Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Emergency Planner

🎯 Role Definition

As an Emergency Planner, you will be the cornerstone of our resilience and preparedness efforts. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of emergency management, from proactive planning and risk assessment to coordinating response activities during a crisis and leading recovery efforts afterward. This dynamic role requires a strategic thinker who can collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including public safety agencies, government officials, private sector partners, and community groups, to build a robust and effective emergency management program. You'll be instrumental in preparing our organization and community to effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from any emergency or disaster.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Emergency Management Intern/Assistant
First Responder (Police, Fire, EMS)
Public Safety Dispatcher
Military Personnel (Logistics, Operations, Planning)

Advancement To:

Senior Emergency Planner
Emergency Management Coordinator / Manager
Director of Emergency Management
Regional Emergency Management Director

Lateral Moves:

Business Continuity Planner
Corporate Security or Risk Manager
Public Health Preparedness Coordinator
Homeland Security Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, review, and maintain comprehensive, all-hazards Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs) and associated annexes in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
Conduct and regularly update Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA) and Hazard Vulnerability Analyses (HVA) to inform planning and mitigation priorities.
Design, coordinate, and evaluate a wide range of training exercises, including tabletop, functional, and full-scale simulations, in accordance with the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
Prepare and disseminate detailed After-Action Reports (AARs) and Improvement Plans (IPs) following exercises and real-world incidents to foster continuous improvement.
Serve as a key planner and operator within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), supporting activation, situational awareness, and resource coordination during emergencies.
Develop and deliver engaging emergency preparedness training programs for internal staff, response partners, and the general public.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, non-profits, and private sector partners.
Research, write, and manage grant applications to secure funding for emergency management equipment, training, and programmatic initiatives.
Ensure all planning and response activities are compliant with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS).
Develop and maintain Continuity of Operations (COOP) and Continuity of Government (COG) plans to ensure essential functions can be performed during and after a disruption.
Manage and maintain inventories of emergency resources, equipment, and supplies, ensuring they are ready for deployment.
Develop and test public information and warning systems and protocols, including emergency alert systems and social media strategies.
Provide expert guidance and technical assistance to senior leadership and other departments on emergency management policies, procedures, and best practices.
Coordinate planning for the access and functional needs of vulnerable populations before, during, and after an emergency.
Review and update mutual aid agreements and other inter-agency compacts to ensure robust response capabilities.
Analyze data related to potential threats, past incidents, and demographic trends to enhance preparedness strategies.
Lead and participate in community outreach and public education initiatives, such as preparedness fairs and community meetings.
Procure, implement, and manage emergency management technologies, including incident management software and mass notification systems.
Interpret and apply complex federal and state regulations, guidelines, and mandates related to emergency preparedness and homeland security.
Support long-term recovery planning efforts, including coordinating damage assessments and accessing state and federal recovery programs.
Create and update detailed maps and other geospatial products using GIS software to support situational awareness and operational planning.

Secondary Functions

Serve on a rotational on-call or duty officer schedule to provide 24/7 emergency management support and initial incident assessment.
Represent the organization at local, regional, and state emergency management meetings, workshops, and conferences to share information and best practices.
Assist in the development of public awareness campaigns and community outreach materials related to disaster preparedness (e.g., brochures, website content, social media posts).
Provide technical support and subject matter expertise on emergency management principles to other departments and partner agencies during their own planning processes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

NIMS & ICS Proficiency: Deep understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS), with FEMA certifications for ICS-100, 200, 700, and 800 (ICS-300/400 strongly preferred).
Emergency Planning: Expertise in developing and implementing plans based on the four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Exercise Design (HSEEP): Proven ability to design, facilitate, and evaluate exercises using the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) methodology.
Technical Writing: Exceptional writing skills for creating clear, actionable plans, grant narratives, After-Action Reports (AARs), and official correspondence.
EOC Operations: Competency with Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activation, operations, and management, including experience with EOC software like WebEOC.
Mass Notification Systems: Proficiency with emergency notification and mass communication platforms (e.g., Everbridge, Rave Mobile Safety, CodeRED).
Risk Assessment: Experience conducting Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA) or Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (THIRA).
Grant Management: Knowledge of grant writing, application processes, and financial administration for programs funded by FEMA, DHS, and other sources.
Public Speaking & Training: Strong public speaking and presentation skills for delivering effective training and briefing senior leadership, elected officials, and public audiences.
Project Management: Ability to lead complex planning projects from conception to completion, managing timelines, resources, and stakeholder expectations.
GIS Technology: Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software (e.g., ArcGIS) for mapping and spatial analysis in an emergency context.

Soft Skills

Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal skills to build consensus and work effectively with a wide array of stakeholders from different disciplines and backgrounds.
Crisis Leadership: Demonstrated ability to remain calm, think clearly, and make sound, ethical decisions in high-stress, rapidly evolving situations.
Analytical Thinking: Strong analytical and critical thinking abilities to assess complex information, identify core problems, and develop innovative solutions under pressure.
Adaptability: A high degree of adaptability and flexibility to manage competing priorities, respond to unforeseen events, and adjust strategies as a situation unfolds.
Communication: Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Problem-Solving: A proactive, results-oriented approach to problem-solving with a strong sense of initiative and ownership over the preparedness program.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Emergency Management or Disaster Management
Homeland Security
Public Administration
Public Health or Environmental Science
Urban Planning

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in emergency management, disaster preparedness, business continuity, or a related public safety field.

Preferred:

5+ years of experience, preferably in a municipal, county, or state-level emergency management agency or a large, complex organization. Professional certification such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) from the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) is highly desirable.