Earn a Degree or Certificate at Frederick Community College
When it comes to prepping, knowledge is just as important as gear. That’s why FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is a goldmine for preppers. Offering free, self-paced online courses, FEMA EMI covers everything from disaster preparedness to emergency response. Even better, many of these courses can be converted into college credit at Frederick Community College (FCC) through their Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management & Public Safety (MACEM & PS).
Whether you’re a seasoned prepper or just starting out, these courses can help you prepare for emergencies, lead your community, and even earn credits toward an Emergency Management A.A.S. Degree or Certificate—all entirely online. Let’s explore how you can turn free FEMA training into college credit and take your prepping skills to the next level.
Why FCC’s Credit Conversion Program?
FCC’s Credit Conversion Program allows you to convert FEMA Independent Study (IS) courses into college credit. Here’s how it works:
- Cost: It’s $90 per credit to convert FEMA courses into FCC credits.
- Process: After completing eligible FEMA courses, request official transcripts and submit them to FCC for credit conversion.
- Important Note: While FEMA courses are free, converting them to college credit requires a fee. Additionally, completing FEMA courses alone won’t result in a degree—you’ll also need to complete additional EMGT classes and general education requirements at FCC.
FEMA Courses That Convert 1-to-1 to College Credit
Some FEMA courses are eligible for 1-to-1 credit conversion at FCC, meaning one FEMA course equals one college credit. These courses are particularly valuable because they can be applied directly toward FCC’s degree or certificate programs. Here are the top options:
1. IS-8.A: Building for the Earthquakes of Tomorrow
- What You’ll Learn: How to design and construct buildings to withstand earthquakes.
- Why It’s Useful: Essential for preppers living in earthquake-prone areas.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 104 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-8.a Course
2. IS-279.A: Intro to Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Buildings
- What You’ll Learn: Techniques for retrofitting homes to reduce flood damage.
- Why It’s Useful: Critical for preppers in flood-prone regions.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 105 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-279.a Course
3. IS-10.A: Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
- What You’ll Learn: How to care for animals during disasters.
- Why It’s Useful: Perfect for preppers with pets or livestock.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 109 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-10.a Course
4. IS-11.A: Animals in Disasters: Community Planning
- What You’ll Learn: How to integrate animal care into community disaster plans.
- Why It’s Useful: Ideal for preppers involved in community preparedness.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 110 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-11.a Course
5. IS-324.A: Community Hurricane Preparedness
- What You’ll Learn: Strategies for preparing communities for hurricanes.
- Why It’s Useful: Essential for preppers in hurricane-prone areas.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 122 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-324.a Course
6. IS-271.A: Anticipating Hazardous Weather & Community Risk
- What You’ll Learn: How to assess and prepare for hazardous weather events.
- Why It’s Useful: Valuable for preppers focused on weather-related risks.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 127 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-271.a Course
7. IS-230.E: Fundamentals of Emergency Management
- What You’ll Learn: A comprehensive overview of emergency management principles.
- Why It’s Useful: Perfect for preppers who want a deeper understanding of emergency management.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 131 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-230.e Course
8. IS-242.C: Effective Communication
- What You’ll Learn: How to communicate effectively during emergencies.
- Why It’s Useful: Critical for preppers who may need to coordinate with others during a crisis.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 134 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-242.c Course
9. IS-111.A: Livestock in Disasters
- What You’ll Learn: How to care for livestock during disasters.
- Why It’s Useful: Ideal for preppers with farm animals.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 138 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-111.a Course
10. IS-2200: Basic Emergency Operations Center Functions
- What You’ll Learn: The basics of operating an emergency operations center (EOC).
- Why It’s Useful: Essential for preppers involved in community or organizational emergency response.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 161 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-2200 Course
11. IS-366.A: Planning for the Needs of Children in Disasters
- What You’ll Learn: How to address the unique needs of children during disasters.
- Why It’s Useful: Critical for preppers with families or working in childcare.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 180 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-366.a Course
12. IS-103: Geospatial Information Systems Specialist
- What You’ll Learn: How to use geospatial tools for emergency management.
- Why It’s Useful: Valuable for preppers interested in mapping and resource management.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 192 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-103 Course
13. IS-2900.A: National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF) Overview
- What You’ll Learn: An overview of the NDRF and its role in disaster recovery.
- Why It’s Useful: Essential for preppers involved in long-term recovery efforts.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 201 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-2900.a Course
14. IS-545.A: Reconstitution Planning Course
- What You’ll Learn: How to plan for the reconstitution of operations after a disaster.
- Why It’s Useful: Critical for preppers involved in organizational recovery.
- FCC Equivalent: FEMA 214 (1 credit).
- Enroll Here: IS-545.a Course
Other FEMA Courses for Preppers
Some FEMA courses require multiple completions to earn a single college credit. For example:
- IS-100.c and IS-200.c together count as 1 credit (FCC’s FEMA 150).
- IS-700.b and IS-703.b together count as 1 credit (FCC’s FEMA 151).
🔗 Check the full list of FCC’s eligible FEMA courses to see which combinations are required for credit.
How to Earn an Emergency Management A.A.S. Degree at FCC 🎓
FCC offers an Emergency Management A.A.S. Degree that can be completed entirely online. This program prepares students for careers in emergency management, disaster response, and public safety. While FEMA courses can be converted into credit, you’ll also need to complete additional EMGT classes and general education requirements to earn the degree.
Steps to Get Started:
- Complete FEMA Courses: Take the FEMA IS courses that are eligible for credit conversion (see the full list on the MACEM website).
- Submit FEMA Transcripts: Request official FEMA transcripts and submit them to FCC for credit conversion.
- Enroll in FCC’s Program: Apply to FCC’s Emergency Management A.A.S. Degree program and complete the remaining required courses.
▶️ Check out this short playlist for additional info about this opportunity at Frederick Community College:
Emergency Management Certificate at FCC 📜
FCC also offers an Emergency Management Certificate for those who want a shorter, more focused program. This certificate provides a broad education in emergency management and can be completed entirely online. FEMA course credits can be applied toward the certificate.
Other Non-Degree Options 📃
For those interested in specialized training, FCC offers additional non-degree options, such as the Emergency Management Professional Development Letter of Recognition and the Emergency Management Tactical Scholar program.
How to Get Started with FEMA Courses
- Create a FEMA Student Identification Number (SID): Visit the FEMA SID website and follow the instructions to create your SID.
- Enroll in Courses: Visit the FEMA EMI Independent Study Program and browse the course catalog.
- Complete the Courses: Most courses are self-paced and can be completed in a few hours.
- Download Your Certificate: After completing a course, download your certificate of completion.
Conclusion
FEMA courses are a fantastic resource for preppers. They’re free, self-paced, and packed with practical knowledge that can help you prepare for emergencies and even earn college credit. Whether you’re looking to build your skills, lead your community, or advance your education, these courses are a great place to start.
📍 Looking for more free resources to boost your prepping skills? Don’t miss our guide to the Top FREE Coursera Courses for Preppers, where we cover everything from disaster preparedness to self-sufficiency and cybersecurity.
Join the Conversation
💬 Which FEMA course do you think would be most useful for you? Have you taken any already? Comment below! 👇
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