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Keep communities safe by planning, preparing and responding to disasters and emergencies.

CAREER OVERVIEW

Emergency Management is a dynamic and growing field. As the number and severity of emergencies and disasters grow, so too does the need for professionals with the knowledge and applied skills to help keep communities safe.

Emergency managers play a key role in helping communities and organizations plan, prepare and respond to critical incidents of all sizes. They work in many fields, helping businesses, cities, rural and Indigenous communities, or serve with an international organization like the United Nations or Red Cross.

They are called by many names and serve diverse roles: business continuity manager, emergency preparedness manager, emergency response coordinator, disaster management specialist, resiliency officer. While each job has its own specialty, they serve a similar purpose: keep their community or organization safe in the event of an emergency. Their expertise is in great demand at the local, national and international levels.

CAREER PROSPECTS

The career prospects in the emergency management field are fairly strong in this growing field. Job opportunities will be steady as many current professionals will be approaching retirement and the sector itself will grow over the next decade. Career opportunities are available in local, national and international markets. Applicants willing to relocate to pursue opportunities will have the most opportunities.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

  • Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills

  • Ability to develop positive relationships with diverse stakeholders

  • Ability to work under minimal supervision in stressful situations

  • Strong computer, office and project management skills

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

  • Knowledge of emergency management, usually gained through formal education and training

  • Relevant experience in a related emergency management activity, such as volunteering with community Emergency Support Services or a local Search and Rescue team

PROGRAMS

Explore programs in this area of study

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Crisis Communications
Emergency Management
Associate Certificate
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Emergency & Security Management Studies (BESMS)
Emergency Management
Bachelor's Degree
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Disaster Management (PBDDM)
Emergency Management
Post-Baccalaureate Diploma
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Exercise Design
Emergency Management
Associate Certificate
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Emergency Management
Emergency Management
Associate Certificate
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Emergency & Security Management
Emergency Management
Diploma

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BESMS gradute Mona Safar

JIBC degree helps grad pursue career in public safety

JIBC's Bachelor of Emergency & Security Management Studies has helped Mona Zafar pursue a career dedicated to keeping communities safe.

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Success Story - Josh Windsor

ONLINE FLEXIBILITY ATTRACTS STUDENT TO JIBC DEGREE PROGRAM

A life-changing volunteer opportunity led Saskatchewan’s Josh Windsor to the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) and its online Bachelor of Emergency & Security Management Studies (BESMS) program.

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BESMS student Tara Stroup presented on her capstone project on addressing the needs of people with mobility issues as part of emergency preparedness.

Emergency management programs help grad progress in her career

A major fire was burning at a strip mall in the downtown area of Port Coquitlam. Senior city staff were arriving to take their posts at the city’s emergency operations centre.

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Melodie Hutmacher is now working in her dream job in emergency management after learning of the growing field and completing JIBC’s Bachelor of Emergency and Security Management Studies program.

JIBC DEGREE HELPS GRAD REALIZE PASSION TO KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE

A few years ago, Melodie Hutmacher was searching for a career where she could make a difference. She found it at the Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC).

Today, Melodie is working in her dream job in emergency management helping to keep communities safe. 

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Hitoshi Igarashi recently completed course work in New Westminster as part of JIBC’s Emergency Management Certificate program. He hopes to adopt elements of the North American system of disaster response in Japan and other countries that he works with through the Community Emergency Management Institute of Japan.

JAPANESE STUDENT TAKES JIBC LESSONS HOME TO ASIA

Hitoshi Igarashi is no stranger to natural disasters. From the 2011 Fukushima incident and the Tohoku tsunami that followed in Japan to Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines and numerous disasters in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, he’s seen it all.

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Kevin Skrepnek, the chief fire information officer for the BC Wildfire Service, recently completed a Certificate in Emergency Management at JIBC to get a better understanding of the industry for which he’s now a spokesperson.

JIBC EDUCATION HELPS GRAD PURSUE CAREER IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

For several years now, Kevin Skrepnek has been the face of the BC Wildfire Service during the summer wildfire season.

As chief fire information officer, he serves as the spokesperson for the service ensuring the public receives critical safety information when they need it most.

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