Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have reached an agreement to allow non-U.S. IAEM members access to the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) online Independent Study courses. The courses may be used by IAEM members for the education requirements for the Certified Emergency Manager® (CEM®) or Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) certifications.

Credit for completing EMI online Independent Study courses generally is only available to U.S. citizens. It is now possible for non-U.S. citizens to obtain credit for EMI?s online Independent Study courses if the non-U.S. citizen has an approved sponsor, such as IAEM, and if the sponsoring organization provides a written request to EMI on official letterhead.

IAEM will provide official letters of sponsorship for non-U.S. IAEM members who are in good standing, and who have already achieved a CEM®/AEM or who have applied for CEM®/AEM certification. FEMA-approved non-U.S. citizens will be assigned a ?unique student identifier? that will allow them to receive credit for the online study courses.

?Providing access to quality educational programs to qualified emergency managers will improve preparedness and response to disasters worldwide,? stated Nick Crossley, chairman of IAEM?s Certification Commission. ?This move also will result in increased access to IAEM?s Certified Emergency Manager® program, the only program available to certify emergency managers.?

For more information, visit http://www.iaem.com/certification/generalinfo/IAEMsponsorship.htm

The International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), which has more than 4,000 members in 58 countries, is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting the goals of saving lives and protecting property during emergencies and disasters. IAEM provides: access to the largest network of emergency management experts who can provide advice and assistance; the Certified Emergency Manager® program; annual scholarships; a comprehensive monthly newsletter; and more.