EMA official earns IAEM certification

By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason FCT Staff Writer
A local EMA official has earned certification from the International Association Of Emergency Managers (IAEM), an international organization for emergency managers.
John D. James was among the 23 candidates to become an IAEM Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), an internationally recognized title and the highest honor in the EMA profession. There are only 1,021 CEMs throughout the IAEM organization, according to IAEM.
The IAEM has more than 3,000 members of emergency managers from 25 countries including the U.S. and Canada, that represent local, state, and federal governments; private industry, and military emergency managers, according to the IAEM website.
Candidates wrote essays about how best to prepare for emergency situations, and compiled a portfolio of accomplishments for the Certification Commission to them for the certification, James said.
James will travel to Orlando, Fla. to receive the award for the certification in November at their annual convention for IAEM.
"This is an honor because it's recognition from my peers for my accomplishments," James said.
James has been Regional Coordinator for with the Alabama Emergency Management Agency since June 2003. He serves as a liaison to agencies in Colbert, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lauderdale, Marion, Walker and Winston Counties as Region 5 Coordinator. He assists these counties with training exercises, and planning emergency situations.
James also monitors the progress on Emergency Management grants, evaluates the program, and makes recommendations to the State Director in regards to funding for this region. He has also been actively involved in the response and recovery efforts of several federally declared disasters including serving as a state liaison to Baldwin County during Hurricane Dennis, Ivan, and Katrina.
"We [at the AEMA] want to make people aware that it's their responsibility as individuals to be prepared to sustain themselves for 72 hours in the event of an emergency," James said.
In addition to his other responsibilities, James speaks to civic groups as well as to audiences at state and national conferences promoting preparedness for emergency situations, James said.
"People need prepare for emergency situations like they would prepare to go to work," James said.
Prior to his employment with AEMA, James held dual careers as the Deputy EMA Director for Franklin County, and as a firefighter for Russellville City Fire Department, where he ended his career as Lieutenant.
James holds a bachelor's of science degree in Public Safety Administration from Athens State College, as well as several certifications in the Fire Service and EMS. In recognition of over 700 hours of Emergency Management training, James received the Advanced Emergency Managers certification from the Alabama Association of Emergency Managers.
James resides in Russellville with wife of 20 years, Shelly, and a 14-year-old daughter.