Becoming an Emergency Manager: More than Education and Training

Emergency managers (EMs) play a critical role in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from crises that affect communities, institutions, and entire regions. Whether coordinating resources during natural disasters or managing the aftermath of human-caused incidents, EMs are expected to make swift, impactful decisions in high-stakes situations. While formal education and training are essential for providing a solid foundation—teaching protocols, systems, and theoretical knowledge—they are only part of what makes a truly effective EM.

A common misconception among new entrants to the field is that education alone can fully prepare them to excel. The reality is that experience plays an equally crucial, if not more important, role. Beyond the classroom, it is the real-world application of that knowledge, exposure to unpredictable situations, and the human dynamics of emergencies that shape a successful EM. It is through lived experiences—often in the thick of crisis—that the true instincts and skills needed to handle the complexities of disaster management are developed.

Education and Training: The Backbone

Formal education and training are the foundational building blocks of any emergency management career. They provide aspiring EMs with the essential theoretical knowledge and technical skills needed to navigate the complex landscape of emergency response and disaster management. Through education, professionals learn the intricacies of incident command systems, the application of federal, state, and local policies, as well as procedural guidelines that structure responses to a wide array of crises. This foundation ensures that EMs can understand and apply best practices, maintain compliance with regulatory frameworks, and efficiently coordinate resources in an emergency.

However, while education is essential, it is only the beginning. Formal training prepares EMs to follow protocols, but it does not fully equip them for the human elements of the job. In the real world, emergencies are not just about logistics, policies, and checklists—they involve people. No textbook can replicate the stress of making life-or-death decisions while managing the emotions of victims, coordinating with multiple agencies, and responding to the chaos of evolving situations. Education provides the structure, but it does not develop the instincts, emotional intelligence, or nuanced decision-making that come from years of direct experience in the field.

The Value of Experience

To become a truly effective, emergency manager, one must complement formal training with lived experience, learning to read the subtle cues and manage the unpredictable human dynamics of a crisis. This is what separates the great emergency managers from the good ones. Experience builds the kind of muscle memory that education alone cannot provide. Repeated exposure to real-world emergencies sharpens an EM’s instincts and intuition in ways that no classroom setting can replicate. It’s in the field, faced with unpredictable events and rapidly changing situations, where the lessons learned through experience are imprinted.

Over time, great emergency managers develop the ability to read subtle signs—those small, almost imperceptible cues that indicate an impending escalation or shift in an emergency situation. Perhaps it’s the way a crowd begins to shift uneasily or the barely noticeable strain in a responder’s voice over the radio. These subtle signals, which may go unnoticed by the inexperienced, become key triggers for action. Through countless responses to crises, an EM learns to anticipate what may come next, sensing trouble before it fully manifests.

This intuitive sense—the ability to foresee problems and adapt quickly—doesn’t come from textbooks. It comes from being in the trenches, responding to real-world emergencies, and learning from every success, mistake, and challenge faced along the way. Each experience builds a deeper understanding of how emergencies unfold, what human behaviors emerge, and how best to navigate the complexities of high-stress situations. It is this accumulation of lived experience that transforms theory into practice, preparing an EM to make quick, effective decisions when every second counts.

Decision-Making in the Heat of Crisis

Amid an emergency, decision-making becomes an intricate balancing act, a chaotic symphony where the stakes are high and time is unforgiving. Imagine the scene: the screams of victims fill the air, sweat drips down the back of responders, and the clock relentlessly ticks away, each second amplifying the pressure. It is in these moments when every choice has immediate consequences, that the true complexity of emergency management unfolds. No amount of classroom learning can fully prepare someone for the real, visceral pressure of making critical decisions in the heat of a crisis.

Every decision during an emergency is a delicate equation, where variables are constantly shifting. Emotional pressure mounts as the severity of the situation escalates, but a seasoned EM draws upon their accumulated experience, using intuition to quickly assess the rapidly changing dynamics. In the chaos, they must not only process the available data but also weigh the human factors—panic, fear, exhaustion, and confusion—all while keeping their focus on what needs to be done.

The lived experience becomes a vital compass in these moments. It guides EMs through the noise, helping them discern which actions will yield the best outcomes. The emotional weight of the situation, combined with split-second evaluations, pushes emergency managers beyond the procedural knowledge learned in the classroom. These moments are when raw human instincts, honed by years of experience, converge with professional training to make decisions that can mean the difference between life and death. It is a mental and emotional endurance test, one that can only be truly mastered through firsthand experience.

Climbing the Ladder: A Message to New Entrants

For new professionals entering the field of emergency management, it's natural to aspire to climb the ranks quickly and make an immediate impact. However, the road to becoming a seasoned emergency manager is not a fast or easy one. It requires years of dedication, hands-on experience, and exposure to a wide variety of scenarios—each with its own unique challenges and lessons.

The complexities of emergency management cannot be mastered overnight. It’s not just about knowing the protocols or mastering the technical skills learned in training. True expertise comes from navigating real-world emergencies, making decisions in high-pressure situations, and learning from both mistakes and successes along the way. Each crisis brings new insights, and it’s through this cumulative experience that an EM truly grows.

Patience is key. There is no substitute for the wisdom gained through time and experience. New entrants should focus on building a strong foundation by seeking out opportunities to be involved. Gaining diverse, real-world experience—whether by responding to small incidents or supporting large-scale disasters—will prepare you for the greater responsibilities that come with higher roles. Remember, every emergency manager who has reached the top did so by learning, growing, and working through years of challenges. Experience is the true ladder to success in this field.

Seek Opportunities: Gaining Experience

While formal education and training provide a strong foundation, nothing compares to the lessons learned from being on the ground during actual emergencies. This is where theory meets reality, and where the most valuable skills are honed.

One of the best ways to build this experience early in your career is by seeking out opportunities to volunteer with organizations like NGOs, VOADs, and other disaster relief agencies. These groups are often on the front lines during crises and provide invaluable opportunities for new emergency managers to get hands-on experience. Whether it’s assisting with disaster response, logistics coordination, or serving in an operations center, every experience adds to your ability to handle complex emergencies in the future.

Even volunteer roles, though they may seem small, are essential in building the instincts and intuition needed to navigate high-pressure situations. Working directly with affected communities, managing the unpredictability of disaster zones, and making on-the-spot decisions all contribute to your growth as an EM. Over time, these experiences become the foundation upon which you will rely when facing larger and more challenging scenarios later in your career. Volunteering not only builds your skills but also allows you to make a meaningful impact while continuing to learn and grow.

Conclusion

While education and training are vital components of an emergency manager's foundation, they represent only the beginning of a long and rewarding journey. Becoming a truly effective emergency manager requires much more than theoretical knowledge; it demands hands-on experience, a deep understanding of human nature, and the ability to navigate the emotional complexities of crises.

As you embark on your career in emergency management, remember that each experience—whether a success or a setback—contributes to your growth and understanding of the field. Embrace the challenges, learn from every situation, and be open to the lessons that come from real-world encounters.

Patience, persistence, and dedication are key as you work to gain the invaluable experience that will shape your career. The path may be long and at times daunting, but the skills, instincts, and insights you develop along the way will prepare you to handle the most pressing emergencies with confidence and compassion. In time, you will find that it is this blend of education, experience, and human connection that defines a great emergency manager. Embrace the journey, and let it guide you to excellence in your profession.