Finalizing emergency management professionalization in 2024

Jennifer Carlson

doi:10.5055/jem.0866

Authors

Jennifer Carlson, PhD, CEM®, LCSW https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6340-898X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0866

Keywords:

professionalization, emergency management, disaster, emerging profession

Abstract

This editorial discusses the urgent need to finalize the emerging emergency management profession. Points of reference in the years immediately preceding and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic are recounted and frame some of the essential forward work slated to be started or completed this year in 2024. Activity taking place by connected associations and members of the emerging profession is shared. Legislation filed in Massachusetts to finalize the emerging profession is also shared. Activities needed for the emerging profession are described, and how professionals can help in their role to continue to move these fundamental initiatives forward is outlined. Present considerations should be accounted for, as they threaten the fabric of the emerging profession while at the same time giving us undeniable reasons for why we need to finalize this critical work in 2024 before the next major global disaster.

Author Biography

Jennifer Carlson, PhD, CEM®, LCSW

Anna Maria College, Department of Emergency Management, Paxton, Massachusetts; International Association of Emergency Managers Co-Chair, Higher Education Academician Caucus, Professionalization Subgroup Lead

References

Msemburi W, Karlinski A, Knutson V: The WHO estimates of excess mortality associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Nature Rev. 2023; 613(1): 130-137.

Waugh WL: From the editor. J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(3): 166. 3. Rubin CB: Emergency Management the American Experience, 1900-2010. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2012.

Birkland TA: Focusing Events, Mobilization, and Agenda Setting. Jrnl Pub Pol. 1998. 18(1): 53-74.

Collins ML, Kapucu N: Early warning systems and disaster preparedness and response in local government. Disaster Prev Manag. 2008; 17(5): 587-600.

Blackburn CC, Shelke S: The lingering impact of Hurricane Katrina: Examining the physical health, mental health, and racial equity impacts of disaster response. J Emer Manag. 2022; 20(1): 9-15.

Gray JR: Professionalization of emergency management: Are we our own worst enemy? J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(2): 136-138.

Urby H, McEntire DA, Urby MV: The legitimacy challenge facing emergency management: Learning from the public administration experience. J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(3): 167-176.

Cwiak CL: Forging our own path: Emergency management’s pathway to power. IAEM Bulletin. 2022; 39(2): 15-17, 20.

Wood E, Frazier T: Disasters, community vulnerability, and poverty: The intersection between economics and emergency management. J Emer Manag. 2021; 19(3): 227-233.

Sevinson TW: Status of the Profession of United States Emergency Management: An Exploratory Analysis Based on Select Attributes of Occupational Closure [dissertation]. Jacksonville, FL: Jacksonville State University, JSU Digital Commons, 2018: 4.

Hollar TL, Erickson TB, Patel SS, et al.: Stressors and Mental Health Survey of Emergency Management Professionals: Factors in Recruiting and Retaining Emergency Managers. J Emer Manag. 2022. Available at https://wmpllc-org.ezan.ez.cwmars.org.3443/ojs/index.php/jem/article/view/3449/3740. Accessed March 23, 2024.

Carlson J: Exploring the professionalization of the emergency management field: A qualitative analysis [dissertation]. Minneapolis, MN: Capella University, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, 2015: UMI3735146.

Carlson J: Exploring the components needed to further the professionalization of the emergency management field: A qualitative analysis. 2023. Manuscript submitted for Publication.

Kaster E: Are we there yet? Exploring the professionalization of emergency management in the state of Maine [thesis]. Naval Postgraduate School, Dudley Knox Library, 2021: Publication No. 861219.

Council of Social Work Education: Governance. About CSWE, 2024. Available at https://www.cswe.org/about-cswe/governance/. Accessed March 24, 2024.

Council for the Accreditation of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Education: About us. About CAEMHSE, 2024. Available at https://www.caemhse.education/about-us. Accessed March 24, 2024.

Waugh WL, Sadiq AA: Professional education for emergency managers. J Emer Manag Rev. 2011; 8(2): 1-6.

Waugh WL, Goss KC: The history of higher education in emergency management: The Emergency Management Institute, The National Science Foundation, and the William Averette Anderson Fund. J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(1): 7-12.

Cwiak CL: Framing higher education and disciplinary efforts through a professionalization lens. J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(1): 61-66.

Mann RA, Shaw GL: How university students perceive emergency management: A case for marketing emergency management. J Emer Manag. 2021; 19(3): 266-272.

Freitag B, Hicks TH, Jerolleman A, et al: Storytelling—plots of resilience, learning, and discovery in emergency management. J Emer Manag. 2020; 18(5): 363-371.

da Silveira WG, de Lima EP, Deschamps SE, da Costa SEG: Identification of guidelines for Hoshin Kanri initiatives. International J Productivity Performance. 2018; 6(1): 85-110.

Aguilar Yuste M: Leadership and emotional intelligence during a crisis. Revista de Relaciones Internacionales. 2021; 16(2): 47-60.

Patel SS, Sukhovii O, Zvinchuk O, et al.: Converging impact of the ongoing conflict and COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and substance use disorders in Ukraine. J Emer Manag. 2021; 19(9): 65-68.

Lafortune JF, Waller E: Nuclear emergencies and natural disasters. J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(4): 257-269.

Demiroz F: The use of social media during disasters: The development of the literature, its current topography, and future challenges. J Emer Manag. 2020; 18(3): 221-235.

Hertelendy AJ, McNulty EJ, Burkle FM: The new normal: A catalyst for leadership adaptation in a tumultuous world—Let’s stop applying 20th century solutions to 21st century problems in emergency management. J Emer Manag. 2021; 19(4): 323-325.

Carlson J, Vieira D: Resolve providing for a special commission on the field of emergency management. Legislation. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2024. Available at https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/HD3209. Accessed March 24, 2024.

International Association of Emergency Managers: History of the caucus and related items. IAEM, 2024. Available at https://www.iaem.org/Portals/25/documents/2024/EMAcademician-Caucus-History.pdf. Accessed March 24, 2024.

International Association of Emergency Managers: IAEM-USA Higher Education Academician Caucus. IAEM USA Caucuses. Available at https://www.iaem.org/groups/us-caucuses/Higher-Education-AcademicianCaucus. Accessed March 24, 2024.

International Association of Emergency Managers: Professionalization Issue Paper. March 2024.

International Association of Emergency Managers: Accreditation Issue Paper. March 2024.

International Association of Emergency Managers: 2024 legislative and policy priorities. IAEM, 2024. Available at https://www.iaem.org/Portals/25/documents/2024/Government%20Affairs/2024%20Legislative%20Priorities.pdf?ver=2024-03-22-163804-817. Accessed March 24, 2025.

Big City Emergency Managers: Available at https://bigcityem.org/. Accessed June 18, 2024.

Musalam AMA, El-Ashgar NM, Al-Agha M, et al.: Emergency management during wars: Case study Umm Al-Nasr Village “Bedouin Village.” J Emer Manag. 2020; 18(4): 311-323.

Wendelboe AM, Miller A, Drevets D, et al.: Tabletop exercise to prepare institutions of higher education for an outbreak of COVID-19. J Emer Manag. 2020; 18(2): 183-184.

Petersen R. The Soviet inheritance. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Available at https://thebulletin.org/2022/10/the-russian-biological-weapons-program-in-2022/#:~:text=The%20Trilateral%20Agreement%20was%20finally,stockpiled%2C%20or%20stored%20biological%20weapons. Accessed March 25, 2024.

World Economic Forum: Global cybersecurity outlook 2023: Insight report. World Economic Forum, 2023. Available at https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Security_Outlook_Report_2023.pdf. Accessed March 25, 2024.

Feldmann-Jensen S, Jensen SJ, Maxwell Smith S, et al.: The next generation core competencies for emergency management. J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(1): 17-25. Jensen J, Kirkpatrick SJB: Exploring the job placement of recent emergency management graduates. J Emer Manag. 2020; 18(4): 325-339.

Maxwell Smith S, Feldmann-Jensen S: Code of ethics and professional standards of conduct for emergency management professionals. J Emer Manag. 2024; 22(1): 7-22

Schneider RO: Emergency management in a changing climate. J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(6): 487-495.

Hertelendy AJ, Waugh WL: Emergency management missing from the pandemic? J Emer Manag. 2021; 18(7), 149-150.

Waugh WL: From the editor. J Emer Manag. 2019; 17(3): 166.

Hubbard J: Quotes. Good Reads. Available at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7538582.James_Hubbard. Accessed March 25, 2024.