Scope and Demand for Disaster Management
Disaster management refers to a quick response to natural or artificial disasters that can happen anytime and anywhere. These disasters can include the Covid-19 pandemic, political instability, famine, poverty, war, etc. Crisis management helps prepare individuals to tackle disasters quickly, effectively, and efficiently.
Disaster management focuses on stability and recovery planning management, with a special emphasis on redevelopment and mitigation of negative consequences of the disaster. Since such disasters have happened throughout the world, in different capacities, it is important to be prepared with effective strategies to deal with novel situations. The focus of the program disaster management is on the people. People affected by the disaster require the most protection. Then comes a country’s economy and stability. As we have seen during the Covid-19 outbreak, many people worldwide lost their lives, which led to crumbling economies and failing businesses. These were the negative consequences of the outbreak. Therefore, protecting a community and bringing stability among chaos are the most important elements of disaster management.
Owing to the facts mentioned above, the demand and scope for disaster management are higher than ever before. Many terrorist attacks, gun violence incidents, war leading to poverty, extreme climate conditions, etc. This calls for immediate action and well-prepared planning on behalf of disaster management specialists.
Career Paths
The severity of a disaster determines emergency management salary and the required roles accordingly. Experience and level of education play a crucial role in determining the payout. In disaster management, let us look at some career paths that you can follow.
Disaster Operations Specialist
The overall responsibility for drawing up the specifics of disaster response falls on disaster operations specialists. They carry out evacuation plans and aid in the design and reach. They also provide protective custodians, manage the task force, and relay information back and forth. They must ensure that all disaster management plans are in place for any possible disaster year-round.
Their priority is taking care of disaster planning operations in areas more prone to disasters or potentially vulnerable places. This vulnerability can be to any pandemic like the Ebola virus or Covid-19, areas under threat of terrorist attacks, etc.
The requirement for this career path is an advanced degree in disaster management. Their annual salary ranges between $51,000 and $96,000, with a median salary range of $80,000 a year. These figures can vary due to the field’s level of experience and degree, frequency of disasters, and district or state.
Investigators
The main job of investigators in disaster management is to investigate post-disaster, carry out preliminary investigations, and recognize potential disaster threats. The purpose is to delve into the core and root cause of the disaster. Their investigation involves collecting relevant information to prevent future disasters and policy regulations and not leave any stone unturned.
Their responsibilities include recognizing flaws, examining the evidence, pointing out culprits in cases of terror attacks, and managing the daily workflow of their investigative team. This career requires a degree in law or disaster management. The investigators working at Homeland Security in the US get $69,546 a year. The typical salary ranges lie between $35,000 and $80,000. With more skills and expertise, investigators can earn up to $160,000 annually.
Disaster Researcher
The job of a disaster researcher is like any other research professional. They study disaster history and its impact, collect empirical evidence, understand the nature of a disaster, and delve into possible working solutions.
The research into specific calamities in a certain area determines the reason and frequency of their occurrences. In addition, they contrast the history of government and non-government aid for calamities. Moreover, they also study the management philosophies adopted by disaster managers and find the best alternatives. It is also their job to evaluate the emergence of new disasters on small and large scales.
Researchers typically work in institutions, academic organizations, universities, and research agencies. Their annual salary range falls between $60,650 and $107,566. Their median annual salary is $75,564, according to salary.com.
Disaster Policy and Recovery Analyst
Policy methods and guidelines help set the relief efforts and humanitarian assistance in case of disaster management worldwide. Collaborating with transnational organizations, reaching out for international humanitarian funds, and issuing alerts are the responsibilities of disaster policy and recovery analysts. They are also responsible for implementing prevention mechanisms and designing policies to lower the impact and magnitude of calamities.
Disaster policy and recovery analysts require a master’s degree in disaster management or public policy. They work in governmental organizations where they can collaborate with foreign humanitarian institutions. Their salary ranges between $37,460 and $128,750 annually. This makes a median salary of $84,272 a year. The middle 57% tier of disaster policy analysts make $84,273–$$99,087. The top 85% tier makes $128,750 a year in the US and Canada.
Logistics Expert
The logistics of disaster management are crucial to disaster management and mitigation operations. Logistics’ actual effectiveness and efficiency ensure quick crisis response and humanitarian aid efforts. Logistics experts ensure minimal economic and human damages due to calamities. They do this by maintaining an inventory of emergency materials, like food, clothes, camps, medical supplies, etc. They also keep a backup of rescue team operations in case of a huge influx of demand at any moment. This ensures catering to the masses at a moment’s notice with minimal delay. In case of any mishaps, there is an immediate replacement and repair of essential equipment ensured by logistics experts.
Related fields of logistics experts in crisis management include:
- Public safety officer
- Operations and training coordinator
- Fire inspectors
- Control and command specialist
- Fundraiser
This field requires a degree in management sciences or public policy. The average logistics and emergency management specialist’s salary is $56,312 in the US. This figure is 31% higher than the national average.
Conclusion
Disaster management is the occurrence of a crisis that can arise at any moment, anywhere. Hence, it is crucial to stay ahead of the game and plan accordingly. To mitigate disastrous consequences and preserve the economy, this field carries heavy weight in the 21st century. There have been many natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and terror attacks. In addition, new disastrous occurrences are novel. Therefore, this field has a vast demand and career scope, with more than the national average salary range.
After completing your education in disaster management, you can enter the five aforementioned key areas and more. These include disaster operations specialists with a median pay of $80,000 a year. Then there is the role of disaster investigators, with an average salary of $69,546. Similarly, disaster researchers earn $75,564 on average yearly. Disaster policy and recovery analysts earn $84,272 a year on average. Lastly, logistics experts make $56,312 a year on average in the US.
These career paths and related fields will let you make a better living on a national level. While preserving your country’s humanitarian and economic condition, you will be able to contribute to uplifting it.
