Careers in Emergency Management
- Homeland Security Officer
- Emergency Medical Technician
- Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator
- Emergency Management Specialist
- Public Information Officer
There are several high-paying careers in emergency management. Some require minimal training while others may require earning a degree. They all have one thing in common. The individuals who are pursuing these careers are committed to helping others and making our world a little better. Years ago, emergency management was just an area designed for emergencies like earthquakes, hurricanes or floods. Today emergency management has evolved into something that's used in all areas of our lives with many different professionals. Here are five high-paying emergency management careers.
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1. Homeland Security Officer
With the various threats and vulnerabilities the country has encountered in recent years, Homeland Security officers are more in demand than ever before. As a federal employee, the Homeland Security officer may work in several capacities, such as secret service agent, customs and border patrol officer or Homeland Security Investigations agent. Homeland Security officers usually have at least a bachelor's degree. To work as a Homeland Security officer, the candidate must also be U.S. Citizen and pass both a criminal background check and drug screening. PayScale reports that Homeland Security officers earned an average annual salary of $75,000 as of September 2018.
2. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
EMTs work in emergency rooms at hospitals, private facilities or may have other jobs and just be "on call" when needed. EMTs are highly trained professionals who work in emergency situations such as accidents or emergency illnesses that require the services of an ambulance and trained medical professionals. It's often due to the great care provided by EMTs that patients are able to be safely transported to a hospital. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that EMT must be licensed and certified. EMTs may not make the highest income ($30,884), but their job can be the most rewarding and is the most popular of emergency management careers.
3. Hospital Emergency Preparedness Administrator
With the healthcare industry growing at such a high rate, hospital emergency preparedness administrators are very much in demand. When emergencies arise, such as hazardous spills, hostage situations, natural disasters or power outages, it's up to the hospital emergency preparedness administrator to set up response plans as well as plants for prevention in the future. This position requires at least a bachelor's degree and a few years of work experience. Hospital emergency preparedness administrators earn an average annual wage of $66,713.
4. Emergency Management Specialist
The emergency management specialist is the professional who trains emergency personnel on how to handles emergencies in an efficient and effective manner. They also plan disaster response strategies and coordinate communication between various disaster relief agencies. The increasing number of natural disasters and national security threats in recent years has put the emergency management specialist very much in demand. These trained professionals earn an average yearly salary of $57,643.
5. Public Information Officer
Public information officers are the professionals in charge of an emergency agency's incident command structure. They must be knowledgeable of local, state and federal emergency regulations and must keep up with new laws. It is their responsibility to create an emergency preparedness plan for their organization. Public information officers also alert the public on warnings, evacuation orders, shelter and progression of events through any possible outlet. This position requires at least a bachelor's degree. They earn an average wage of $54,384.
Since 9/11, the role of the emergency management professional has changed. Many more people are interested in finding positions working in emergency services. There are also more programs than ever for individuals who want to obtain training to join this exciting field, making it easy than ever to become part of an emergency management team.