UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education Announces a New Specialized Studies Program in Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery

IRVINE, CA – The ability to respond effectively to disasters is essential to keeping populations safe and ensures the continuity of essential services and business operations, as well as keeping losses at a minimum. To meet the growing demand of this job field, the University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) has launched the Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery Specialized Studies Program. This in-depth, four-course online program is designed for participants new to the field or for those looking to enhance their professional credentials to effectively respond to human-caused, natural, or technology-related disasters. Taught by leading industry experts who address real-world emergency and disaster recovery topics, registration for the first online course, “Emergency Management: Business Continuity Planning” is currently open for the summer quarter. 

A free webinar titled, “2017 Disasters in Review: Be Prepared at Home, School & Work” will take place on Thursday, June 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PDT. The presentation will include insights on safety and preparedness from Todd T. De Voe, M.P.A., the host of the EM Weekly Show and practicing emergency manager along with Susan Zielan B.A., M.A., a disaster recovery expert. Together, they will explore the concepts of preparedness at home, school, and work. 

“Completion of this specialized studies program will provide participants a comprehensive understanding of emergency response techniques and the ability to properly plan a course of action when they are faced with a harrowing situation,” says Dave Dimas, Ph.D., director of engineering and sciences at UCI Division of Continuing Education. “Whether a seasoned professional or someone new to the position, it is extremely important to stay educated on the newest techniques when dealing with disasters. Participants will find that this program’s curriculum will prove to be invaluable.”

Program participants will learn skills that are necessary when mitigating, responding, preparing for, and recovering from a variety of disasters. In addition, participants will gain practical knowledge from experts in the field, learn how to create effective response, hazard, and risk analysis plans and how to reduce and/or eliminate long-term risks and hazards. An overview of how to apply regulations, standards, and tools that govern emergency management, such as the National Fire Protection Association’s National Preparedness Standard, National Incident Management Systems, and the Standard Event Management Systems is also included. 

The four required courses offered include:
Emergency Management: Business Continuity Planning (Summer Quarter) – Explores the practical steps necessary to develop and test a plan to assure continuity of business operations. Learn about professional practice subject areas including: risk evaluation and control, business impact analysis, developing and implementing business continuity plans, awareness and training programs, and exercising and maintaining business continuity plans.

Response & Recovery Management (Fall Quarter) – Offers insight into effective response and recovery operations after a disaster. The course will examine the nature of disasters as well as the roles and responsibilities of various actors involved in emergency management. Popular myths and realities regarding human behavior in catastrophic events in addition to divergent approaches for disaster management will be reviewed as well.

Principles of Emergency Management (Winter Quarter) – Provides an overview of emergency management with a focus on the roles of local, county, state, and federal government, nonprofit agencies, and the business community. In addition, the topic of regulations and standards that govern emergency management will be covered.

Disaster Mitigation (Spring Quarter) – Teaches the ability to analyze each phase of the hazard mitigation process and how these integrate with the resources and plans associated with government entities.

For more information about the Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery Specialized Studies Program or to register for the course, please visit here or call 949/824-5414. To register for the free webinar, please visit here.

About UCI Division of Continuing Education
The University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education (DCE) provides lifelong learning opportunities to thousands of students worldwide each year—fulfilling the school’s 60-year curriculum platform to connect degree programs to the world of work and achievement after graduation. The Division offers a broad range of certificate programs, specialized studies, and sequential courses to local, regional and global markets through online, on-campus and on-site delivery. A leader in the open education movement, the Division offers free Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) and content through the UCI Open initiative. For more information about UCI Division of Continuing Education, visit here.

About the University of California, Irvine
Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation, and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 28,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities, it’s Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $4.8 billion annually to the local economy.

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