The Maryland–National Capital Region Emergency Response System (MDERS) has a long history of supporting professional development opportunities for its staff that can be directly applied to projects supporting stakeholder agencies. While there are countless professional development opportunities, one of the premier options for individuals new to emergency management and emergency response operations is the Emergency Management Basic Academy Program offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Disaster and Emergency Management University.
MDERS Emergency Response Specialist Matt Panagos graduated from the program in January 2026, having recently transitioned into the emergency management field following a nearly decade-long career in higher education. Panagos noted that “the program provides a great introduction to the emergency management field, allowing me to experience many branches of emergency management that I may not otherwise be exposed to in the field.”
The Basic Academy curriculum consists of five classroom courses, plus additional prerequisite courses, taught by seasoned veterans in emergency response, emergency management, and public safety. The courses include:
- Foundations of Emergency Management
- Fundamentals of Threats and Hazards
- Planning: Emergency Operations
- Public Information Basics
- Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) Training
These courses comprise approximately 50 hours of virtual or in-person classroom instruction and provide a solid foundation for new emergency management staff across key topics, including managing, preparing for, and recovering from small- and large-scale incidents within their jurisdiction. In addition to meeting course criteria, each class combines lecture-style presentations with group projects and reporting opportunities. In particular, the group projects bring together students from across the United States and diverse professional backgrounds to serve in all branches of an emergency management operation. These projects and reporting environments are structured by both the curriculum and the instructors to be as realistic as possible, mirroring real-world scenarios and operating environments found in an Emergency Operations Center or an incident command post.
Additionally, the program offers a rare opportunity to network in person with professionals from across the country representing tribal, local, state, federal, and private-sector emergency management organizations, adding immeasurable value to the established curriculum. Panagos also noted that “the networking opportunities cannot be understated, and over the three weeks of the program, I made countless new contacts across the United States that otherwise would not have been possible.”
Not only did the program serve as a critical educational experience for an individual new to the emergency management field, but it also helped identify additional areas of interest for continued education and training. Current and future projects in 2026 that the MDERS team, including Matt, are working on include tabletop exercises and capability development initiatives for local stakeholders. The benefits gained through participation in the Basic Academy Program have already been implemented in these projects and will continue to inform future efforts supporting stakeholders throughout the National Capital Region.
Written by Matthew Panagos