1. Skip to navigation
  2. Skip to content
  3. Skip to sidebar

Military Career: Emergency Management Officers

 

Overview

The military must be prepared for all types of emergencies, from natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes, to enemy attacks. Emergency management officers prepare warning, control, and evacuation plans. They also coordinate emergency response teams during natural disasters.

What They Do

Emergency management officers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Organize emergency teams for quick responses to disaster situations
  • Research ways to respond to possible disaster situations
  • Conduct training programs for specialized disaster response teams
  • Develop joint disaster response plans with local, state, and federal agencies
  • Obtain supplies, equipment, and protective gear
  • Develop warning systems and safe shelters
  • Direct disaster control centers

Branches of the Military

Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard

Helpful Attributes

Helpful fields of study include physical and environmental sciences, engineering, law enforcement, and business or public administration. Helpful attributes include:

  • Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely
  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • Interest in developing detailed plans

Training Provided

Job training consists of 2 to 9 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Course content typically includes:

  • Disaster planning
  • Procedures for nuclear, biological, and chemical decontamination
  • Effects of radiation
  • Procedures for nuclear accident teams

Work Environment

Emergency management officers usually work in offices while developing disaster response plans. They work outdoors while inspecting shelters or directing emergency response teams.

Special Requirements

A 4-year college degree is normally required to enter this occupation.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian emergency management officers work for federal, state, and local governments, including law enforcement and civil defense agencies. They perform duties similar to those performed by military emergency management officers.

Below is a list of similar civilian occupations:

Administrative Services Managers
Health Services Administrators
Human Resources Managers
Social and Community Service Managers

Opportunities

The services have about 800 emergency management officers. Each year, they need new emergency management officers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, emergency management officers are assigned to command centers or planning sections, where they develop emergency plans and training programs. In time, they may advance to senior management positions.


Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Washington D.C.