Johnson County, Missouri

Emergency Management

*** Zac McCormick, intern through the United States Air Force SkillBridge Program, shared this about his time with our agency ***

"As a short-term intern, I had the privilege of working with the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), where I gained hands-on experience in various aspects of emergency management operations and interagency coordination.

During my time with the agency, I participated in numerous training exercises, including K9 operations, wide-area searches for patients and belongings, and multiple Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training events. I also supported the certification of CERT teams in neighboring counties. These experiences provided me with a deeper understanding of field operations, volunteer coordination, and the importance of preparedness training at the community level.

I was also fortunate to attend County Commissioner briefings, Regional Homeland Security Oversight Committee (RHSOC) meetings, and internal EMA and CERT planning sessions. Through these experiences, I observed firsthand how various jurisdictions and agencies—while distinct in function—rely heavily on mutual coordination and collaboration to effectively manage large-scale emergencies.

The Johnson County EMA team welcomed me as a valued member of their operation, involving me in day-to-day activities that spanned volunteer management, training coordination, grant funding and administration, and the review and refinement of Local Emergency Operating Plans (LEOPs). This comprehensive exposure helped me understand how emergency management integrates with public and private sector partners to develop and execute effective response strategies.

Overall, this internship offered an invaluable opportunity to immerse myself in the complexities and collaborative nature of emergency management, bridging military experience with civilian emergency preparedness and response."

Come join our office as an intern and gain real world experience while finishing your degree!

Please contact our office at 660-747-2666 for more information!