Page 2 - FEPA Fall 2020 final

Certification Corner by Shayne Morgan, FPEM, Chair, Certification Commission

elcome to the Fall quarter’s edition of categories. Over the years, the Association has offered
Certification Corner. Each quarter, on behalf tabletop exercises as part of the Annual Meeting
Wof the Commission, I use this column to program. FEPA members who have served on the
outline best practices for FEPA members completing exercise design and evaluation team and have provided
their certification applications or considering applying proper documentation have used this experience as
for recognition. For those that may be new to FEPA a contribution under PC-2-Technical. Service in FEPA
and emergency management, the Association Leadership positions, both elected and appointed
offers three basic certifications, Florida Emergency qualify under PC-4, Leadership and Participation. A
Management Volunteer (FEMV), Florida Associate variety of roles meet this requirement, including
Emergency Manager (FAEM), and Florida Professional membership on the Board of Directors, Chairs and Co-
Emergency Manager (FPEM). FAEM and FPEM also offer Chairs of Committees and Working Groups and key
a Healthcare concentration, for emergency managers positions leading Association projects. PC-5 Speaking
working in the healthcare field. In addition, FEPA offers a broad opportunity to recognize members’
recognizes emergency management instructors under roles in developing and delivering content for FEPA
three categories: Florida Basic Instructor (FBI), Florida sponsored trainings, workshops, and seminars. These
Intermediate Instructor (FII), and the Florida Master are only a few examples of how FEPA participation
Instructor (FMI). To learn more about the specific details can be recognized in your FEPA Certification (or Re-
of each certification classification, please visit www. Certification) application. As applicants review the list,
fepacertification.org to review the applications and they will quickly realize how Association activities fit
requirements. multiple professional contribution categories.
This installment of the Certification Corner focuses As the deadline to submit applications as part
on how contributions to FEPA programs and projects of the Certification Class of 2021 approaches, I offer
can be recognized in your certification application. The a great big thank you to everyone that has already
Certification Program outlines seventeen professional submitted their re-certification or certification packages.
contribution categories to demonstrate an emergency Certification Commissioners are working hard to
manager’s proficiency and document support for complete evaluations of applications assigned to them.
the emergency management profession. Many FEPA Once each two-member Certification review team
opportunities directly correlate to these categories. completes its analysis and agrees an applicant meets
For example, Professional Contribution (PC)-1 relates the requirements, the recommendation is considered
to Disaster Experience. Though hard to imagine in our by the full Certification Commission. Applications
current environment, if your jurisdiction did not need recommended for approval by the Commission are
to activate your Emergency Operations Center for an presented to the Board of Directors for final action.
extended period, but you did assist another area as a Actions regarding each annual class of candidates must
FEPA coordinated EOC Mutual Aid resource, you may be be completed in time for recognition at the FEPA Annual
able to use this experience as one of your professional Meeting. All the review and approval timelines dictate
contributions. the submission deadline for each application cycle. As
FEPA developed exercises and training also often November 1, the traditional annual deadline, falls on a
meet the requirements of professional contribution weekend this year, the application deadline for the Class
of 2021 is October 30, 2020, the last business day of the
month. Please remember, applications are
assigned for review in the order that they are
received, so waiting until the final day of the
cycle to submit may delay the completion
of your application’s evaluation and limit
the time you have to provide additional
documentation or clarifications that may be
needed.
Certification Commissioners volunteer
their time and FEPA thanks them for their
dedication and appreciates their home
agencies allowing them an opportunity to
serve. As always, if you have any questions
please do not hesitate to reach out to me
or any Commission member to get your
questions answered. I hope that everyone
stays safe, and l hope see you soon.

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