Professional paths into emergency management: Promoting gender and multi-disciplinary considerations.

摘要

This study considered professionalization of emergency management in one Canadian province. To understand the emerging 21st century emergency management workforce, current emergency management employees in the Ontario Provincial Government (OPS) were surveyed. One hundred and three employees completed an online survey and 48 of them also participated in a telephone interview. Similarities between the women and men in the subject organization emerged, including: what motivated them to work in emergency management, their representation within the community, and their commitment to professional development. However, differences were also found, including: their formal education, previous career experiences, transferable skills and employment status. Wide agreement was found that professionalization in emergency management was likely to have positive effects on work and careers. Recommendations for changes in the way the OPS views and plans for the emergency management community were developed on the basis of these data, and new directions for research were identified.