As a highly skilled professional, we know you have received excellent training in being able to respond to just about any emergency or disaster.

But what about working with other agencies?

Have you trained across disciplines to gain a better understanding of what are the priorities and procedures of those organizations who will be working side-by-side with you during and after a major disaster event?

If Katrina taught us anything -- it's that we all must all do a better job of understanding the "bigger picture" -- understanding how all of the different organizations work and operate in what will no doubt be a highly-stressed, politically-charged environment. Successful management of future disasters -- whether natural or man-made -- will only be achieved if we all work and train well together.

That's why the University of North Carolina's comprehensive online disaster management program may be right for you. Developed five years ago by one of the top departments of Health Policy and Management in the country, the CPDM certificate program has admitted over 300 students and has received high praise from professionals in the field.

Our one-year program covers it all -- from understanding the current issues facing disaster management to the analytical methods used to evaluate risk, as well as the roles and responsibilities of federal, state and local governmental agencies.

In addition, our classes have professionals from a variety of backgrounds, thus providing a rich environment of peer networking and learning. For example, it's not unusual for us to have a class that includes veterinarians, fire and medical responders, public health officials, military personnel and community leaders. We not only encourage discussion among classmates, we also have you work together on 12-week projects. By project's end, you understand why and how the agencies around you plan and respond the way they do. In fact, some of the most important information sharing comes out of these projects.

If you've been thinking about expanding your individual knowledge or you want to advance your career in disaster management, this program is a perfect fit. We run two groups of students each year -- one beginning in July and another beginning in January. Our application deadlines are May 8 for July classes and November 8 for January classes.

 

 

"The UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Certificate of Community Preparedness and Disaster Management (CPDM) program is an excellent program that provides Emergency Management Professionals the tools and skills needed to hone their craft, and become more productive responders.

 

By asking the students to develop a peer rapport with other emergency professionals, the CPDM experience expands our critical thinking and demands that we craft proactive solutions to challenges in our home agencies.

 

Extensive background work with planning tools, working with the National Response Framework, and defining clear understanding of disaster planning and operations are a hallmark of the program. 

 

All of the skills that I have learned in the program have made me a better emergency manager, as well as a more agile responder.

 

The CPDM program is unique in its ability to draw differing perspectives from a vast array of emergency responders, and instill a confidence in our ability to meet emerging trends in Disaster Planning and Management."

 

-- Commander J. W. Billy Mitchell Response Department Head United States Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Wilmington, NC 28401