From establishing safety policies across a hospital system to coordinating incident protocols for large events, emergency management professionals often find career opportunities across a wide variety of industries. Depending on the context, emergency managers could be responsible for monitoring public health threats or training government staff to respond to an emergency.
Through Millersville University’s online Master of Science (M.S.) in Emergency Management program, students pick up the skills and broad knowledge base to set them up for a successful career in every space, from public health emergency planning to homeland security consulting.
Emergency Management for Local Government
County emergency management directors have a key responsibility that guides everything they do: identifying and analyzing all risks and hazards that could pose significant threats to the local government and its residents. To mitigate these threats, directors create emergency operations plans to meet state and federal standards.
They also may provide regular training programs to allow top leaders to experience simulated emergency conditions and maintain public information systems that alert residents to extreme weather, among other threats. The job also involves coordinating with local first responders and security contractors to determine how each agency will respond in an emergency.
Local government emergency management directors can expect to make a median salary of $76,730, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Coordinating Public Health Emergency Response
Local government agencies are searching for qualified public health emergency planners to help them prepare for future pandemics following the catastrophe of COVID-19.
County health emergency planners typically prepare, review and manage policies to mitigate events that jeopardize health, safety and the environment. They manage teams that investigate the impact of infectious and communicable diseases on their region and develop materials to educate the public about emergency programs.
Annual salaries for county public health emergency planners vary by state and experience, but Zippia estimates an average salary of $61,090 for the position.
Homeland Security Coordination for Governments
Homeland security planning coordinators and division chiefs work closely with first responders, including fire and medical services, to plan for terrorism or other incidents that could take place at large gatherings or special events.
The position can entail collaboration with federal, regional, state and local homeland security officials to develop security protocols and ensure they are properly implemented, according to a Pennsylvania job listing. While there are few specific salary estimates for homeland security planners, data from ZipRecruiter lists the average salary for emergency management homeland security roles in Pennsylvania as $87,304 a year.
Providing Homeland Security Expertise
Emergency management professionals could also serve as homeland security consultants to government clients and private corporations. The position can include researching solutions to challenges involving emergency preparedness and response and recovery from disasters, according to a job listing in Virginia.
Senior consultants typically develop project schedules for teams of junior employees who are responsible for developing reports, presentations and emergency training materials for clients across the federal, state and local levels. Emergency management directors make an average salary of $76,730, according to the BLS.
Preparing Hospitals and Other Healthcare Settings for Emergencies
Like other emergency management professionals, hospital emergency management directors plan emergency response activities for the organization and the communities it serves. The job is distinguished by the degree of coordination between nurse managers, operations and facilities staff, and human resources managers who serve vulnerable populations, according to Rave Mobile Safety.
Hospital emergency management staff are often expected to develop employee training for the HR department and create a plan for cybersecurity attacks compromising sensitive medical information. On average, hospital emergency management professionals make $100,081 each year, according to ZipRecruiter.
Advance Your Emergency Management Career With Millersville University
The curriculum in Millersville University’s online M.S. in Emergency Management program offers courses in emergency preparedness for industry, crisis communications and humanitarian response. Graduates will walk away prepared to take on a wide range of lucrative careers in the emergency management field.
This program also helps graduates prepare for the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) exam, thanks to the curriculum that covers emergency management mitigation, communication, response, recovery and science.
Learn more about Millersville University’s online Master of Science in Emergency Management program.
