A cultivating experience in emergency management

Jeffrey at the DEMA Headquarters

Participating in DEMA’s internship program has been one of the most cultivating experiences I have had since beginning my studies in emergency management & homeland security at Arizona State University. My first day as an intern was absolutely thrilling. I was able to observe and interact with those supporting the activation of the Arizona State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) during a presidential visit. The other interns and I were able to see how a real-world emergency operations plan is put into action, as well as see all of the different agencies that collaborate with one another in order to  make these plans run like clockwork.

I was assigned to the Training Branch at DEMA where I learned how training courses are a key component of emergency management. This branch provides the state with qualified instructors and training programs for emergency responders and managers. These courses teach personnel how to address and handle different types of emergencies. No two emergencies are the same, so it is important to provide specific trainings that cover as many aspects of a disaster as possible.

DEMA’s Training Branch does an exceptional job. They review applications thoroughly to ensure the best instructors are selected, as well as provide training locations around the state of Arizona so all county agencies have an opportunity to receive optimal training.

DEMA also has a great internship curriculum that blends knowledge of emergency management as well as hands-on opportunities to interact with different departments throughout the state. As interns, we’ve held roles as evaluators in active-shooter exercises, played parts as victims in plane crash exercises, and taken tours of different facilities around the state to learn about their emergency management operations.

By far my most exciting assignment was evaluating an active shooter exercise where DEMA collaborated with multiple local fire and law enforcement agencies in Phoenix. I learned about various emergency response plans and evaluated DEMA staff to see how they handled the active shooter situation, and the steps they took to remain safe.

DEMA has also given interns the opportunity to participate in additional training courses and classes that count as credit toward professional FEMA certifications. This experience has been extremely beneficial and has helped me learn more about the field of emergency management, while gaining professional experience.  

Blog by Jeffrey Sanchez