The Department of Community Development and Applied Economics is launching a new course for Fall 2026:  CDAE 1990B: Introduction to Emergency Management. The course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world of disasters and public safety challenges.

Emergency management plays a critical role in helping communities anticipate, respond to, and recover from crises. This new course introduces students to the foundations of the field, including its history and legal framework, while exploring how professionals identify and assess hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities. Students will also gain insight into the four core phases of emergency management: preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.

“The universe of Emergency Management is constantly changing," says John P. Marcus, UVM’s Emergency Management Director. "We work at the intersection of public safety, public health and healthcare, nonprofits, government, environmental and climate resilience, risk management, urban and regional planning, and civil service. We are looking forward to bringing practitioners from many fields into the classroom to share their knowledge and experience with our students.”

The course is taught by two seasoned professionals with decades of public safety experience. John P. Marcus, UVM’s Emergency Management Director, brings more than 45 years of expertise in resilience planning, crisis response, and interagency coordination. He is joined by Barry Simays, UVM’s University Fire Marshal and Deputy Emergency Management Director, who contributes over 30 years of experience in fire and life safety, public safety operations, and community risk reduction.

Together, Marcus and Simays aim to provide students with both the strategic mindset and hands-on understanding necessary to lead during emergencies and strengthen community preparedness.

“Strong emergency management turns uncertainty into preparedness. Students who study it gain practical skills that help communities and organizations respond faster, recover stronger, and become more resilient,” explains Barry Simays.

CDAE 1990B: Introduction to Emergency Management is open to students interested in public service, community development, environmental challenges, and leadership in times of crisis. A proposed CDAE minor in Emergency Management has been approved by the Faculty Senate and is pending approval by the Board of Trustees in May.

For more information about CDAE courses, please connect with CDAE’s professional advisors.