When a crisis arrives in the form of a natural disaster, accident or public health emergency, preparedness at the local level is essential. Community Emergency Response Teams, or CERTs, play a crucial role in empowering volunteers and the general public to respond effectively before professional help arrives.
Behind every successful CERT is a community emergency response coordinator, a trained leader who plans, educates and guides volunteers in emergency preparedness and response. Lamar University’s online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice program prepares students for roles in emergency response coordination through a curriculum that spans law enforcement, emergency management and public safety leadership.
Planning and Implementing Emergency Response Strategies
Community emergency response coordinators are responsible for developing emergency plans tailored to the unique risks of their communities. This begins with a community hazard analysis, the systematic process that identifies potential threats. According to Galaxy Digital, this process assesses the likelihood and local impact of disasters like floods, wildfires, chemical spills or pandemics.
Once hazards are identified, coordinators create emergency response strategies. As GovPilot points out, these plans include evacuation routes, communication protocols, first aid procedures and shelter logistics. The coordinator must ensure that the team is not only operational but also sustainable with regular funding, updated training and community engagement. Keeping supplies on hand is also crucial, including equipment like hard hats, respirators, safety goggles, gloves and more.
From there, coordinators must recruit and train volunteers and facilitate partnerships between government agencies and private organizations, according to CivicPlus. Coordinators work closely with local officials, law enforcement and emergency services to ensure all strategies align with municipal or regional policies. If there are potential roadblocks to achieving those goals, such as minimal budgets or lack of volunteers, CivicPlus recommends identifying them now and brainstorming solutions. Setting an annual meeting to review progress, train volunteers and reevaluate goals will also help the coordinator maintain a program that endures the test of time.
Educating the Public and Organizing Drills
Another key responsibility of a community emergency response coordinator is public education. Coordinators act as liaisons between emergency management professionals and everyday citizens, translating complex information into guidance, according to GovPilot. Whether teaching CPR, fire suppression techniques or the importance of go-bags, coordinators empower residents to take charge of their own safety during emergencies.
Training sessions and simulated disaster drills are among the most effective tools for increasing preparedness. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) outlines how these exercises help volunteers practice coordination, communication and problem-solving under pressure. Coordinators organize and oversee these drills, adjusting scenarios based on past events and emerging threats. Their goal is to reduce panic and increase the speed and effectiveness of community response in the event of a wildfire, tornado or other disaster that could cause distress and displacement in the community.
The effectiveness of these drills begins with the individuals recruited to take on volunteer positions. As GovPilot points out, the people who are most passionate about protecting the community are usually those who have already served in a public service role. Those community members could include retired doctors and nurses, teachers, military veterans or former first responders. To draw those residents to the cause, coordinators should promote the opportunity to associations of retired public service workers, union meetings and veterans’ community centers.
Lamar University’s curriculum supports this aspect of the coordinator’s role by emphasizing experiential learning and communication. Students gain insight into how to engage diverse communities and lead public safety initiatives through courses like Criminal Justice Administration and Responses to Crime. They examine issues that affect criminal justice organizations and find ways to apply their learning in real time, including through the creation of public safety programs.
Learn How to Make Community Impact in the Criminal Justice Field With Lamar University
For aspiring emergency response coordinators, the path begins with a strong foundation in criminal justice and emergency management. Through Lamar University’s online B.S. in Criminal Justice program, future coordinators can begin their journey toward protecting lives and strengthening communities in times of crisis.
These leaders are responsible for conducting hazard analyses and leading community drills. Lamar’s graduates are equipped with the confidence and tools to step into leadership roles.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice program.
