The Professional Development Series includes seven Emergency Management Institute independent study courses that provide a well-rounded set of fundamentals for those in the emergency management profession. Many students build on this foundation to develop their careers.
Students who complete all the courses will receive a PDS Certificate of Completion. The courses, in recommended order of completion, are:
IS-120.a An Introduction to Exercises
This Independent Study course introduces the basics of emergency management exercises. It also builds a foundation for subsequent exercise courses which provide the specifics of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEPP) and the National Standard Exercise Curriculum (NSEC). IS-120.a, An Introduction to Exercises, replaces IS-120, An Orientation to Community Disaster Exercises. At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Prerequisites: None.
CEUs: .5
IS-230.b Fundamentals of Emergency Management
The revised and renamed Fundamentals of Emergency Management course introduces the fundamentals of emergency management as an integrated system, surveying how the resources and capabilities of all functions at all levels can be networked together in all phases for all hazards. It is one in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Professional Development Series.
This course was previously titled “Principles of Emergency Management.” The title was changed to reflect the content and intent of the course. Persons who previously took Principles of Emergency Management (IS 230) are not be required to take Fundamentals of Emergency Management and will be given credit toward completion of the series for either.
At the conclusion of this course, the participant should be able to:
Primary Audience:This entry-level course is designed for individuals new to the field of emergency management or persons with a desire to understand the fundamentals of emergency management.
Prerequisites: While there are no prerequisites for this course, it is recommended that persons taking this course also take IS 700a (National Incident Management System, an Introduction) and IS 800b (National Response Framework, an Introduction).
CEUs: 1.0
Study Hours:The length of this course varies according to an individual’s reading and study styles. There are approximately 200 pages, including activities and knowledge checks in this downloadable course.
IS-235.b Emergency Planning
EMI has made revisions to this course. The course was aligned to the NRF and NIMS changes.
This course is designed for emergency management personnel who are involved in developing an effective emergency planning system. This course offers training in the fundamentals of the emergency planning process, including the rationale behind planning. It will develop your capability for effective participation in the all-hazard emergency operations planning process to save lives and protect property threatened by disaster.
Prerequisites: None.
CEUs: 1.0
IS-240.a Leadership
& Influence
EMI has made revisions to this course. The course was aligned to the NRF and NIMS changes.
Being able to lead others - to motivate them to commit their energies and expertise to achieving the shared mission and goals of the emergency management system - is a necessary and vital part of the job for every emergency manager, planner, and responder. This course is designed to improve your leadership and influence skills. It addresses:
Prerequisites: None.
CEUs: .9
Study Hours: 9
Point of Contact: Independent Study Office
at 301-447-1200
IS-241.a Decision Making &
Problem Solving
EMI has made revisions to this course. The course was aligned to the NRF and NIMS changes.
Being able to make decisions and solve problems effectively is a necessary and vital part of the job for every emergency manager, planner, and responder. This course is designed to improve your decision-making skills. It addresses:
Prerequisites: None.
CEUs: .8
Study Hours: 8
Point of Contact: Independent Study Office
at 301-447-1200
IS-242.a Effective Communication
EMI has made revisions to this course. The course was aligned to the NRF and NIMS changes.
Being able to communicate effectively is a necessary and vital part of the job for every emergency manager, planner, and responder. This course is designed to improve your communication skills. It addresses:
Prerequisites: None.
CEUs: .8
Study Hours: 8
Point of Contact: Independent Study Office
at 301-447-1200
IS-244.a Developing and Managing
Volunteers
EMI has made revisions to this course. The course was aligned to the NRF and NIMS changes.
This course is for emergency managers and related professionals working with all types of volunteers and coordinating with voluntary agencies. The course provides procedures and tools for building and working with voluntary organizations. Topics include:
Prerequisites: None.
CEUs: 1.0
Study Hours: 10
Point of Contact: Independent Study Office
at 301-447-1200