About MPEM
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s Massachusetts Professional Emergency Manager (MPEM) program is a professional development tool and recognition program for Emergency Managers (EM).
The MPEM is designed with a combination of pertinent online and classroom courses and hands-on experiences that will enable EMs to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and mastery of the field.
The MPEM has been designed with two achievement levels, Associate and Specialist.
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The Associate level is recommended for all Emergency Managers. This level establishes foundational knowledge in emergency management.
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The Specialist level is recommended for Emergency Managers that have a baseline level understanding of and are furthering their career in emergency management. Specialist level professionals must meet all the requirements of the Associate level.
Entrance Requirements
This program is open to anyone employed or appointed as an Emergency Manager or holds a position with emergency management as a core responsibility. Consideration is limited to Massachusetts residents and or those employed or appointed in Massachusetts.
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To be recognized at the Associate level, you must be in your position for at least 1 year.
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To be recognized at the Specialist level, you must be in your position for at least 3 years.
How to Apply
- Attend MEMA's Emergency Management Director Orientation Program (MDOP).
- Confirm program eligibility with the respective MEMA Regional Manager.
- Meet the training and practical requirements (as outlined below). Applicants will need to provide proof (certificates, attendance records, plans, or detailed affidavits) that the requirements have been met.
- Complete and submit the MPEM Application, along with supporting documentation.
Program Requirements
Associate Level Requirements
Below are the required courses and requirements to achieve Associate Level recognition.
- MA-MDOP: Emergency Management Director Orientation Program
- IS-230: Fundamentals of Emergency Management
- IS-235: Emergency Planning
- IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS)
- IS-241: Decision Making and Problem Solving
- IS-244: Developing and Managing Volunteers
- IS/G-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
- IS-240: Leadership and Influence
- IS-242: Effective Communication
- IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- IS-120: An Introduction to Exercises
- HHS/ASPR: Access and Functional Needs
- IS-800: National Response Framework (NRF)
- IS/G-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions
- IS-29: Public Information Officer Awareness
Specialist Level – Training Requirements
In addition to the Associate Level requirements, applicants for the Specialist Level are required are required to complete the following courses.
- G-2300: Intermediate Emergency Operations Center Functions
- G-191: Incident Command System/Emergency Operations Center Interface
- G-300: Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents
- G-400: Advanced ICS
- L-0105: Public Information Basics (Formerly G-290)
- L-0146: Homeland Security Exercise Evaluation Program
Expanded Knowledge – Training Electives
Applicants for the Associate Level will need to complete 3 elective training opportunities.
Applicants for the Specialist Level will need to complete 6 (total) elective training opportunities.
Waiver: Completion of the below listed EMI Basic Academy classes* will wave all electives.
- IS-139: Exercise Design and Development
- WebEOC: Introduction to WebEOC for Local Officials
- IS-2900: National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Overview
- IS-130: How to be an Exercise Evaluator
- IS-922: Applications of GIS for Emergency Management
- IS-632: Introduction to Debris Operations
- IS-45: Continuous Improvement Overview
- IS-2901: Introduction to Community Lifelines IS-393: Introduction to Hazard Mitigation
- IS-288: The Role of Voluntary Organizations in Emergency Management
- IS-559: Local Damage Assessment
- IS-318: Mitigation Planning for Local and Tribal Communities
- IS-317: Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERTs)
- IS-42: Social Media in Emergency Management
- IS-1300: Introduction to Continuity of Operations
- E/G-427 Community Emergency Response Team Program Manager
- IS-247: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for Alert Originators
- MA-AFN: Massachusetts Guidance on Emergency Planning for Access and Functional Needs Population
- E/L-103: Planning: Emergency Operations*
- E/L-101: Foundations of Emergency Management*
- E/L-102: Science of Disaster*
Emergency Management Exercises, Real World, and Professional Contributions
Applicants for the Associate Level will need to complete 3 practical events, 1 from each grouping.
Applicants for the Specialist Level will need to complete 6 (total) practical events, 2 from each grouping.
*An event (exercise, incident, etc.) cannot be counted more than once.
Group 1 - Planning & Preparedness
- Review and provide recommended updates to a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
- Develop a Standard Operating Procedure or Guide
- Participate in an Emergency Management related exercise, as an Evaluator.
- Participate in an Emergency Management related exercise, as an exercise Planner.
- Actively participate in your community’s Local or Regional Emergency Planning Committee.
- Give an Emergency Management related presentation at a conference.
- Conduct an Emergency Management specific training.
- Facilitate an After-Action Review (AAR) meeting and author a written AAR report of an exercise or actual event.
- Assist in the design or development of a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for an agency or community.
Group 2 - Response & Operations
- Responded to an Incident Command Post, Emergency Operations Center, or Disaster/Special Event in an Emergency Manager capacity.
- Serve in an Emergency Operations Center Manager position for a real-world event or exercise.
- Write an Incident Action Plan for a planned event or incident within your community.
- Participate in Community Point of Distribution (CPOD) operation.
- Establish or manage an emergency shelter, reception center, or pet shelter.
- Present at a MEMA Regional EMD Meeting.
- Apply for a sub-applicant grant.
- Establish or manage a volunteer or community program (e.g. CERT, EMA, or VOAD) in your community.
- Take an active Emergency Management role in an actual incident or planned event.
Group 3 - Mitigation & Recovery
- Attend a hazard mitigation related grant briefing, training, or workshop.
- Participate in the development and submission of a hazard mitigation grant application or project implementation.
- Review and provide recommended updates to a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
- Participate in a Community Rating System (CRS) program, State Municipal Vulnerability Program (MVP), or StormReady.
- Attend a workshop or training on planning and operation of a Recovery Resource Center.
- Attend a Public Assistance applicant briefing, workshop or training.
- Participate in a Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, or Small Business Association Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA).
- Participate in a Pre-Disaster Recovery Planning workshop or training.
- Participate in the development, review, submission, or closeout of a Public Assistance grant application.
Applicants will need to provide proof of the above activities. Certificates, Attendance, Letters of Certification, Plans, Signed Affidavits, and alike documents may be submitted as evidence.
How to locate training programs
- All “IS” courses can be found at FEMA’s Independent Study website (https://training.fema.gov/is)
- All “G”, “L” and “MA” courses can be found at MEMA’s Training Registration System (https://mematraining.chs.state.ma.us) or by contacting mema.training@mass.gov
- All “E” courses can be found at FEMA’s EMI website (https://training.fema.gov/EMI)
- HHS/ASPR: Access and Functional Needs training can be found at the HHS/ASPR training portal (https://www.train.org/main/course/1083869/)