What the hell is Emergency Management?

I completed a Combined Honours Degree in History and Politics over 20 years ago at the University of Northampton.

A few months back I embarked on my second degree in Emergency Management via Charles Sturt University. I am completing the course part time via distance learning which will take me 4 years (although hoping to go full time once Bubs is at Kindy). This first term has included an Introduction to Emergency Management and Psychology. It has been very hard at times to juggle family life, working for clients and Uni work - many nights I have found myself working till 2am only to be awake again at 5am with baby.

However, I have enjoyed the challenge and my few weeks of rest I have just had!

I have had two papers to do so far – my first was about the Christchurch earthquake for which I got a Distinction – not bad for my first assignment in 20 yrs! I do intend to share it on this blog once I have completed a few edits.

The assignment that I have decided to share on this blog today is my second paper I completed entitled 'Concepts and Principles of Emergency'. Normally I would shy away from sharing my work – mainly because I'm very aware I am new to this field and have limited practical experience (the last fire I put out was my toast a few weeks ago!).

However, so many people ask me 'What is Emergency Management?’ Hopefully this will answer some of those questions at a basic level. The word limit was 5,000.

My tutor gave me the following comment: ‘Overall a great assignment, you have addressed all components of the questions well and the layout was good, well written and set out. You are grasping the concept of the topic well. Well done.’

My section on ‘The Effects of Emergencies and Why Emergency Management’ was marked as exceptional – which of course made me do a happy dance!

One of my weaker sections however, needed to include examples of the four goals of prevention and mitigation so if you have any you can share with me I would welcome your experiences.

Please feel free to read my work – I am learning so welcome feedback on content or layout. You can email me at johannavalentine@hotmail.com. I especially welcome feedback from academics as I’m keen to begin good habits for academic writing as I am hoping to continue on to my Masters and perhaps become involved in research in this field later on.

The photograph on the front cover is one I took 3 years ago whilst doing a photo session at training with the Perth boys at the DFES training centre - I had it blown up and put in my study as I loved the contrasting colours it captured :)