Members of staff at the Department of Disaster Management have been approved by the Certification Commission of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) to receive Emergency Manager Credentials.   

Director of the Department of Disaster Management, Sharleen DaBreo, MBE and Deputy Director, Dr. Evangeline Inniss-Springer both received the Certified Emergency Manager designation which is the highest honour of professional achievement available from the IAEM; while Acting Senior Administrative Officer, Janisha Sergeant received the Associate Emergency Manager designation. These are the only Emergency Managers in the Region to have achieved these levels of certification.  They join other emergency managers across the globe who have been approved for the designation since January, 1993.  

Director DaBreo explained that with the Department gaining international accreditation in 2015, members of staff were encouraged to sit the IAEM examinations.  The exams where administered in the BVI by members of the Commission in April, 2017 and those who successfully passed were authorised to provide evidence to support the other aspects of the certification requirements.

The Director explained, “It is important that the staff be recognised for their knowledge and skills in the field of Disaster Management. The certification is a requirement for all members of staff to achieve as part of their professional development plan.”

She added, “It is an important designation for them as it demonstrates that they have the knowledge, skills and ability to effectively manage a comprehensive emergency management programme.  Four other members of staff have applied for the certification and expect to get their results in 2019.”

IAEM has in its membership more than 6,000 emergency managers representing professionals whose goals are saving lives and protecting property and the environment during emergencies and disasters.  

IAEM administers the programme for the profession, and policy decisions and judgments are made by a Commission of respected professionals in the field. The Certification Commission 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 recipients must submit additional training and contributions to the professional every five years.

The emergency management certification programme 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.

The Department of Disaster Management officers will be awarded their diploma and lapel pin at the IAEM 67^th Annual Conference and Exhibit in Savannah, Georgia on November 20, 2019.

Note: 

Janisha Sergeant  receives international Associate Emergency Manager certification from the International Association of Emergency Managers