<p>Nikara wrote,</p>
<p>“I’ve been working with the Red Cross for the last year and a half. Disaster/emergency management is way more prevalent than it sounds. Most mid-sized cities and all large cities have emergency managers. Many large private businesses have them. All major schools have them. The State and Federal levels obviously have lots of openings. It is actually a large and expanding field, with tons of opportunity. Previously, these positions were largely held by retired firefighters/police officers/ military personnel, or people who came into the field by accident. It has become clear in the past decade that a haphazard approach to the training of managers in disaster response isn’t effective, and that having intense and specific training is incredibly useful.”</p>
<p>Wow, one and a half years, starting a grad degree and your already an expert on disaster response effectiveness. You obviously read a lot, so look up “McNamara’s Whiz Kids.” A bunch of over-educated fellows who thought their academic background would allow them to run the Defense Department. Their legacy? One word: Vietnam.</p>
<p>The people leading the field came into it by accident??? No Junior, it is called EXPERIENCE. Ever moved hundreds of cargo plane missions filled with food? How about putting a few large cargo ships in a 3rd World port with no infrastructure? Ok, maybe motor transport into Central Asia or a hostage situation during rush hour in a major city? Hmmm…I guess this sort of “training” doesn’t cut it since it is “haphazard,” huh? I hear Wright State University near Dayton Ohio is opening up an exercise training ground called “Calamityville.” It will allow newbies like yourself to do all the correct “academic training” you need to run emergency management operations the “right way” and kick the old “ineffective” vets out…Well, at least that is what you will tell the politicians, I’m sure.</p>
<p>With any luck, the next time this country or a state or a city truly needs REAL Emergency Management, the grizzled old vet who “accidentally” fell into the job won’t be looking at his wunderkind (with all kinds of degrees) boss screwing everything up and asking “This is your first rodeo, isn’t it?”</p>
<p>Refresh yourself on the definition of a word: Hubris</p>