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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Emergency Response Manager

💰 $95,000 - $150,000

Emergency ManagementCrisis ResponseCorporate SecurityBusiness ContinuityRisk Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Emergency Response Manager serves as the strategic and tactical leader for all phases of the emergency management lifecycle: preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. This individual is tasked with developing a world-class crisis management program, ensuring operational readiness across all departments, and acting as the primary incident commander during emergencies. The goal is to minimize disruption, ensure life safety, and build organizational resilience against a wide spectrum of potential threats, from natural disasters to man-made incidents.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Emergency Planner / Coordinator
  • Business Continuity Analyst
  • Public Safety Officer / Law Enforcement / Fire Services
  • Security Operations Supervisor

Advancement To:

  • Director of Emergency Management
  • Head of Global Resilience or Global Security
  • VP of Risk & Safety
  • Chief Security Officer (CSO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Business Continuity Director
  • Physical Security Manager
  • Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, maintain, and continuously improve the comprehensive, enterprise-wide Emergency Response Plan (ERP) and associated protocols to ensure regulatory compliance and operational effectiveness.
  • Serve as the lead Incident Commander during emergency events, activating and managing the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to coordinate a multi-disciplinary response and maintain a common operating picture.
  • Design and execute a robust training and exercise program, including tabletop exercises, functional drills, and full-scale simulations, to validate plans and build organizational muscle memory for response teams.
  • Conduct comprehensive hazard identification and risk assessments (HIRA) across all facilities and operational areas to proactively identify potential threats and vulnerabilities, and recommend mitigation strategies.
  • Lead and facilitate the Crisis Management Team (CMT), providing strategic guidance, clear communication, and decisive leadership to senior executives during a crisis.
  • Manage and maintain all emergency response equipment, supplies, and facilities, including the EOC, communication systems, and survival kits, ensuring they are in a constant state of readiness.
  • Establish and nurture strong collaborative relationships and formal agreements with external public safety agencies, including police, fire departments, EMS, and local/state/federal emergency management offices.
  • Administer the organization's mass notification system, ensuring contact data is current and that protocols for its use are clear, tested, and effective for timely communication.
  • Develop and deliver targeted emergency preparedness training for all levels of the organization, from general employee awareness to specialized training for response team members.
  • Oversee the development and maintenance of site-specific emergency action plans for all company locations, ensuring they are tailored to local risks and regulatory requirements.
  • Coordinate post-incident recovery efforts, working closely with Business Continuity and department leaders to facilitate a swift and orderly return to normal operations.
  • Conduct thorough after-action reviews (AARs) and produce detailed reports following all incidents and exercises to capture lessons learned and drive continuous program improvement.
  • Integrate emergency management principles into new construction projects, facility modifications, and large-scale event planning to ensure safety is built-in from the start.
  • Manage the departmental budget for emergency management, including forecasting expenses, justifying investments in technology and equipment, and managing vendor contracts.
  • Provide 24/7 on-call availability to respond to emergent incidents and serve as the primary subject matter expert for all crisis-related matters.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive stakeholder communication plan for use during emergencies, ensuring timely and accurate information is disseminated to employees, customers, media, and other key parties.
  • Ensure strict compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations related to emergency planning and response (e.g., OSHA, EPA, NFPA).
  • Lead the recruitment, training, and management of volunteer employee response teams, such as floor wardens, first aid responders, and EOC support staff.
  • Evaluate, select, and implement new technologies and systems designed to enhance situational awareness, incident communication, and overall response effectiveness.
  • Prepare and present regular briefings and reports to senior leadership on program status, the current risk landscape, exercise outcomes, and incident responses.
  • Collaborate with the Business Continuity team to ensure a seamless integration between immediate emergency response actions and long-term business recovery strategies.
  • Act as the primary liaison with external crisis communication and public relations consultants during high-visibility incidents to ensure aligned and effective messaging.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the Physical Security team in developing threat assessment protocols and response plans for security-related incidents.
  • Contribute to the development of the organization's overall risk management framework by providing expert insights on operational risks and their potential impacts.
  • Represent the organization at local and regional emergency management forums, conferences, and working groups to stay current on best practices and build professional networks.
  • Assist the Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) team with specialized planning and response protocols for hazardous material incidents.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Incident Command System (ICS) & NIMS: Deep proficiency in ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS), typically evidenced by FEMA certifications (ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, 800).
  • EOC Management: Expertise in Emergency Operations Center (EOC) design, activation, technology, and management during a crisis.
  • Business Continuity (BCP): Strong understanding of Business Continuity Planning (BCP) and Disaster Recovery (DR) principles and their integration with emergency response.
  • Risk Assessment: Proven ability to conduct Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRA) using established methodologies.
  • Exercise Design (HSEEP): Skill in designing, conducting, and evaluating exercises based on frameworks like the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).
  • Mass Notification Systems: Hands-on experience managing enterprise-level mass notification platforms (e.g., Everbridge, OnSolve, AlertMedia).
  • Crisis Management Technology: Familiarity with crisis management software and Common Operating Picture (COP) platforms.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Working knowledge of relevant safety and emergency regulations (OSHA, EPA, NFPA).
  • Crisis Communications: Ability to draft and disseminate clear, concise, and accurate information during a crisis.
  • Physical Security Principles: Understanding of physical security concepts, including access control, surveillance, and threat assessment.

Soft Skills

  • Calmness Under Pressure: Exceptional ability to maintain composure, think clearly, and make sound decisions in high-stress, rapidly evolving situations.
  • Decisive Leadership: Confidence to take command, provide clear direction, and lead teams effectively during ambiguous and chaotic events.
  • Cross-Functional Communication: Superior ability to communicate complex information clearly and concisely to a wide range of audiences, from front-line employees to senior executives.
  • Strategic & Critical Thinking: Skill in rapidly analyzing complex problems, identifying key issues, and developing effective solutions under time constraints.
  • Stakeholder Management: Adept at building rapport and influencing stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership and external agency partners.
  • Empathy & Compassion: Ability to manage crisis situations with a strong sense of empathy for those impacted by the event.
  • Public Speaking & Presentation: Polished presentation skills for delivering training, briefing leadership, and representing the organization externally.
  • Problem-Solving: A proactive and resourceful approach to overcoming obstacles and finding practical solutions to complex challenges.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Emergency Management, Homeland Security, or Public Administration.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Emergency Management
  • Homeland Security
  • Public Administration
  • Business Continuity
  • Criminal Justice
  • Environmental Health & Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

8-12 years of progressive experience in emergency management, law enforcement, fire services, corporate security, or military operations, with at least 4 years in a direct leadership or program management role.

Preferred:

  • Professional certifications such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), or similar are highly valued.
  • Direct, hands-on experience managing a corporate or government Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during real-world incidents is strongly desired.
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