FEMA and your Resume

[burbuja0512]

Inspired by another post here, I have decided to pose the question regarding how FEMA credits can or should be mentioned on your resume.

I would imagine that the benefit of the FEMA certificates would be limited to just helping you get through college cheaply if your career is in a totally unrelated field. However, I also wonder how beneficial they are if you are in a field that does use this knowledge.

For example, as many of you know, I'm in software sales and for years it was medical software. However, back in January, I switched slightly to the chemical area and now I find myself doing the FEMA courses for my personal benefit even though I don't need the credits anymore.

So the question would be: Do any of you list FEMA certifications on your resume or LinkedIn profile? If so, how do you list them and how do employers view them? If you're in the emergency management world are they taken seriously? I mean, so far I think they look good, but they are free and self-paced, so that could mean that people don't have a great opinion of them.. I'm not looking for a new job right now, but since I'm new to the chemical management world, I am wondering if having FEMA certs listed on my LinkedIn might give me some industry cred.

Thoughts?

[29palms]

That would seem to me like posting your individual college courses on your resume. That would be like posting your military courses on your resume too. I don't think posting FEMA on resume's can really help. I think the only one it seems to benefit is FEMA itself. I believe they have your information, keep track of your "Training" and in some national emergency, they may actually CALL ON YOU to help out. Or pass this information out to your local government. "Lets see, we have a Mr. Burbuja0520 living in your area that just got slammed by a F4 Tornado, he resides at such and such address, and he's FEMA trained extensively. Go get him".

[rebel100]

Holy year old thread palm man!

There are many jobs out there where having the pertinant FEMA on the resume is not just "ok", but desireable. I don't list all of mine (I would need an extra page). But I do list some of the broader coursework. In particulat the FEMA Professional Developement Series or PDS is a requirement for a growing number of jobs such as Firefighter, Police, Emergency Management, and EMS. I just today finished FEMA IC 300 (in classroom for three days). That along with IC 400 are sought after/required in a growing number of jobs.

I also list the advanced coursework such as FEMA CDP (Center for Domestic Preparedness) course work.....then again I am a practicing Emergency Manager for mer Firefighter/Paramedic.....so maybe I'm just drawn to it! LOL\

Post script....FEMA can't always even account for all it's equipemnt like Satelite phones, bulldoziers, and trailers AFTER an event....the idea that they will wait for a disaster and cull through paperwork to find someone to press into service....well.....that makes me laugh a little. It just isn't a plausable theory. Now if you go through the proper channels and volunteer....yeah, you might get a call. Staff positions on most teams are actually hard to come by, there is usually a waiting list to even be considered.

[29palms]

Then again, I never was a great resume creator. Yea, maybe in that field it helps to list those. I am a bit curious how those FEMA credits will apply if any to that BAST AVIATION MX. The cool thing is they'll send me a transcript. I know I took about some 25 or so courses. Not looking for any surprises there though.