
  • Introduction to Exercises
  • Fundamentals of Emergency Management
  • Decision Making and Problem Solving

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