EXEMPLARY PRACTICES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management (NCCEM) Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) Program
Program Description: Requirements for acceptance to the program to recognize achievements in emergency management include minimum credentials in the areas of experience, references, education, training, and contributions to the profession, as well as a management essay, which requires respondents to submit a response to a scenario they might face while fulfilling their responsibilities. Beginning in 1998, applicants must also successfully complete a multiple-choice test.
A brochure with more information is available through NCCEM headquarters; upon enrollment, candidates receive a complete application booklet with all instructions and forms needed to complete a CEM application package.
Evaluation Information: Since project startup, 624 emergency management professionals have earned the Certified Emergency Manager designation, including 10 from Canada, 1 from the Virgin Islands, 1 from Wales, and 1 from Costa Rica. As of July 1995, 1,646 had enrolled to pursue the CEM. About 10 percent of candidates serve in the military, and every branch is represented.
The International City & County Management Association has recommended its constituents give preferential treatment to certified applicants applying for emergency management positions.
Annual Budget: NCCEM is a nonprofit, charitable organization. Annual CEM program expenses are about $65,000.
Sources of Funding: Expenses are covered by enrollment and application fees, $75 and $250, respectively. Non-NCCEM members pay slightly higher fees.
Applicants' submissions (which may include portfolios and descriptions of their experience in emergency management) are evaluated by a commission made up of volunteers from local emergency management, allied disciplines, academia, private industry, and the military. Although the commission's time is donated, funding for the CEM Program covers expenses such as travel, administration, and overhead.
Program Type: Recognition for managers of emergency management programs; professional credentialing/certification program.
Target Population: People responsible for emergency management programs such as those in local government, business and industry, military installations, health care facilities, or educational institutions.
Setting: Primarily nationwide, but a few international participants have signed up to pursue the CEM, as well.
Project Startup Date: 1993.
Contact:
Elizabeth B. Armstrong, CAE
Executive DirectorNational Coordinating Council on Emergency Management
111 Park Place
Falls Church, VA 22046-4513
Tel: 703-538-1795
Fax: 703-241-5603
E-mail: nccem@aol.com
Last Modified: Wednesday, 29-Mar-2006 12:34:51 EST