What Are the Duties of Emergency Managers?

Emergency managers can work in a variety of environments. From the corporate sector to public safety and security, emergency managers play an important role in creating emergency procedures, managing crisis situations and implementing emergency plans. An emergency manager can work long hours when a disaster strikes and must be able to communicate with other emergency and safety agencies.

Crisis Management

• An emergency manager acts as a corporate or public relations specialist when a disaster happens. Performing the role as a crisis management liaison, the emergency manager provides status updates to executive management if he or she works in a corporate setting or reports information to the public if the position is an office of public service.

Emergency Management Plan Development

• Emergency managers are responsible for developing emergency management plans. These plans include procedures that are implemented during and after a disaster. After creating an emergency plan, the emergency manager must communicate the plan to executive management or public officials and the community. The emergency manager also ensures that emergency management plans are constantly reviewed and updated.

Emergency Response Group Coordination

• Emergency managers must be able to coordinate with other emergency managers, safety groups and public service organizations during a crisis and under extreme pressure. Special skills such as public speaking and the ability to write detailed reports are necessary to coordinate emergency response teams while communicating with key officials within an organization or in the public.

Logistics Management

• The emergency manager must understand logistics, including the procurement of items for safety, safety devices and mechanical items used to handle large equipment. The emergency manager is also responsible for identifying emergency supplies and establishing a corporate security plan for his or her organization to protect resources during an emergency.

Command Center Communication Development

• When a disaster is imminent, the emergency manager must ensure that all emergency radio channels are clear and ready to be used for implementation of the emergency plan. The command center concept involves the emergency manager and his subordinates, working with other teams and establishing radio communications with organizations such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), other public safety officers, fire, police and special operations personnel.

Technology Management

• Emergency managers must have knowledge of computers, including how to use technology to help simulate disasters and possible solutions to avoid or limit the impact of disasters. The emergency manager should know how to process data and write reports using computer software.