The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operates the Emergency Management Institute, which coordinates the curriculum for all sanctioned disaster management courses in the United States. Though EMI does coordinate special classes for higher-level officials at its Maryland headquarters and elsewhere across the country, there are a range of independent study classes online. Click on the class on the FEMA website, read the description, then download the study materials in PDF format. When you think you're ready for certification on that subject, click on the class's "Take Final Exam" link. The certification process is free but only available to U.S. residents.
Many of the classes available online for independent study through FEMA are geared toward certain professionals within the country's emergency management heirarchy, such as "Emergency Manager: An Orientation to the Position," "Deployment Basics for FEMA Response Partners" or a class on making a building survive an earthquake. But several other classes are geared for a much broader audience, such as "An Introduction to Hazardous Materials" or "Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness." More than 5,000 attend a classroom-based course overseen by EMI every year; about 100,000 people take an EMI online course every year.
Many courses offered by FEMA online are geared toward average citizens aiming to prepare for the next unforeseen disaster. This not only includes a citizen's guide to household chemicals or planning for children's needs during a disaster. For farmers, "Livestock in Disasters," may have an impact. A course like "Protecting Your Home or Small Business From Disaster" could benefit anyone. Though some workers are made to take these courses for continued career advancement, many others merely take the courses to better protect their families.
EMI isn't the only organization providing comprehensive courses in disaster management, though many of the alternatives aren't offered as a public service. The University of Washington, for instance, gears an online master's degree program toward infrastructure planning for disaster resilience. Others, like American Public University coordinate online bachelor's or master's programs on emergency and disaster management, as well as a graduate certificate program. Prices vary, depending on the institution.