The National Emergency Management Academy
The purpose for the establishment of a National Emergency Management Academy is to support the professionalization of the field of emergency management with a structured and progressive framework for acquiring the knowledge, skills, and abilities to enter the field and grow to meet the challenges of an unpredictable and complex environment. Similar to “basic” academies operated by the fire and law enforcement communities, the Academy will offer a foundational education in emergency management while providing an opportunity for participants to build camaraderie, establish professional contacts, and gain a common understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and authorities of an emergency management program.
For individuals new to the field, or transferring from another profession into emergency management, the Academy is the opportunity to get a standard and comprehensive grounding in all the key aspects of the field. The training objectives are based on the newly established emergency management competencies that the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), and State, local, tribal, and territorial emergency management professionals have established in coordination with the Emergency Management Institute (EMI).
Target Audience
The Academy has an entry-level curriculum designed for newly appointed emergency managers and staff from State, local, tribal, territorial, FEMA, and other Federal agencies, as well as prospective professionals transferring from another discipline to emergency management. Participants in the target audience will be selected based on their willingness to meet the prerequisites and their commitment to complete all requirements of the Academy.
Classroom Course Requirements
The Academy consists of the following classroom courses:
- E/L101, Foundations of Emergency Management (80 hours) 10 days
- E/L102, Science of Disaster (approximately 24 hours) 3 days
- E/L103, Planning (16 hours) 2 days
- E/L104, Exercise Design (16 hours) 2 days
- E/L105, Public Information and Warning (16 hours) 2 days
- Total course hours: 152 hours
Prerequisites
Prerequisite requirements to the classroom courses are four Independent Study courses. A participant must complete all of the prerequisite EMI Independent Study courses before submitting his or her application for the E/L101 course.
