Emergency Manager 1
Training today’s emergency managers for tomorrow’s disasters
Description
The Emergency Manager 1 course is a 138-hour academic program consisting of instructor-led education, with one 3-hour session each week and four 8-hour weekend sessions delivered over the course of four months. Students also complete asynchronous coursework including homework assignments and quizzes/exams. The course provides entry-level academic and practical training for individuals aspiring to enter the emergency management profession or those who seek to refine their current knowledge and skills.
New Jersey Certified Emergency Manager: The New Jersey Emergency Management Association (NJEMA) administers the New Jersey Certified Emergency Manager (NJCEM) credential and the Emergency Manager 1 course satisfies the minimum training requirement, if you plan on pursuing your certification. Please visit NJEMA.org for more information about the NJCEM credential, including how to apply. *Note: Completion of the Emergency Manager 1 course does not guarantee that you will receive the NJCEM credential by NJEMA.
IAEM Certified Emergency Manager: The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) administers the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) credential. The Emergency Manager 1 course can be used as training hours required for both initial and recertification requirements. Please visit the IAEM website and view the USA Training Allocation Chart. *Note: Completion of the Emergency Manager 1 course does not guarantee that you will receive the CEM credential by IAEM.
Academic Credit (Matriculating Students Only): The Emergency Manager 1 course can be used for undergraduate and/or graduate credit at the Petrocelli College of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Undergraduate students can use this for three credits in Personnel Management for Emergency Services (PADM 4516). Graduates can use it for three credits as a substitute for Theory and Practice of Administration (MADS 6600) on completion of an additional assessment assigned by the faculty.
Emergency Manager 1 Graduate Networking: Graduates of the Emergency Manager 1 course have either worked for or been hired by agencies that include: FEMA, Health and Human Services, State Office of Emergency Management, State Department of Environmental Protection, State Department of Transportation, State Department of Health, FDNY, Hospital Emergency Management Agencies, County OEMs, and Municipal OEMs.
Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP): The Emergency Manager 1 course includes HSEEP within Module 2. Students complete the actual FEMA HSEEP course and, as an additional assignment for EM1, are presented with scenarios in which they must design, deliver, and evaluate a real tabletop exercise. Students will receive a FEMA HSEEP certificate directly from FEMA upon successfully completing and passing the HSEEP class.
Modules
Module 1: Introduction to Emergency Management
Terminology, Definitions, and Concepts
Emergency Management as a Profession
Laws and Authorities
Emergency Operations Centers
Disaster Science
Module 2: Fundamentals of Emergency Management
Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
Module 3: Applications of Emergency Management
Healthcare and Education
Risk Communications
Cybersecurity and Terrorism
Volunteer Organizations
Target Audience
The Emergency Manager 1 course is specifically designed for individuals wishing to enter the emergency management profession or individuals currently working in emergency management roles without any formal education or training. We welcome experienced emergency managers who wish to enhance their current knowledge but would encourage you to review the course agenda to ensure you understand the depth and scope of topics covered. You do not need to be an emergency management coordinator to attend.
Current and former students include representatives from:
Law enforcement
Fire/hazmat services
Emergency medical services
Hospitals and public health agencies
Higher education
Municipal, county, state, and regional emergency management agencies
Private sector utilities (water and electric)
Intergovernmental organizations
Professional associations
Prerequisites
The following minimum requirements must be completed prior to the start of the class. The most recent versions of each course must be completed. This ensures that all students have a baseline understanding of emergency management and the most updated information.
Required:
FEMA Independent Study courses:
Age of 18 years or older.
Cost
The course registration fee is $650.00. An invoice is emailed after registration to allow for processing.
Class schedule
Spring 2025 - Hybrid - Mount Laurel, NJ - REGISTRATION OPEN BELOW
QUOTES from EM1 Graduates
“The single best class I've taken in my 35-year emergency management career."
"Where was this class when I started as an emergency manager?"
"Outstanding training experience for new emergency managers, as well as a great refresher for experienced professionals."
“I learned more in this class than everything I’ve taken previously.”
“I don’t understand why this isn’t required of all emergency managers.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will class be cancelled for any reason?
Generally, no. All prospective students should plan for distance learning via Zoom. This means you will need to ensure you have access to a device with video camera and microphone capabilities. Most laptops, tablets, and phones can easily accomplish this. You will be provided with detailed instructions once you have registered for the course and once the course begins.
2. I am working a shift during lecture. Can I attend Zoom from work?
Maybe. You may attend lectures via Zoom while at work. However, you cannot attend lecture while driving apparatus, including a fire truck, ambulance, police cruiser, or personal vehicle. You are expected to be in a stationary location, with your Zoom camera on, actively participating and listening to lecture. Anyone participating from a moving vehicle, without prior approval, will be removed from the Zoom lecture and considered absent.
3. I have a scheduling conflict and must miss a class. Is that okay?
Yes. We allow for two absences for the week night lectures. We do not allow for any weekend class absences. Please contact us at JAllen@EmergencyMngr.com to resolve planned conflicts.
4. I already have HSEEP. Do I have to attend that weekend?
Not all of it. However, we encourage all students to participate in our HSEEP delivery as a refresher and to ensure that you’re caught up with the tabletop exercise group activity. If you choose not to participate in our HSEEP delivery, you will still be required to join us for the tabletop design activity on HSEEP day 2.
5. If I pass Emergency Manager 1, do I become a New Jersey Certified Emergency Manager (NJCEM)?
No. Emergency Manager Project, LLC administers the Emergency Manager 1 (EM1) course. The New Jersey Emergency Management Association administers the NJCEM credential. Passing EM1 will meet the training requirement for your NJCEM application. There are other requirements you must meet to obtain your NJCEM credential which are outlined on the NJEMA website at NJEMA.org.
6. Can I receive college credits for passing Emergency Manager 1?
Maybe. Fairleigh Dickinson University will award academic credits for matriculating students only. Undergraduate students may use EM1 for three credits as a substitute for Personnel Management for Emergency Services (PADM 4516). Graduates may use it for three credits as a substitute for Theory and Practice of Administration (MADS 6600) on completion of an additional assessment assigned by the faculty.
7. Can I pay with a purchase order?
Yes. When you submit your registration form, you will receive an invoice in a separate email shortly thereafter. If you do not receive that invoice, please check your trash or spam folders. With your invoice, you will also receive our W9 form and business certificate. These documents are usually required when you submit an invoice to your agency for processing.
8. I have a high school education. Will I be overwhelmed in this course?
No. Many students find the course to be both challenging and rewarding. EM1 is undoubtedly a significant time commitment. When you factor in classroom lectures, weekend classes, homework assignments, quizzes, and supplemental readings, EM1 is 138 hours of total coursework. If you commit to succeeding, you will succeed, regardless of your formal education level.
9. I have many years of emergency management experience. Can I challenge the exam?
No. Our students range from brand new, aspiring emergency managers to professionals with 40+ years of experience. EM1 is designed for all experience and education levels; we are confident that you'll learn something new and enjoy the course.
10. Can I get a refund if I withdraw?
Maybe. We have a very simple refund policy. If you withdraw before the course begins, we will issue you a full refund. If you withdraw once the course begins, we will not issue you a refund.
11. Do you have any seats left?
Maybe. If there's a registration form below then yes, we have seats available. We close the registration form when we no longer have any seats remaining. So, if you can register, then you're good to go!
Register
Please read ALL of the information above before registering, including the class dates.
The registration process will take approximately 3 minutes to complete. Please be prepared with information about your education and employer or sponsoring agency. You will NOT be asked to submit any prerequisite certificates now.
Once you register, you will immediately be emailed a welcome letter with additional information. Shortly after that, you will receive a separate email with an invoice You have the choice to pay the invoice yourself or submit to your agency for payment.
Please note that you may not be able to register using a mobile browser. If you're on a mobile device (phone or tablet), you must request the desktop version of this website in order to successfully complete the registration form. Otherwise, use a desktop or laptop to avoid this issue.