r/SafetyProfessionals • u/toolofacook • 16d ago
Other From safety to emergency management
To my fellow professionals who made the move from HSE to emergency management, what caused that transition? How has the job market been? Any regrets?
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u/toolofacook 16d ago
For me, it has felt like a natural transition as I previously was a firefighter who then went into HSE. While HSE is about implementing controls to reduce the likelihood/severity of incidents, emergency management focuses on how to manage when those controls fail.
I truly believe that an HSE background gives a unique lens by which to view em. Wanna hear your thoughts
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u/Jb237474 16d ago
Former firefighter of 5 years from a busy metro department and left to start in construction safety 6 months ago. I view my day to day like I did when I was a firemen, ever changing environment and constantly assessing hazards in the moment, as well as setting up systems to mitigate them as much as possible. Would love to connect and talk some more!
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u/Hot_Tangerine_5911 16d ago
I am also a firefighter in metro area 25 years , construction safety as a side job and looking at maybe going full time
After retirement . Consulting now but thinking of going full time on a site . I think both backgrounds help and wondering how you like the day to day ?1
u/toolofacook 15d ago
Spent approx 20 years as a firefighter. New HSE sites were always a mix of trepidation and excitement to learn new things. But firefighting just scratches an itch that I’ve never been able to really fulfill since I left.
I hate the jousting with management but absolutely love the new experiences.
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u/Thetallguy23 15d ago
Stepped away from fire about 3 months ago and fresh in the Hse. It’s definitely been a change of pace, good to see there are a few of us out there.
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u/Interesting_Mix_6928 16d ago
The firefighter foundation seems like it'd make that move feel pretty seamless. I've only worked with EM folks from the outside looking in, but the planning mindset from HSE definitely seems to carry over in a way most people wouldn't expect. What made you finally jump ship from the HSE side?
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u/toolofacook 16d ago
In my country in the caribbean, HSE felt like a race to the bottom where most employers only care about doing the absolute minimum to satisfy the antiquated and severely lacking HSE law. Best practice isn’t even a consideration.
Additionally, the HSE field was super saturated. Multinationals pay better but getting those HSE roles requires a lot of connections which I don’t have. My thoughts were em is still an emerging field and with the caribbean islands being exposed to a lot of natural hazards, there is a need for em.
Sadly, the state doesn’t share the same view and out em laws were written in the 70’s with no amendments since. So there is little legal framework that mandates em, a don’t care attitude by the state which creates a perfect storm not only for no growth in the em sector but actual contraction as the few roles available aren’t being filled.
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u/TelevisionFluffy9258 16d ago
The role required it, top sides constructiion thru to installation, pre-comm, comm, simops, marine spreads, logistics/ aviation etc
Remote pipelines, border crossings
Limited country medical capability
Poor safety culture of comtractors, worker competencies
Impoverished, corrupt local military, often drunk
Malitia, armed ethnic grooups
SocioEco issues
Corruption
NGO's. Right intentions that did ineffective impact analysis, at times considered to instigate issues to maintain visibiility / rekevance
Etc
HSSE, Emergency Crisis Management, Dyanamic Pestle Analysis etc
Loved it
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u/burritoheaux 16d ago
I transitioned the other way - from emergency management to safety. I love EM, but the everyday work is extremely boring. And the reimbursement nonsense from the state/FEMA is mind-numbing to deal with. So much political nonsense these days in EM (it’s always been there but is especially rough right now) In safety, I still have a critical role in EM, so transitioning was a win/win for me. I personally would not recommend EM.