• Jeff Jellets

Certified Emergency Manager Credential Bestowed On Two Salvationists

Orlando, FL (October 31, 2012) - In a ceremony at the 60 Annual International Emergency Management Association Conference in Orlando, FL, Major John Birks and Mr. Ross Patterson, both of The Salvation Army's North & South Carolina Division, were designated as Certified Emergency Managers (CEM).  Major Birks became the first Salvation Army officer in the country to earn the designation.  Mr. Patterson, who serves as the Carolina's disaster training coordinator, joins five other Salvation Army disaster service professionals who also carry the designation.

The CEM® designation is the highest honor of professional achievement available from the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), which has in its membership more than 5,000 emergency managers representing local, state, and federal government; private industry; and military emergency managers. The new class of CEM®'s join the 1,851 other emergency managers who were approved for the designation since January, 1993 bringing the total number of Certified Emergency Managers® to 1,904.

Commission Requirements

IAEM administers the program for the profession, and policy decisions and judgments are made by a Commission of respected professionals in the field. The USA-CEM® Commission met September 17-19, 2012 and approved applicants who successfully completed an extensive credentials package, a management essay and a written examination. The credentials requirements include experience, references, education, training, and contributions to the profession. The management essay requires respondents to submit a response to a scenario they might face while fulfilling emergency management responsibilities.

To maintain certification, CEM® recipients must submit additional training and contributions to the professional every five years.

CEM® Program

The emergency management certification program was developed over the last several years by IAEM with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and guidance from an advisory board which included professionals from a variety of disciplines and representatives of key groups with a stake in emergency management.

For more information on becoming a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or an Associate Emergency Manager (AEM), visit iaem.com