Hello,

Hope all are doing well .

I have been a IT Specialist (Reservist) just a little above 1 yr now & have successfully done 2 Deployments(each for 1.5 month) .

I had the below Questions.

1. With all the Hurricanes in texas ...etc ..Are reservists getting any new Deployments(taking into consider the chaotic FEMA Situation).

Actually because of the Tough Job Market , I am unable to get outside employment.(No Secondary EMployment)

So FEMA is my only & only Job.

2) Are there any possibilities of converting from Reservist(Trainee) to IM-Core.( I see some positions for Core on websites).

Any Responses is Highly Appreciated.

John.

After a decade of corporate events management, I left my career due to severe burnout from working to make someone else lots of money. Then I took a temp job with FEMA that lasted only a few months before I was told my position would not be renewed and I could not apply for a full-time position because of the federal hiring freeze. I loved that job, I loved having a mission to make things better, despite all the challenges. I finally found my calling. I've gotten certified in ICS-100, 200, 700, and 800. I'm a Red Cross volunteer in Disaster Damage Assessment and Sheltering. I'm taking the free online courses for CERC (the ones available on YouTube). Now I'm grinding through the job applications, trying to find someplace that can use my proven operational and logistical skills and abundant desire to learn and grow in the field. Does anyone have any advice? I know that volunteer experience and becoming well-versed in the subject is important, but I do have bills to pay. Thanks for anything yall can give me!

I recently got accepted into a CERC program. It’s a 10 month program with a stipend that will help train me in emergency response coordination. It comes with the chance to be deployed to a disaster for up to 2 weeks and to get real hands on experience in the EM field.

I’m incredibly excited but also a bit nervous. Has anyone else ever been through a program like this or similar?

Any advice is appreciated!

Looking through their website it seems like a pretty good organization. There is certainly a need to help people break into the field.

O m little g! I was wondering why I haven't really heard her in the news for over a week!

So currently I’m a full time firefighter for a big city, also did a few years active in the Coast Guard. I’m looking to use my GI Bill and was interested in the online masters in emergency & Disaster management at Georgetown. I don’t have any plans on leaving my department anytime soon, unless some good doors opened up. Is this a program that’s worth taking if it’s free to me? I think a career in emergency management is a natural progression based on my background and something that interests me. Just looking for some input!

I’m a Canadian in my third year of an Environmental Studies + GIS degree. I’m interested in the emergency management field, but have no idea where to start. Is it true that you have to have experience in police, military, firefighting, etc in order to get an EM job? My school has an emergency volunteer team and I’m planning to join it to gain some experience. Are there any certifications or skills I should develop to set myself up for EM jobs in the future? Thanks.

So I found this list of benefits for FEMA Reservists online and I'm wondering if anyone can tell if benefits for NDMS (National Disaster Medical System) reservists are the same? I know both are protected by USERRA so Im guessing they should be similar benefits wise but I know they are different departments. Thanks.

Okay this may be a very stupid post. But hello, hi. I am a Residential Assistant in training at my college and this course was something I have been noted to take. However, I have taken the final exam 6 times. And have failed every single time. And I’m beginning to question, whether or not it’s me or if it’s the system. (AKA; am I stupid?)

I have reviewed the material, and the videos and everything. And yet alas, I see the “unfortunately…” screen. I have spent multiple days and hours on this.

Please tell me if I’m just crazy and stupid or if it’s genuinely something I should reach out about.

Question for you all: I’m an aspiring non-profit entrepreneur working on building a disaster response and recovery team. From your perspective, what do you see as the strengths and weaknesses of non-profit assistance during disasters? Where do you feel organizations like ours can be most helpful, and where do you think we should step back?

For context, our team would bring paramilitary-style experience in search and rescue, first aid, and heavy vehicle/equipment operations.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/marincounty/jobs/5043189/senior-emergency-management-coordinator-gis-or-alert-and-warning?page=3&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Marin County is just North of San Francisco on the opposite side of the Golden Gate Bridge. Beautiful area, but expensive to live in.

https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USDHSFEMA/2025/08/16/file_attachments/3358263/FEMA%20Daily%20Ops%20Briefing%2008-16-2025.pdf

Hi everyone, I just finished my first FEMA IS course and went to write the final and got hard stopped not having an American mailing address (I'm Canadian). Are these finals/certificates only issued to Americans? Is there a work around? Any info is appreciated!

With Erin looking healthy and increasing in intensity, I’m curious how the EM pros on the east coast are feeling right now with federal funding being pulled left and right from FEMA. Are you seeing any local or state programs gearing up to have to take the brunt of the responsibility for when a hurricane inevitably makes landfall this season?

Curious if there’s been any developments or preparations going down on a lower level. Or if there’s an uneasy calm before the storm (no pun intended)

These kids didn't deserve to be treated better!

I am working on gathering everything to submit for my CEM, what is the best way to package the certs, diplomas, letters, etc. Are we just sending files, putting it all into a PDF, etc? Thanks all

I vote for Saint Murphy.

His gospel is simple:

Disasters strike at the worst possible time.

The thing you didn’t plan for will lead the evening news.

Your backup plan will fail exactly when you need it.

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_gpd_fy2025-preparedness-grants-manual_082025.pdf

Recently updated. I dont see anything hugely problematic, but didn’t review in detail.

With the need for redundant systems and a variety of options to choose from, we are evaluating our current setup.
Currently we use satellite phones and one of our forms of backup comms. (Also have ham radio capability) We are exploring the idea of getting rid of the sat phone and getting Starlink. The thought being we could use it for internet, VOIP phones and possibly to make calls from cellphones. I do know that T-Mobile was working on a joint venture with Starlink as well.
Has anyone made this switch and gone away from satellite phones?

What has been your experience or other technology you have leveraged?

I’m signed up to take the Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals (AHEPP) exam this month. Has anyone taken it before? I’m doing all the readings and I’m curious what kind of questions they ask? scenario based? Or should I truly know the definition of “Risk”word for word

Also only in my career about 2 years so any other insight to certification exams is welcome