Training and Exercises

The Division of Emergency Management designs, develops, and implements a variety of training and exercise programs to test the capabilities of emergency responders in Montgomery County. The Division also works closely with the response community to schedule and implement the training required for all levels of emergency management certification.

For additional information on training and exercises, contact Training and Preparedness Coordinator Amanda Brady at abrady@montcopa.org. 

PEMA Certification Levels and Required Training

Changes to Certification Program (July 2022)

Effective July 5, 2022, PEMA issued a directive making substantial changes to the emergency management certification program. PEMA’s intent with the changes was to help create a common baseline of information for all emergency management practitioners in the Commonwealth, whether they be municipal, county, state, private sector, student, or NGO. In adding a recertification aspect to the certification program, PEMA is also moving their program in line with what other states are doing in their certification programs, helping emergency management peers work towards additional certifications or recertifications (such as the International Association of Emergency Managers [IAEM]), and working towards professionalizing the field of emergency management within the Commonwealth. 

Note: There will be a one-year grace period for those who have already started certifying under D2017-02’s criteria to complete their in-progress certification.

Emergency Management Coordinators

Appointed municipal Emergency Management Coordinators are required to obtain the Associate Certification within one (1) year of appointment and the Professional Certification within three (3) years of appointment.

Deputy Coordinators and Staff

There is no requirement for Deputy Emergency Management Coordinators or staff to achieve certifications. However, they are encouraged to do so.

Practitioners

With the 2022 Directive, PEMA added the Practitioner track for certification. This program is optional and is being provided as a means of professional development. This will allow stakeholders within the Commonwealth, school and hospital emergency management staff, students, NGO partners, and private sector partners to attain certification and the same base level of knowledge that municipal and county partners attain.

Certification Checklists

Instead of Basic, Advanced, and Professional certification levels, the new program moves to align with program certification levels from other states and the IAEM certification. The two new certification levels are Associate and Professional. Below are the checklists that must be completed by individuals completing the certification levels for the first time:

Certifications will be valid for a period of five (5) years, after which the individual will need to recertify following set criteria should they wish to maintain their certification. A recertification application packet has been developed by PEMA using criteria from IAEM and will help the candidates work towards their IAEM certification/recertifications as well.  Below are the application materials for recertification (all tracks):

FEMA Student IDs and Course Transcripts

The FEMA Student Identification (SID) number is a unique number generated and assigned to anyone who needs or is required to take training provided by a FEMA organization. 

The EMI Student Self-Service Portal allows you to print or download Independent Study (IS) Completion Certificates, Student IS Transcripts (for personal or employer use) and Official IS Transcripts (for educational institutions only).