Certificate Gives Business Professionals an Edge on Emergency Preparedness

    SAN MARCOS, CA, January 21, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Recent flooding due to El Nino is just the latest in a string of challenges to businesses and organizations in Southern California, including ongoing threats from earthquakes, wildfires, and other disasters. The San Diego Office of Emergency Services says that every business should have an emergency preparedness element as part of their strategic business plan, but few do. California State University San Marcos Extended Learning (EL) is launching a class series, beginning Feb. 12, to help organizations build a "living" document that can be used to effectively navigate through an emergency situation.

The Professional Certificate in Business Emergency Preparedness Planning (BEPP) will teach hands-on processes for developing and implementing an emergency preparedness plan, developed by industry experts in the field. The course will train students to help their organizations mitigate potential damages and to recover from emergencies and to quickly resume business operations in the aftermath of an incident.

Guest speakers will include representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the American Red Cross, the Department of Homeland Security, City of San Diego Emergency Management, and the San Diego Police Department Critical Incident Unit. The program will be held at Emergency Operations Centers across San Diego.

"This is a unique opportunity for any business to obtain proven, specific methods to assess vulnerabilities in their organization, create an emergency plan, and address business resumption and recovery plans to ensure business continuity," says CSUSM Dean of Extended Learning Mike Schroder. "Whether your organization is nonprofit, public, or private, emergency preparedness like the hands-on training that this course will provide is vital."

The Professional Certificate program is comprised of six, half-day sessions taking place on Fridays from Feb. 12 through March 18, 2016. Enrollment is currently open to any organization (business, civic, governmental, or non-profit) that has not developed an emergency plan. Managers responsible for overseeing or directly managing organizational emergency plans, or anyone interested in making a career in emergency planning, are encouraged to attend. A discount code is available for two of more attendees from the same organization by calling 760-750-8712. Space is limited, so to learn more or to enroll, call 760-750-4004, or visit http://www.csusm.edu/el/certificateprograms/bpdev/bepp/index.html.

About CSUSM Extended Learning
As the academic outreach arm of Cal State San Marcos, Extended Learning is a leading provider of professional and continuing education in North San Diego and Southwest Riverside Counties. Offering degree programs, such as a specialized accelerated MBA degree, as well as both academic credit and noncredit professional enrichment courses, Extended Learning helps individuals and organizations achieve their educational and training goals. For more information about Extended Learning at CSUSM please visit http://www.csusm.edu/el/.

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