Disaster Relief Professionals

Disaster relief professionals (also known as emergency managers or emergency workers) are trained in a variety of disciplines in all aspects of emergency response, preparation, relief and mitigation. Disaster relief work encompasses the preparation of government and community officials so that they will be able to effectively respond to and act in the event of an emergency situation. Training for professional disaster relief is usually provided by local, state, federal and private groups. This training in the United States prepares individuals for disaster relief work following National Incident Management System (NIMS) guidelines, which were established in 2004 by the United States Department of Homeland Security.

What is NIMS?
NIMS is an emergency response system that is designed to improve preparation, coordination, and incident management in the event of a crisis requiring disaster relief. The system is designed to coordinate disaster relief work teams in the federal, state, and local agency levels. The NIMS is a system that was designed and implemented into the United States after the events of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. It improves aspects of preparation, response, and prevention of a similar attack or an equally devastating disaster. Possible disaster relief work under the NIMS structure includes acts of terrorism, an urban fire, floods, nuclear disasters, earthquakes, power storms such as hurricanes and typhoons, war-related incidents, etc.

Emerging Field of Disaster Relief and Emergency Management:
Traditionally, disaster relief was primarily populated by members of the military whom are specifically trained to work in quick-response emergencies. The field of disaster relief has become much more diverse in recent years, with many people with many different specializations trained under the NIMS structure. There has also been an emergence of undergraduate and graduate degrees in disaster relief and emergency management. Professional certifications for disaster relief work include Certified Emergency Management (CEM) and Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP). These certifications are increasingly becoming more needed as standards for emergency response and disaster relief are raised all the time.

Professionals Helping Disaster Relief in other Ways:
Other professionals provide unconventional contributions to the disaster relief work field, such as memory institution workers. This includes employees at museums, historical societies, and libraries. They are dedicated at preserving cultural heritage and memories, preserving records of historical areas of history. Preserving these memories raises awareness of some of the worst disasters that have occurred in recorded history. This can greatly contribute to the effort of preparedness in the event of a disaster.

Some professionals focus on mitigation purposes. They ensure that building codes are up to standard if they reside in an area prone to hurricanes or earthquakes. Professionals make sure that buildings are retrofitted with safety and structural mechanisms. This includes having sprinklers installed or other safety measures. Professionals attend workshops to update their knowledge with valuable tools and resources that will minimize risk and in turn, help in the disaster relief process.