Emergency Management Careers in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Cuyahoga County has experienced a wide array of natural disaster events in the past decade. However, given its location in the Ohio Valley in the northeastern section of the United States, this county is particularly susceptible to severe storms, including winter storms and flash flooding. Federal disasters were declared in Cuyahoga County for storms and flooding in April 2011, July 2006, and July 2003.

In the event of a severe storm, emergency management officials must be on hand to prepare for, respond to, and recover from storm-related emergencies, including flash flooding and power outages.

The Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management works with community partners and stakeholders to provide support and response services in times of natural and manmade disasters to its citizens. The Office of Emergency Management in Cuyahoga County is made of three branches: Planning, Training, and Operations, which therefore requires a number of skilled emergency management professionals.

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Emergency Management Career Paths Often Found in Cuyahoga County, Ohio

Emergency management professionals working in Cuyahoga County include the following:

  • Emergency Management Administrator: Emergency management administrators oversee all operations related to the emergency management department, including operations, training, and outreach, and planning divisions. This top-level administrative position typically requires a bachelor’s degree in emergency management or public administration, although many professionals at this level also possess master’s degrees, as well.
  • Emergency Management Operations Manager: The operations manager, in addition to serving as acting administrator when necessary, is responsible for assisting local governmental agencies and other partner organizations in implementing the county’s emergency operations plan. From developing and maintaining an all-hazards emergency operations plan to reviewing the plans for compliance with state and federal regulations, the emergency management operations manager is vital for ensuring emergency operations are current and enforced.
  • Training and Outreach Manager: The training and outreach manager for the Office of Emergency Management is tasked with working alongside the county’s public safety partners and community members at outreach and training events. This professional is also often qualified to teach courses and oversee programs for community and public outreach events. Knowledge of planning techniques and training within an emergency services operations department is usually the preferred experience for this position, and most professionals in training and outreach hold bachelor’s degrees in public administration or emergency management.

Emergency Management Training and Certification in Cuyahoga County

Many emergency management professionals continue their education in emergency management through formal training programs or certification programs. Professional certification through either the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is often sought by professionals seeking to enhance their current knowledge of emergency management and display a commitment to continued education in their profession.

Individuals seeking additional training experience in emergency management in Cuyahoga County also turn to the Ohio EMA Training and Service, which runs the Ohio Emergency Management and Homeland Security Training and Exercise programs.

Just a few of the training programs offered to the emergency management professionals of Cuyahoga County’s Office of Emergency Management include:

  • Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools
  • Resource Management
  • Debris Management
  • Mass Fatalities
  • Flood Fight Operations
  • Donations Management Workshop

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