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Emergency Manager

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Explore Being an Emergency Manager with Derek Calzadilla

ambulancecz:Briefly describe your job.

I worked as a School Safety Coordinator for a state-level emergency management agency. My responsibilities included: reviewing emergency response plans, conducting safety assessments of school facilities, and training school and public safety officials on issues relating to school safety. Additionally, I served as an Intelligence Officer during activations of the state emergency operations center.

cz:How long have you worked in this field?

I worked in emergency services in some capacity for over 16 years. After doing volunteer search & rescue for 3 years, I worked as a Health & Safety Instructor then School Safety Coordinator, and finally, Safety Officer for a private company. Today, I am a Science Teacher and leader of a First Aid Team.

cz:When and how did you decide to choose this career?

I first became interested in emergency services while volunteering with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (also known as the Civil Air Patrol). I joined because of my love of flying but soon found myself training to be part of their ground search & rescue team. I trained in basic first aid, CPR, radio communications, and search techniques. Not long after joining, I went to the local community college to complete training as a First Responder and then an Emergency Medical Technician.

cz:What education and training did you receive before entering your field?

I completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and earned a certificate as an Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. Additionally, I completed as much related training as I could find including: American Red Cross disaster courses, the Miami Dade Police Citizen's Academy, Security Officer D License Training, and various FEMA Independent Study Courses. After entering the emergency management field, I completed training in school safety, terrorism response, crisis intervention, and critical incident stress debriefing. Most of this training was provided by my employer.

cz:How did you begin OR what was your first job in the field?

My first paid job was as an American Red Cross Health & Safety Instructor. Additionally, I volunteered with my American Red Cross local Disaster Action Team while still doing search & rescue with the Civil Air Patrol.

cz:Describe a typical day on the job?

On any given day, I usually had at least 1 meeting scheduled in the community with a school administrator to provide technical assistance or conduct a safety assessment. Upon return to the office, I typically returned a few calls to provide technical assistance or schedule meetings. My afternoons could be spent reviewing 1 or 2 emergency response plans and generating reports of my findings. Many days, however, were spent in training-related activities including conducting trainings, speaking at conferences, or attending trainings myself.

cz:What do you like most about what you do?

I always had to be ready for the unexpected. My position required that I serve as a liaison between the state and school officials in any emergency involving one of my assigned schools. Additionally, working in an emergency management agency meant that everyone had a second job during activations of the state emergency operations center. In short, you get the insider's view of real disaster response and recovery operations and help serve your community. That was exciting and rewarding.

cz:What has been the most rewarding experience so far in your career?

Using my emergency medical technician skills to save the life of a 7-year-old drowning victim.

cz:What do you like least about your job?

Because I worked for a government agency, many of our activities and media opportunities served a political purpose. The agency was a very high profile organization known throughout the state, and upper management often worked closely with state government officials. Many social interactions I witnessed seemed calculated and artificial. (I will not say which state.)

cz:What is the biggest challenge for you in this job?

Being constantly stretched and challenged in new ways. I was only on the job 3 months when I was asked to do a radio interview. At the time, I was very new to the field of school safety and very nervous. In the first year-and-a-half, I did a radio interview, spoke at 3 conferences, and appeared in 2 training videos. The opportunities were endless.

cz:What would you like to say to someone considering this career?

Emergency management is a great, high-level, exciting career with many opportunities to learn, grow, and contribute. Positions can involve lots of travel too. Become an expert in emergency management or one area of public safety such as law enforcement, fire services, or emergency medical services. Other useful specialties include: communications, nursing, mental health, public administration, and civil engineering.

cz:What are the most important personal and professional skills necessary to succeed in your field?

A person should be able to work through emergencies calmly and rationally. Many positions require flexibility as one is usually "on-call" to respond to emergency situations. Emergency management also involves a lot of networking, as public safety officials collaborate and train together to respond. Other necessary skills include: public speaking, good writing skills, and time-management skills.

cz:What would a person interested in entering this field have to do to get a good job in it?

I would suggest a bachelor's degree as a minimum (eventually a Master's) in a related field (i.e. emergency management, public administration, criminal justice, etc). Additionally, many agencies today look for the Emergency Manager Certification. This is the industry standard. There are also many FEMA Independent Study courses available online (for free) that can get you started today on your career. Finally, I highly recommend getting some volunteer experience in an organization like the American Red Cross, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Volunteer Fire Department, etc. Demonstrate your real interest to employers with some experience or training.

cz:What could someone who is interested in this field do to learn more about it right now?

What could someone who is interested in this field do to learn more about it right now? Visit your local emergency management office and speak with someone in operations about their work. Visit the National Emergency Management Association website at www.nemaweb.org. Become familiar with your county's emergency management website and note what they are doing to make you more safe. Join a professional organization.

cz:Is there any general advice you would like to offer to students on making a career choice or on work life itself?

Be sure you really are interested in your work. You will have a much better chance at being highly successful if your work pulls you. Never stop learning. Decide to become an expert in your field, and you will always be in demand.

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