From readiness and recovery from natural disasters and terrorist attacks to public
health initiatives and homeland security operations, the Emergency and Disaster Management
program at Harper College prepares you to become a leader in public service.
Harper offers an AAS degree and certificate programs in emergency and disaster management,
as well as a public safety dispatcher program. Coursework covers a range of topics,
including hazardous materials, terrorism, psychology, hazard analysis and mitigation,
and incident management systems.
Graduates have excelled in positions such as emergency services manager, environmental
compliance planner, and emergency disaster coordinator.
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It only takes 20 seconds to get started!
Earn a career-ready degree
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed to prepare you for immediate entry into this career field. Coursework
in the AAS may also prepare you to transfer to a four-year college or university.
To learn more, visit our Transfer Information page or see your advisor.
Jumpstart your career by learning new skills through a certificate program. Many of Harper's certificates are stackable to a degree program through
additional coursework.
Learn more about career outcomes for Harper's Emergency and Disaster Management degree/certificate
programs. Each career profile offers a complete picture on the local job market, including
salaries, open positions, top local employers and more. To learn more, visit ourEmergency and Disaster Management Careerspage.
Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster
preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g.,
hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant
emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.
Core tasks:
Consult with officials of local and area governments, schools, hospitals, and other
institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster
or other emergency.
Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar
entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges
of personnel and equipment.
Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations,
opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness
plans.
Operate telephone, radio, or other communication systems to receive and communicate
requests for emergency assistance at 9-1-1 public safety answering points and emergency
operations centers. Take information from the public and other sources regarding crimes,
threats, disturbances, acts of terrorism, fires, medical emergencies, and other public
safety matters. May coordinate and provide information to law enforcement and emergency
response personnel. May access sensitive databases and other information sources as
needed. May provide additional instructions to callers based on knowledge of and certification
in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical procedures.
Core tasks:
Provide emergency medical instructions to callers.
Question callers to determine their locations and the nature of their problems to
determine type of response needed.
Determine response requirements and relative priorities of situations, and dispatch
units in accordance with established procedures.
Receive incoming telephone or alarm system calls regarding emergency and non-emergency
police and fire service, emergency ambulance service, information, and after-hours
calls for departments within a city.
For more information about starting your college education at Harper, please contact
Admissions Outreach at 847.925.6700 or fill out our request information form.
