Priscilla London, CPM, CEM Senior Safety Administrator Monroe County Florida

Certified Public Managers® a Cut Above in Disasters

By Priscilla London, CPM, CEM
Florida Keys Chapter
safety@monroecounty-fl.gov

The definition of disaster is: An adverse or unfortunate event, esp. a sudden and extraordinary misfortune; a calamity; a serious mishap.

With summer fires in California, flooding along the Mississippi, hurricane season at our doorsteps and disasters overwhelming government systems around the world, it is prudent to discuss the enhanced role a Certified Public Manager® (CPM) can play in keeping government on the right track during disasters. We all know it is government’s role to train personnel, respond to disasters, organize resources, ensure the logistics of the disaster is being met, provide relief, and take care of the needs of a community and, most importantly, the recovery process so there is a community to govern. As a responder to disasters in my local area (Florida Keys) for more than 20 years, I understand the need for professionals beyond the typical response organizations in government, especially during and after disasters.

Our career as a professional government employee should be a special asset to governments during disaster response. In the CPM program, we received various management techniques, conducted audits and exercises beyond normal work behavior. As a CPM professional, we can go out of the scope of our typical duties and ensure government is doing all it can for the citizens that are depending on us. Your ability for change and adaptation may transfer your community problems into solutions during such great times of need and change.

Also, we can take great strides towards mitigating disasters before they happen. It takes a truly professional CPM dedicated to getting government to “act, not react” to fix problems before they turn into disasters. The true professional will investigate ways and means to ensure levies hold, fire break roads are built and buildings are built to withstand flooding and high winds. CPM’s should step up to the plate in disasters even if the needs are outside the realm of your responsibilities.

© Copyright 2008, American Association of Certified Public Managers®