Mar 28, 2024  
2020-21 Gaston College Catalog 
    
2020-21 Gaston College Catalog [THIS CATALOG IS OUT-OF-DATE. USE THE CURRENT CATALOG TO FIND CURRENT PROGRAMS.]


Public Safety

Emergency Management, A.A.S. (A55460)



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The Emergency Management curriculum, which has emerged from the Fire Protection Technology program, is designed to provide students with a foundation of technical and professional knowledge needed for emergency services delivery in local and state government agencies.

Studies involve both management and technical aspects of law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, and emergency planning. Course work includes classroom and laboratory exercises to introduce the student to various aspects of emergency management, protection, and enforcement. Student will learn technical and administrative skills such as investigative principles, hazardous materials, codes, standards, emergency agency operations, and finance.

Employment opportunities include ambulance services, fire/rescue agencies, law enforcement agencies, fire marshal offices, industrial firms, educational institutions, emergency management offices, and other government agencies. Employed personnel should have opportunities for skilled and supervisory-level positions.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

  1. Recognize different disciplines (law enforcement, fire, ems, public health) and agencies associated with emergency management/preparedness, express their importance, their roles and responsibilities, and demonstrate the functions of emergency management/preparedness.
  2. Recognize and understand emergency preparedness practices from the public and private aspects, and laws relating to these practices including:
    a. Fire and building codes, national standards, state and federal laws, private industry certification, and FEMA recommended practices.
    b. Business continuity, response, recovery, mitigation, prevention, and preparedness practices.
  3. Develop, design, and effectively deliver presentations and disseminate information to the public and to their peers, through direct delivery, electronic delivery, and social media outlets, to include utilization of technical devices.
  4. Develop an understanding of how emergency services equipment is purchased, the processes it is purchased through, alternative and supplemental financing, and the financial and budgetary processes associated with local government. Additionally, students will develop an understanding of dissemination of funds from outside agencies and corporations.
  5. Develop emergency operations management, to include emergency operations and assistance of private sector companies, from accepted tactics and strategy practices, national standards, and applicable State and Federal laws.
  6. Understand emergency services organizations, rank structure, and management required for effective training, communications, operations, and overall success of the organization.
  7. Explain and demonstrate the requirements for an effective and successful overall emergency management program to include: NIMS compliance, all hazards operations, the Incident Command System, Incident Action Plans, Hazard Mitigation, and the development of a comprehensive local Emergency Action Plan.

General Education Courses


Total Credit Hours: 27


Major Electives


Select 22 credit hours from the following courses. A student may choose up to six (6) credit hours of WBL courses.

Total Credit Hours: 22


Total Program Hours: 65


Note(s):


**Students wishing to pursue a four-year degree should complete

  or higher for the mathematics requirement and complete a foreign language course in addition to the fine art/humanities elective.

***Upon successful completion of the Emergency Management A.A.S. Degree, students are eligible to receive the NC Office of Emergency Management “Type III Emergency Management Coordinator” certification. The student has to submit the proper paperwork and a copy of their degree to receive the certification. This is a nationally recognized certification.

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