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Emergency Management and Business Continuity Course Descriptions

EMERG 102: Intro to Emergency Mgmt and Homeland Security

Credits: 5.00

Provides a foundation and overview of both disaster and emergency management for homeland security. Addresses issues, policies, questions, best practices and lessons learned through recent years. Overview of standards on emergency management and business continuity, and exposure to new and developing theories, practices and technology in emergency management. 

Course Level Objectives

  1. Identify and define the essential elements of an effective emergency management program.
  2. Identify and define the roles, responsibilities, and functions of the professional emergency manager in addressing holistic community needs.
  3. Identify the different roles and responsibilities of community, local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, citizens, the private sector, and volunteer groups in the emergency management process.
  4. Provide an overview of characteristics of disasters and their impact on population, infrastructure, and emergency management systems.
  5. Describe the components of an emergency plan and principles that guide the planning process.

EMERG 115: Basic Incident Command System

Credits: 2.00

This course introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher-level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles and organization structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Course Level Objectives

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the Incident Command System (ICS) and the general staffing structure within the ICS.
  2. Identify the five major management functions within the ICS.
  3. Explain the roles and responsibilities of the Incident Commander and Command Staff.
  4. Describe the advantages of common communication and information management standards.
  5. Describe how the NIMS affects the way resources are managed.

EMERG 125: All Hazards Emergency Planning

Credits: 3.00

This course is designed to introduce students to developing an effective emergency planning system. This course offers training in the fundamentals of the emergency planning process, including the rationale behind planning. Emphasis will be placed on hazard/risk analysis and planning team development. Other topics, such as Continuity of Operations (COOP), Emergency Support Functions, National Response Plan, Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and contingency planning for areas such as Special Needs (Vulnerable Populations) or Animal Sheltering are included. Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: EMERG 102.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe the components of an emergency operation plan, including resources and national standards that can be used in the planning process.
  2. Describe the need and process for a comprehensive emergency plan and Continuity of Operations (COOP).
  3. Identify methods for estimating hazard exposure and methods of risk communication.
  4. Develop an Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) that complies with state and federal guidelines and regulations.

EMERG 137: Technology in Emergency Management

Credits: 3.00

This class provides a detailed overview of the technology used and applied in the field of emergency management. Students will learn how to utilize technology in emergency planning, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts and they will identify key elements that must be in place for technology to enhance the emergency management process.  Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in EMERG 102.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Compare the range of technologies available for emergency management use.
  2. Utilize technology and access data. 
  3. Identify legal, ethical, and social elements in the employment of a technology. 
  4. Demonstrate a working level knowledge of developments in technology. 
  5. Research the potential impact of new technologies on emergency management.

EMERG 155: Special Topics in Emergency Management

Credits: Maximum of 5.0 possible

Classes, workshops or seminars of current interest in emergency management. S/U grade option.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Present areas of current interest in emergency management as determined by the instructor.

EMERG 157: Public Information

Credits: 2.00

This course will prepare students to support emergency management public information operations, including integration with a Joint Information System, use of a Joint Information Center, coordination with on-scene public information officers, use of alert and warning systems, emergency and routine information distribution (including media and social media), and ensuring appropriate messaging for the whole community. Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: EMERG 102.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe characteristics and responsibilities that make an effective public information officer.
  2. Describe guidelines for department policies, which guide public information functions.
  3. Describe purpose, elements, and roles in a joint information system.   
  4. Describe various types of alert and warning systems.    
  5. Identify access and functional needs that must be addressed in public messaging. 
  6. Create messages that are appropriate for specific audiences and platforms.

EMERG 162: Emergency Response Awareness to Terrorism

Credits: 5.00

Provides current and relevant information about terrorism, terrorist behavior, homeland security policies and dilemmas, and how to deal effectively with threats and the consequences of attacks. Student will gain insight into the key players involved in emergency management, local and state issues, particularly as they need to interact and work with FEMA and other federal agencies. Course components include identifying terrorism, causes of terrorism, preventing terrorist attacks, responding to terrorism attacks, and avoidance in communication and leadership collapse.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Examine terrorism and the risks associated with terrorist incidents.
  2. Explain the basic terms and concepts associated with terrorism incidents.
  3. Compare and contrast different missions of homeland security.
  4. Recognize and evaluate the characteristics and most frequent causes of terrorism and terrorist behavior.
  5. Examine the evolution of terrorism in the United States and other countries.
  6. Compare and contrast the positive and negative features of modern news coverage of terrorism.
  7. Assess and analyze the threat of terrorism including ways to increase physical security and prevent terrorist attacks.

EMERG 182: Public Administration

Credits: 3.00

This course provides an overview of the structure and issues of public service. Course participants will examine the context of public administration: the political system, the role of federalism, bureaucratic politics and power, and the various theories of administration that guide public managers today. 

Course Level Objectives

  1. Explore the context, nature and structure of public administration in America. 
  2. Compare and contrast the political, legal and social environment of public administration. 
  3. Discuss the nature of the decision-making process in public administration.
  4. Explain the budget process and planning. 
  5. Discuss the impact and influence of government regulation and administrative law over public affairs.

EMERG 200: Emergency Operations Center

Credits: 2.00

This course provides the student with skills and knowledge to manage an Emergency Operations Center (EOC), acquire and control resources, and interface with on-scene responders within Incident Management Systems. Topics include EOC design, preparing, staffing and operating, jurisdictional setting, and the critical link between Incident Management Systems and emergency management operations. Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: EMERG 102.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe and analyze the functions of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and general elements of EOC design.
  2. Analyze and differentiate the relationship between the incident management systems and emergency management operations.
  3. Formulate and assess staffing, operational, and jurisdictional needs when implementing or operating an EOC.

EMERG 210: Exercise Design and Evaluation

Credits: 3.00

This course provides participants with the knowledge and skills to develop, conduct, evaluate and report effective exercises that test a community's operations plan and operational response capability. Throughout the course, participants will learn about topics including exercise program management, design and development, evaluation, and improvement planning. It also builds a foundation for subsequent exercise courses, which provide the specifics of the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and the National Standard Exercise Curriculum (NSEC). Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: EMERG 102.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Describe the exercise design process.
  2. Identify hazards that affect a community or organization.  
  3. Develop a purpose statement for an exercise.
  4. Develop objectives for an exercise.
  5. Design a discussion based exercise.
  6. Develop exercise evaluation support material.

EMERG 222: Managing Volunteer Resources

Credits: 2.00

This course will focus on methods and procedures for involving volunteers in emergency management programs, with the goal of maximizing the effectiveness of volunteer resources.  Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: EMERG 102.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Correlate the skills and knowledge required of volunteers in emergency management programs. 
  2. Describe how volunteers can be used most beneficially to meet an agency's needs.
  3. Analyze the steps in developing a volunteer program.
  4. Develop a volunteer policy and job description.
  5. Outline strategies for recruiting, retaining, assigning, training, supervising, and evaluating volunteers.
  6. Analyze the role of volunteers and voluntary agencies in providing emergency assistance. 
  7. Describe methods that will ensure cultural humility and equity in managing volunteers in a diverse community.

EMERG 240: Disaster Recovery

Credits: 2.00

The purpose of this course is to enable students to understand and think critically about disaster recovery operations in the profession of emergency management. Students will utilize problem-based learning by analyzing actual disaster events and applying the theories, principals, and practice of disaster recovery. In addition, students will learn about the issues faced by the whole community and how to address access and functional needs in disaster recovery.  Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: EMERG 102.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Examine what occurs during a disaster and the impact it has on people, property and the environment. 
  2. Differentiate between the responsibilities of the local government after a disaster versus those of the state and federal government.
  3. Analyze human responses to disasters.
  4. Examine the process through which public and individual assistance may be obtained. 
  5. Describe special issues during recovery.
  6. Apply principles and practices of disaster recovery in case studies.

EMERG 252: Homeland Security Law and Policy

Credits: 4.00

This course is designed to give the student an overview of various statutes, regulations, constitutional law, and common law associated with Homeland Security Emergency Management. Students will be introduced to the legalities and ethics relevant to organizing for counterterrorism, investigating terrorism and other national security threats, crisis and consequence management. Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: EMERG 102.

Course Level Objectives

  1. Compare and contrast an effective policy with a poor policy. 
  2. Discuss ethical, legal, and social issues in Homeland Security.
  3. Examine local, state, and federal dynamics involved with the introduction and implementation of new laws and regulations.  
  4. Explain laws and legal issues related to a disaster risk problem.
  5. Describe important statutes and policies enacted post 9-11and their impact on emergency management.

EMERG 291: Emergency Management Internship

Credits: 5.00

Workplace experience to practice and demonstrate the skills relevant to performing the job(s) of an emergency management or business continuity professional. Workplace and volunteer experience to observe, practice and demonstrate the skills relevant to performing the job(s) of an Emergency Management professional. Students must have completed 80 percent of EMERG courses. Permission code required. S/U grade only. 

Course Level Objectives

  1. Obtain Emergency Management work experience through volunteering, job shadowing, interning with an organization doing emergency management related work. 
  2. Working with site supervisor develop and submit internship learning objectives that outline what the student will be evaluated on as part of their internship experience.
  3. Using internship forms, track and document hours completed and submit all required internship forms and documentation.

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