The FEMA certification programs are leading certifications programs for emergency managers.
Conducted in cooperation with the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), the first certification in the FEMA certification programs is the Professional Development Series (PDS). It is awarded upon completion of seven FEMA courses. These courses may be taken as independent study or in the classroom.
The required courses in the PDS program are:
Principles of Emergency Management, IS230 Emergency Planning, IS235 Effective Communication, IS242 Decision-Making and Problem-Solving, IS241 Leadership and Influence, IS240 Developing and Managing Volunteers , IS244 Exercise Design, IS139 FEMA recommends that the above courses be completed in that order. Once the PDS program is completed, you can then consider going on to the APS certification, but you have to submit a request to enroll in the APS program through your State Emergency Manager Training Officer. If approved, your request will then be forwarded to your FEMA regional office. The next step is final approval by the Superintendent of the Emergency Management Institute (EMI).
The required APS courses are:
EOC Management and Operations, G275 Incident Command System/Emergency Operations Center Interface, G191 Rapid Assessment Workshop, G250.7 Recovery from Disaster: The Local Government Role, G270.4 Mitigation Planning Workshop for Local Governments, G318
Then select five of these elective courses:
Donations Management Workshop, G288 Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools, G362 Emergency Planning and Special Needs Populations, G197 Resource Management, G276 Debris Management, G202 Mass Fatalities, G386 Exercise Program Manager, G137 Flood Fight Operations, G361 Emergency Management Operations Course for Local Governments, G110 Homeland Security Planning for Local Governments, 408 Community Mass Care Management, G108 Evacuation and Re-Entry Planning, G358 Basic Public Information Officer, G290 Hazardous Weather and Flood Preparedness, G271 Warning Coordination, G272 Advanced Incident Command System, G196 FEMA also issues a special certificate if you complete 50 or more independent study courses.
Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) The Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) is considered by many to be the top certification in Emergency Management.
One of the primary reasons for becoming certified is to be NIMS-compliant. By being certified, you show that you are knowledgeable in the four core components of emergency management: preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.
Many positions for managers in emergency management or homeland security are seeking a CEM® as a prerequisite to employment.
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