WWU Offers Online Emergency Management Certificate Program
Completion of Western Washington University's 24-credit program ensures that participants meet a base level of training and prepares individuals to sit for the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) exam administered by IAEM. WWU is an accredited university and is consistently ranked as one of the top public regional universities in the western United States.
Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) December 23, 2010
Western Washington University offers an Emergency Management Certificate program via online classes. The courses are designed for the public and will provide training suitable for a variety of emergency management professions, from public administration and public health to emergency administration and planning. Formal admission to WWU is not required to enroll in the program, and participants can start the program in any one of four quarters: winter, spring, summer or fall.
WWU’s certificate program provides the academic background established by the Higher Education Project at the Emergency Management Institute at FEMA and International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) as essential for an effective Emergency Manager. Completion of the 24-credit certificate program ensures that participants meet a base level of training and understanding, and prepares individuals to sit for the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) exam administered by IAEM.
“The field of Emergency Management is one of the fastest growing professions in the U. S. and the WWU certificate is a valuable credential to add to a person’s skill set and resume. Certified Emergency Managers or working professionals teach each of the courses and provide real world information and scenarios based on their unique experiences,” said Ariel Cleasby-Heaven, Program Manager.
Western Washington University is an accredited university and is consistently ranked as one of the top public regional universities in the western United States. The online classes are taught over a 10-week period corresponding to the University’s quarter schedule. Up to three courses are offered each quarter. Because classes are taught asynchronously, attendance is not required on any specific day or time.
During the program, students will learn about disaster and hazard mitigation, business continuity (keeping a business running in a time of crisis), and emergency response planning using the model “Mitigate, Plan, Respond, Recover.” In addition, students will learn how to respond to hazardous materials and bio-terrorism, determine critical infrastructure, define vulnerable populations in a disaster, and understand the roles of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and National Incident Management System (NIMS).
The following courses are available this winter:
Principles and Practices of Emergency Management
This overview course provides an introduction to society’s organized response to natural and technological hazards and disasters in the United States. Examine the events that threaten communities and challenge those who are responsible for the lives, safety, and well-being of others. Explore the history and evolution of emergency management from citizen volunteer activities to the organization systems in the public and private sectors. Course will include an expanded look at the history of disaster and its consequences in the United States. An overview of risk assessment will be included, along with an examination of the basic tenants of sustainable communities and their role in disaster mitigation. An overview of communication issues relevant to emergency management will also be provided.
Course instructor, Nicholas L. Crossley, MSW, CEM is the Assistant Director of Johnson County Emergency Management and Homeland Security in Kansas City, Mo. Crossley received his CEM in 2002 and the Kansas Emergency Management Certification in 2001. He serves as Vice-Chair of the International Association of Emergency Managers – Certified Emergency Manager Commission. Crossley was recognized as Emergency Management Professional of the Year in 2001 for the state of Kansas. He is an E-Map assessor and has taught several online emergency management courses.
Law and Policy of Emergency Management
Discuss the Stafford Act, legal processes related to emergency management and their effect on social change, delivery systems, and affected populations. Readings encompass the intent, development and use of legislative, judicial, administrative, and policy/procedural systems within Federal, State, and local levels of government.
Course instructor, Jason Lum, JD, MPA, earned his JD at the University of California, Berkley with a concentration in Constitutional Law and received his MPA at Harvard concentrating in Law and Public Policy. Lum recently earned an executive certification in management from MIT’s Sloan School. Academic honors include the Prosser Award (Ethics) and National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Scholarship at UC Berkley, John F. Kennedy Fellowship and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship at Harvard. Lum has taught Public Policy Implication of Terrorism Legislation and Policies and A Systematic Approach for Emergency Preparedness at the doctoral level.
Emergency Management and the Challenge of Terrorism
Survey acts of political terrorism, ranging from low-level threatening acts to acts of violence that present significant risk to human life and property (including large-scale acts of violence using "weapons of mass destruction" that have devastating long-term effects). This course will address the nature and many forms of terrorism as well as policies and programs to reduce risk from the consequences of terrorism.
Course instructor, Keith Earnshaw, PhD, earned his MS in Health Physics/Environmental Toxicology and BS in Environmental Health from Purdue University, and his PhD in Engineering Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic. Dr. Earnshaw is president of Earnshaw Environmental, which supports the Department of Homeland Security’s REP Program. His firm develops technical training seminars and courses in the areas of radiation safety and dose assessment, risk management, and environmental analysis.
WWU’s winter quarter begins January 4 and prompt registration is encouraged to reserve your space in the course. Details are on the Web site, http://www. EmergencyMgmt. wwu. edu or contact Ariel. Cleasby-Heaven(at)wwu(dot)edu or call (360) 650-3717 for more information.
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