CEM Corner: The comprehensive Essay
 Example of an excellent essay by Jack Vilardi
posted at request of CEM Commission (23 Apr 2009)
In the quest for the CEM®, a
key, yet often underrated,
component is the comprehensive essay. The essay is a key component in the Certified Emergency Manager® application, since it helps to validate the candidate’s overall knowledge of the tenets of emergency management and how they apply in a real-world application. In fact, the essay is designed to take the place of an interview.
Each candidate is given a general scenario, within which the candidate must discuss how he/she would apply the specific KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities) in each of the phases of emergency management. It is very important to address each of the components (the KSAs listed and the four phases of emergency management). What the commissioners are looking for is an expectation of how the candidate would effectively problem solve, not how the candidate solved a previous problem.
An effective essay begins with a powerful thesis statement. The thesis statement drives the essay and sets up the topic sentences that will support the narrative. As the candidate moves through the essay from topic to topic, the essay should transition smoothly, with a high degree of depth and accuracy. The strong thesis statement is another way of saying the problem statement. The terms may be used interchangeably.
The essay should be comprehensive enough to thoroughly explain processes, expected problems and potential solutions to those problems. For example, if the writer were discussing the inclusion of a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in his/her program, he/she would discuss the benefits of a CERT team and the problems or issues likely to be encountered: funding, liability, labor issues with paid emergency management staff, concerns by chief elected officials and other similar issues.
The essay should discuss key emergency management laws or regulations that support the subject matter, as well as anticipated problems and possible solutions to the problems identified.
Spelling, grammar and syntax in the essay are also considered by the CEM® Commission. When the essay is nearing the end, the candidate should write a solid conclusion that ties the essay back to the thesis statement at the beginning of the essay.
Read the instructions carefully, and answer all portions of the scenario in sufficient detail to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of each of the phases of emergency management.
A successful essay is typically about 1,000 words or five pages in length. The essay can be longer or shorter; however, it must discuss all four phases of emergency management, applicable KSAs, laws and regulations, and anticipated problems and possible solutions. A three-page essay likely does not accomplish the goal of covering all subject matter in enough detail.
Write a powerful thesis statement (problem statement) to set the tone and direction of the essay.
Write a conclusion that ties the essay back to the thesis statement.
Proofread the essay for spelling, grammar and syntax.
Make sure to write a statement of authentication,and sign and date it, at the end of the essay.
Make sure to put the essay into a properly tabbed and labeled three-ring binder.
The essay is reviewed and rated by the CEM® Commission for individual components or attributes of the essay. Each component has the following point values:
A point range of 0-3 points is given for each of the 12 KSAs.
A point range of 0-1 points is given for each of the six sections of the essay.
A passing score for the essay is 24 out of 42 possible points.
The CEM® comprehensive essay is a blank canvas for the writer, providing the candidate with an opportunity to showcase his/her knowledge of comprehensive emergency management and to validate that knowledge for his/her peer emergency management professionals.
February 2009, IAEM Bulletin
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