CEM^® News: 2017

Previous CEM News: 2015-2016 |  2014 | 2010-2013

• Reminder for Recertification Candidates (05 Sept 2017) As announced previously, new recertification requirements were implemented in January 2015. If recertification candidates started an online recertification application prior to Jan. 5, 2015, please note that the application is tied to the old recertification requirements. Candidates can confirm they are working on an updated application by logging into the online application portal and checking if there is a recertification year (i.e. 5-year recertification) listed under the recertification application in the first column of their candidate dashboard. If there is no year listed clarifying the recertification period, candidates will need to add and complete a new recertification application to take advantage of the current recertification requirement. IMPORTANT: Recertification candidates should save any information from the old recertification application and delete the old recertification application prior to beginning the new application. IAEM staff are happy to assist with any questions.
   
• Vacancy on IAEM Certification Commission for USA Local Sector Emergency Manager (31 July 2017) The IAEM Certification Commission is looking for one new commissioner to fill a recently vacant seat representing local emergency management for the Class of 2020, serving from Jan. 1, 2018, to Dec. 31, 2020.
   
  Commissioners must be full-time working emergency management practitioners, current CEMs, and successfully recertified at least once, with a demonstrated knowledge of emergency management, desire to serve, ability to work without bias and maintain confidentiality as
  well as the credibility of the AEM/CEM credential. 
   
  Candidates interested in applying for the local seat on the Certification Commission should submit the following information to IAEM Program Manager, Kate McClimans at KMcClimans@iaem.com, by 5:00 p.m. EDT, Aug. 7, 2017:
  • Letter of intent expressing desire to serve as a commissioner as well as willingness to devote the necessary time to participate in online reviews and commission meetings.
  • Personal Commissioner Qualities – a short narrative (maximum of two pages) describing the qualities the applicant will bring to the commission. Include the date of CEM initial certification and recertification(s).
  • Qualification(s) to Serve – up to a one page description of the qualifications for the local EM seat
  • Current Resume
  • Three letters of reference to verify and support the criteria. One letter should be from a current supervisor.
    The selected commissioner should plan to attend new commissioner training scheduled for September 20 -22, 2017 in Falls Church, VA. IAEM will cover the travel/lodging expenses.

The Certification Commission conducts electronic reviews using the online system. Every other month, commissioners are expected to review, on average, 10-15 applications, based on volume, within a 30-day window. Interested applicants must be detail oriented, responsive via email and phone, and plan to devote approximately 30 hours per review month (180 hours yearly) to online reviews. Commissioners also draft notification letters to candidates so commissioners must possess clear, concise writing skills.
 
The Certification Commission has one in-person meeting per year as well as quarterly conference calls lasting between 1-2 hours to discuss policy and procedure changes. Occasionally, commissioners may be asked to serve on a short term ad-hoc working group related to a topic of discussion on the Certification Commission. IAEM is prepared to cover the travel costs for the in-person review meetings for commissioners living outside of the DC metro area. 

Applicants should ensure they have access to a computer without security limitations to access zip, pdf, .msg, jpeg, gif, .mov, Powerpoint, and Word files. Access to Publisher is a benefit. Users should be using the current version of any of the major browsers (latest Firefox, Chrome, Safari or IE). Interested individuals should identify themselves as being computer savvy and have a willingness to learn how to use the online application portal.

• Changes to the CEM Requirements (03 May 2017) On April 18, 2017, the IAEM USA-Board approved recommendations submitted by the Certification Executive Committee to help streamline the Certification process. Requirement changes affect lifetime applications; references; and professional contributions. Below are details related to each of the new certification requirements. IAEM Headquarters is currently working to get the online certification applications updated to reflect these changes.
  
  For those who have already started an application, the system will still think that you must meet the old requirement. To avoid having to start a new application, you may wish to edit your current application by indicating in the respective submission fields (if applicable) “not required as of 4/18/17,” and then upload a separate document indicating same. This will allow the system to reflect you provided a submission form with documentation under the old requirements.
  
  
  • Lifetime Certification. Any CEM familiar with the candidate may nominate a candidate for lifetime certification.
  • References. Require a minimum of one letter of reference (signed and on letterhead from a current supervisor) plus contact information for a total of three references, with the option to upload two additional reference letters if the candidate feels it would be helpful to their review.
  • Professional Contributions:
    • (C) Service Role – may now be part of job duties and submission must support comprehensive emergency management; 
    • (D) Leadership Role – any member of a board qualifies; and
    • (F) Speaking – removal of the 20-minute requirement.

• Featured Mentor Tool Launched (18 Apr 2017) The Certification Commission has launched the new “Featured Mentor” tool on the IAEM website. A certification mentor guides a CEM or AEM candidate to complete her/his application by offering counseling and accurate information about requirements. Certification candidates interested in working with a mentor can use the listing to find a mentor who is close in proximity to their location or based on their emergency management employment sector. The database can be found in the certification section of the IAEM website, using the link for Find a Mentor.
   
• Certified Emergency Manager Program Partners with Academic Institutes (press release, Mar. 29, 2017) IAEM announces its newest partnership with Franklin University (Columbus, Ohio), creating an official partnership between the University and the IAEM Certification Program. Download press release.
   
• Certification Commission Seeks Candidates to Fill Several Commissioner Openings; Application Deadline Is June 1, 2017 (24 Mar 2017) The IAEM Certification Commission is looking for candidates to fill several commissioner openings for the Class of 2020, serving from Jan. 1, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2020. The Certification Commission conducts electronic reviews using the online system. Every other month, commissioners are expected to review, on average, 12-20 applications, based on volume, within a 30 day window. Interested applicants must be detail oriented, responsive via email and phone, and plan to devote approximately 30 hours per review month (180 hours yearly) to online reviews. Commissioners also draft notification letters to candidates so commissioners must possess clear, concise writing skills.
  
  The Certification Commission has one or two in-person meetings per year as well as quarterly conference calls lasting between 1-2 hours to discuss policy and procedure changes. Occasionally, commissioners may be asked to serve on a short term ad-hoc working group related to a topic of discussion on the Certification Commission. IAEM is prepared to cover the travel costs for the in-person review meetings for commissioners living outside of the DC metro area.
  
  There are a limited number of available spaces, but any interested USA certified individual is encouraged to apply, as we are looking to identify people who are willing to serve as alternates to represent each EM category should seats become available mid-term. Download chart of CEM Commissioner categories.
  
  Commissioners must be full-time, working emergency management practitioners, current CEMs, and successfully recertified at least once, with a demonstrated knowledge of emergency management, desire to serve, ability to work without bias and maintain confidentiality as well as the credibility of the AEM/CEM credential.
  
  Applicants should ensure they have access to a computer without security limitations to access zip, pdf, .msg, jpeg, gif, .mov, Powerpoint, and Word files. Access to Publisher is a benefit. Users should be using the current version of any of the major browsers (latest Firefox, Chrome, Safari or IE). Interested individuals should identify themselves as being computer savvy and have a willingness to learn how to use the online application portal. 
  
  Candidates interested in serving on the Certification Commission should submit the following information to IAEM Program Manager, Kate McClimans (KMcClimans@iaem.com), by June 1, 2017:
   
  
  • Letter of intent expressing desire to serve as a commissioner as well as willingness to devote the necessary time to participate in online reviews and commission meetings.
  • Personal Commissioner Qualities – a short narrative (maximum of two pages) describing the qualities the applicant will bring to the commission. Include the date of CEM initial certification and recertification(s).
  • Qualification(s) to Serve – up to a one page description of the qualifications for the category(ies) of participation to be considered as described in the chart of CEM Commissioner categories.
  • Current Resume
  • Three letters of reference to verify and support the criteria. One letter should be from a current supervisor.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Upon receipt, candidate will receive confirmation that information was received by IAEM HQ. Late submissions may be held over for the following year. Candidates will be notified of the results this fall.

• IAEM Certification Commission Announces Certification Webinar Series (26 Feb 2017) The Certification Webinar Series is a free program we will pilot in 2017 to assist candidates in obtaining their certification with IAEM. With premises rooted in the elements of a successful certification application and succinctly proving the meeting of the criteria, this series of short, valuable experiences will demonstrate to candidates that certification is attainable.
  
  The Certification Webinar Series will be offered between March and October 2017. Each 30-minute presentation will conclude with 30 minutes for questions and answers with Certification Commissioners. The series will be broken into the following segments, with the initial pilot offering on second Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time:
  

  • Apr. 13, 2017, 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST – Introduction to the Certification Webinar Series, Essay

  • May 11, 2017, 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT – Training, Letters of Reference, Exam, Certification Fees
     
  • June 8, 2017, 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT – Experience/Work History, Degree Documentation
     
  • July 13, 2017, 3:00-4:00 p.m. EDT – Professional Contributions

Register online here. Registration will end one week prior to each webinar. Registrants will be sent the login information during the week prior to the webinar date. 

If you have any questions, email info@iaem.com. Please Note: Attendance at these webinars does not count towards training hours for your application.

• Updated AEM/CEM Overview Presentation Now Available (13 Feb 2017) An updated version of the IAEM AEM/CEM Overview Presentation (Feb 2017) has been posted on the CEM Resource Center page.
   
• Updated AEM/CEM Study Guide Now Available (09 Jan 2017) Candidates preparing for the AEM/CEM exam should reference the updated study guide (dated January 2017) found on the CEM Resources page.