How can you constantly learn and grow in your Emergency Management career?

Someone once told me Emergency Managers require “knowledge a mile wide and an inch deep”. This quote serves as a reminder how diverse and challenging Emergency Management is. Continue to engage in current issues, academic resources, and trainings.

If you are comfortable, then its probably time to change roles and learn something new. What aspect of your job do you know the least? Consider that your next target.

Over the years, I’ve found it helpful to get out of your office, city, county, and gain perspective from other jurisdictions and conferences. The key point here is that there are so many people that have successes and success stories that you could learn, and replicate in your EM office.

Continuous learning in Emergency Management involves staying updated with industry developments, attending relevant workshops and courses, networking with peers, and seeking mentorship. Participate in simulations, drills, and real-world exercises. Analyze past incidents for improvement. Maintain an open mindset, prioritize self-improvement, and adapt to emerging trends and technologies, ensuring ongoing growth in your career.

Soak in the knowledge from those who have been in the field for a long time. Don’t discredit those who have been around for a long time in your workplace - sometimes there are negative stigmas around these individuals in a workplace, but they often have a lot of knowledge and experience to offer. Ask questions, get to know them, hear their experiences and what they would do differently maybe. Learn and grow

Emergency management is everything or nothing at all. I was fortunate enough to learn this perspective while attending the Naval Postgraduate School Center for Homeland Defense and Security. This opportunity provided a different lens into how EM fits into the homeland security enterprise, and how the homeland security enterprise fits in EM. Note: this masters degree is free, yet very competitive. An excellent opportunity to network and gain insight from major players.

Seek education outside of the emergency management field as well. EM is essentially project management, be well versed in project management principals and methodologies beyond just the scope of emergency planning.

There are often a lot of free or affordable options that can be sought out to grow your knowledge base and gain training in emergency management. Look at college courses or through your municipal/provincial/territorial government to see if anything is being offered. Learning from those in the field is the most valuable thing you can do when entering this line of work.

Volunteer in communities that require immediate and long term preparedness and regeneration. Share knowledge and remain observant.

There are so many sub-sets of Emergency Management with specialized focuses, but with that there are also many networks that support these sub-sets. Whether it be through IAEM, other major professional groups, or even just LinkedIn, I have seen dozens of different EM groups with a focus on a particular niche area of the industry. Don't see one that fits your needs? Start one! You can easily create a LinkedIn group to start and invite your connections that have likeminded interests.

Over the past two decades, let’s say post 9/11, all National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) Sectors have implemented some form of an Emergency Management program. Emergency Management professionals seeking to gain broad experience and growth opportunities need no longer look for EM jobs in communities or state EM agencies. Today, agencies and organizations such as public health, healthcare, transportation, energy and water utilities, education, finance and more are looking for EM talent for their Crisis Management, Business Continuity, Resilience, Risk Management, and Security groups. Private sector organizations in the service and manufacturing sectors also need talent to monitor, prepare for, and manage risk and impactful events.

Find a mentor. Seek out someone in the field who has reached a level you aspire to attain someday. You might find this person in your workplace, on LinkedIn or within your professional network. Ask if they are interested in being a mentor. It sounds corny, but you’d be surprised how many folks are willing to help out a fellow professional. An engaged mentor can connect you to knowledge, opportunities, and accelerate your professional development.

I have found that my public safety experience informs my current role in emergency management. Specifically, it’s beneficial is that I have the lens from the preparedness and response aspect, as well as an understanding of what/who’s involved in the planning and recovery. What’s the point? Gain insight and experience from anyone, or any position, that will have a seat at the emergency management table. You may learn about different capabilities, needs, strengths and weaknesses.