Emergency Management, Terrorism and Pandemic Response

Post-Secondary Programs
Credential Earned: Ontario College Graduate Certificate (1 Year)
Campus: Timmins
Program Length: 2 Semesters

Program Codes
H101 (PC) – Timmins Campus

Designed for current and aspiring disaster management professionals, Northern’s one-year Emergency Management Terrorism and Pandemic Response graduate certificate will give you the comprehensive skills you’ll need to manage operations during a major catastrophe.

Along with in-depth courses in disaster recovery, intelligence fundamentals, cybersecurity and AI, you’ll be immersed in a curriculum that has risk assessment, crisis communication, and legislative frameworks at its core.

Thanks to Northern’s Advanced Disaster Management Simulator (ADMS ) – you’ll practice effective and holistic protocols for just about every imaginable disaster – all in a virtual 3D environment.

It all adds up to you claiming a leadership role alongside government agencies, community stakeholders, and private partners, in a dynamic industry that’s evolving with every new challenge we face.

Contact Information

For questions about being admitted into the program, please contact Northern College Admissions at admissions@northern.on.ca or by phone at 705-235-3211 ext. 7222.

For questions about the content of the program, contact the Program Coordinator.

Michelle Gervais
Program Coordinator
Tel: 705-235-3211 ext. 2122
Email: gervaism@northern.on.ca

Student Success & The Northern Experience

This one year graduate certificate will provide a comprehensive overview and working knowledge of the many facets of Emergency Management, from prevention and mitigation to response and recovery, as well as the ever evolving world of intelligence, yerrorism, cybersecurity and pandemic planning.

Does this program sound like a good fit for you? Connect with us to learn more.

Contact A Recruiter Apply Now

Course Information

Course descriptions can be found below.

Please note, course information is based on our current offering and is subject to change. Current students can find more information on courses in their student account.

If you have questions or require program information for previous academic years, please contact the Program Coordinator.

2024-2025 Academic Year

Semester 1

This course examines and explores communication needs associated with contexts of heightened concern (e.g., crisis, conflict, disasters) that support individuals, organizations and communities making effective risk/benefit decisions, managing fear and uncertainty, and responding to crisis.

42 Hours

This course examines the relationship between hazards and disasters by exploring the historic and contemporary principles, policies, and legal frameworks guiding the field of practice. Analyzes different paradigms for conceptualizing the practice of disaster and emergency management.

45 Hours

This course examines the ongoing changing hazards of the 21st century and explores various approaches to disaster risk management used. The course consists of an in-depth exploration of hazard, vulnerability and resilience as well as analytic review of risk management frameworks that structure the assessment of hazards and their impacts on society.

45 Hours

Intelligence gathering and analysis is an investigative process that supports investigators or operational units during the course of an investigation/disaster management. Through data collection and interpretation, the process of analysis allows analysts and investigators to make sense of assembled facts and discover the nature of relationships between seemingly unconnected elements. The course focuses on the intelligence process, critical thinking, and link analysis techniques. Learners will also apply various analysis techniques to a case study and prepare a criminal intelligence report based on that exercise.

45 Hours

This course examines key influences of the 21st century hazard environments and the implications they have on the practice of disaster management while analyzing decision-making and problemsolving in conditions of uncertainty. Examines current trends and framework in risks assessments.

45 Hours

In this course, students focus on community risk reduction with a focus on fire and life safety education. Students will explore the valuable resources needed and currently used in the field of life safety educators. Through successful completion of course content, students meet all requirements of Fire and Life Safety Educator I defined in Chapter 5 of the NFPA 1035 Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire and Life Safety Educator.

42 Hours

Improving your knowledge and understanding of the history of the Indigenous peoples of what we now call Canada is an important step to enable Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, organizations, and communities to work together more respectfully. Throughout this course you will have the opportunity to learn, discuss and reflect about many topics that are relevant in the learning journey towards reconciliation.

42 Hours

Semester 2

This course is designed to introduce students to the National Incident Management System, emergency operations and the leadership required when dealing with a crisis. Students will explore research and case studies to develop an understanding of how successful teams operate during an emergency.

45 Hours

This course prepares the student to lead and manage various disaster and emergency management projects by applying project management practices, principles, processes, tools and techniques to their work. Project managers must learn to work with the project team and other stakeholders to determine and apply best practices that will lead the project to overall success. By applying the appropriate combination of processes, inputs, tools, techniques, outputs and life cycle phases, students will learn the necessary skills to successful manage complex disaster and emergency projects within prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery phases.

45 Hours

This course is an introduction to hacking tools, techniques, and incident handling. Areas of instruction include an evolution of hacking and penetration testing; the basics of cryptology for information security; footprinting; vulnerability scanning and exploit; wireless, web, and database attacks; malware and system exploit; traffic analysis; incident response; and defensive technologies and controls. In this course, students will learn how to discover vulnerabilities, how to attack and defend systems, how to respond to attacks, and how to identify and design controls to prevent future attacks.  The course is designed to provide a rich learning experience to students through the use of discussions and hands-on exercises on the course material. Learning is reinforced with a course-wide project that provides an opportunity to apply the concepts covered throughout the course to a real-world scenario.

45 Hours

This course will lead the students through exploring the complications of a public health crisis, this course explores the challenges surrounding the ability to prepare, plan and respond to pandemic health disasters as well as mass casualty events. A review of multiple case studies and lessons learn will provide students with the tools and resources needed to prepare and manage such an event.

45 Hours

The Terrorism Response and Recovery course prepares the student to understand the ongoing challenges posed by the threat of domestic/international terrorism, understand the history of terrorism, and explore terrorists’ motives and methods. Students will also review the implications of this new reality on emergency preparedness, management and response actions.

45 Hours

This course will teach students the fundamentals of emergency exercise design by breaking the exercise down into manageable sections. Students will learn the interconnected parts of the exercise, the value of structure, communications and documentation. Students will have an opportunity to work with community partners and develop real time exercises.

45 Hours

Career Ready Graduates

Articulation Agreements

A number of articulation agreements have been negotiated with universities and other institutions across Canada, North America and internationally. These agreements are assessed, revised and updated on a regular basis. Please contact the program coordinator for specific details if you are interested in pursuing such an option.

  1. Develop, review, and update emergency policies and programs based upon relevant legislation, standards, and procedures.
  2. Conduct hazards identification and risk assessments, based on probability and consequence including the formulation of a risk profile addressing public and private sector issues and concerns.
  3. Develop, implement, and maintain a business continuity plan that will ensure the continuation and recovery of normal operations of affected business and industry.
  4. Develop, evaluate, and conduct training programs and exercises to test current emergency management programs.
  5. Assess the integration and compatibility of various emergency policies, plans and procedures of area/regional private and public sectors.
  6. Formulate, implement, and coordinate assigned projects within the community emergency management program within an allocated budget which meet or exceed legislative requirements incorporating a proactive risk management process and global best practices.
  7. Perform operational functions in emergency situations.
  8. Coordinate the development of, and administer public awareness and education programs, emergency information and media relation programs.
  9. Liaise/coordinate with provincial ministries, federal departments, private and public sector enterprises to develop and sustain partnerships to assist with all phases of emergency management strategies while ensuring up-to-date data and research.

Career Opportunities

This graduate certificate will provide the appropriate training for current and aspiring disaster management/ emergency services professionals. Students will be able to pursue employment in the fields of government, emergency management, healthcare, education, NGOs, military, police, fire and community planning.

  • Disaster management professional
  • Emergency services professional
  • Employed by all levels of government

Admissions Information & Requirements

Admission Requirements

Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma or Degree in the related field, OR related work experience in Emergency Management.

Applicants who have not completed a university degree or college diploma may be considered based upon relevant emergency management work experience and/or post-secondary credits achieved.

Additional Requirements for International Students

In addition to the admission requirements, international students must have proof of English Proficiency and meet the requirements below.

1. Degree in a related field of study such as Medicine, Nursing, Law Enforcement, or Emergency Services.

2. English Proficiency (we will require one of the following):

  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System – minimum overall band of 6.5 with no individual Band score under 6.0.
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Computer based overall minimum score of 88, with the minimum of 22 in each component: Reading: 22; Listening: 22; Speaking: 22; Writing: 22.
  • PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic – Graduate Diploma: 60+.

All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependent on the country of citizenship.

For more information, please contact admissions@northern.on.ca.

Tuition, Fees & Payments

Tuition and fees are typically updated yearly for the upcoming Academic Year in May.

Current amount may be based on last years amounts and are subject to change. Ancillary fees vary by campus and program.

If the tuition and fee information for international students does not appear on this page, visit northerncollege.ca/international/tuition to see amounts for general programs.

Please refer to your Student Account for the most up-to-date information.

Student Year Campus Program Code Tuition Ancillary Fees Total Fees
Tuition & Payment Information

Find Your True North.

At Northern College, you’re a part of a community.

From your teachers to support staff and administrators, we are all here to help you get an education and make some lasting connections along the way.

Your success is incredibly important to you, so we provide student supports to help you achieve your goals. From study assistance and accessibility services to mental health supports and financial aid, we’ve got you covered.

Each of Northern’s campuses boasts exercise facilities, a gym, cafeteria, study areas and a library – places that you can go to help keep you focused as you work your way through your studies. The communities we call home are incredible places, filled with amazing people and things to do.

Student Supports & ServicesTimmins campus

Timmins Campus Integrated Emergency Services Complex

Does Northern College sound like a good fit for you?

Here’s how to take your first steps on your new exciting and rewarding career path.

CONNECT WITH A RECRUITERHOW TO APPLY

Back To Top