 | ||
The Emergency Management (EM) career field is the United States Air Force's (USAF) primary organization responsible for implementing an installation-level EM program. Emergency Managers, also known by the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 3E9X1, are the Air Force's subject matter experts for all Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) matters.
Contents
Responsibilities
Occupational badge heraldry
The Readiness Occupational Badge was introduced by the CSAF in February 2006 with an official wear date of 1 October 06. The badge uses the Air Force wreaths combined with basic insignia first adopted by the U.S. Army Chemical Service in 1917: two crossed retorts—glass laboratory vessels used for distilling, which has been in use for hundreds of years—placed behind a benzene ring, the molecular building block of many organic chemicals. The benzene ring signifies the molecular composition of the chemical benzene. It has six points for each atom of carbon and hydrogen, representing the basic elements of chemistry. These elements of design allude to their chemical-related functions and deeply rooted history in the U.S. Army AirCorps to today’s Air Force. There are three different types of the occupational badge, which consist of basic, senior, and master. Time in position and expertise in the career field is what distinguishes the difference between them.
Technical training
Training for Emergency Managers starts at the United States Army CBRN School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, which trains US CBRN forces from all branches of the United States Department of Defense (DOD). The 364th Training Squadron / Detachment 1 operates the Emergency Management "schoolhouse" and instructs U.S. Air Force military, Civil Service and NATO students in a 55-academic day apprentice level prerequisite course. This is also followed by a 12-academic day CBRN Responder course conducted at the Lieutenant Joseph Terry CBRN Training Facility. When the student is sent to the CDTF (Chemical Defense Training Facility) during the last days of the course students will actually use their skills to access the situation involving a live agent. The CBRN Responder course certifies students to respond to CBRN/WMD incidents at the HAZMAT Technician level.
Specialized training
The Defense Nuclear Weapons School provides Emergency Managers education and training specifically in radiological and nuclear weapons, nuclear and radiological incident command and control, incident response, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) modeling.
Emergency Managers receive contingency skills training on a recurring basis to remain proficient on their wartime tasks through attending Silver Flag training.
Integrated Base Emergency Response Capability Training (IBERCT) is a workshop for CBRN, Hazmat responders, fire departments and emergency managers to train on best practices in a hands-on environment. MAJCOMs host these events to ensure their forces are prepared to the meet demands of a unified response operation.
The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) provides Emergency Managers the ability to perform essential work and skills in emergency operations during disasters. This is accomplished online through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's distance learning modules.