WSEMA Member MJ Thomas always loved planning, and funny enough, her boss recognized that passion early on but also saw room for growth. MJ was entrusted with leading the planning program for her jurisdiction around the same time she applied to PPP. On this page she lays out the steps and provides some insight into why you should become a planning practitioner.
The Planning Practitioner Program (PPP) is designed for advanced emergency management professionals who focus on emergency planning, policy development, and operational planning within the preparedness cycle. If you have a vested role in planning for your jurisdiction, this may be the program for you! Ideal candidates for the PPP will have (5) five years of experience in emergency planning, stakeholder selection and engagement, risk analysis, forming solutions, addressing programmatic issues, and systems mapping.
The Planning Practitioner Program (PPP) consists of two (2) resident courses: E0237 and E0238. These courses are each five (5) days in length. Additionally, candidates must complete the K0243 PPP Capstone Presentation. The courses are not offered individually, and candidates must complete the two classroom courses in sequential order. Participants must apply and be selected by an annual evaluation board.
E0201 Planning Process Theory and Application
- Planning Theory and application
- Project Management in the Planning Process
- Stakeholder selection and engagement
- Problem mapping and comprehensive risk analysis
- Complex Adaptive Systems in Emergency Management
- Application of the six-step planning process
E0238 Planning Integration and Contemporary Issues
- Planning Program Management
- Standards and the evaluation of a planning program
- Non-traditional partners and activities
- External implications to the planning program
- Advocating and advancing the EM planning profession
- Research Project
K0203 PPP Capstone Presentation
PPP candidates will have one year to develop a planning project management plan, system map, and essay, and presentation for review to a panel of SME’s. This will be conducted virtually via Adobe Connect at a pre-designed time slot indicated during the E238 course. Candidates will not receive their PPP Certificate until the K0243 Capstone is successfully completed.
Required Prerequisites
There are 9 required prerequisite courses that must be completed before applying to the PPP program:
- IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System
- IS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents
- IS-230: Fundamentals of Emergency Management
- IS-235: Emergency Planning
- IS-236: Introduction to Deliberate Planning
- IS-240: Leadership and Influencing
- IS-242: Effective Communication
- IS-700: Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- IS-800: National Response Framework, An Introduction
Alternatively, a certificate of graduation from the Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) Basic Academy (2018 or later) will satisfy the prerequisites for the PPP Program.
Recommendations for Success in PPP
Familiarize Yourself with CPG 101!
CPG 101 provides guidance on developing emergency operations plans and outlines best practices for planning teams. It emphasizes flexibility and adaptability in emergency planning.
Tip: CPG 101 is required reading for the class, so make sure to read through it at least once before attending. The course follows its guidelines, and given the document’s length, you’ll appreciate having some prior familiarity before diving in.
Engage in Planning Activities!
Participate in as many planning meetings, workshops, and plan reviews as possible. Get involved in developing a variety of plans (hazard mitigation, continuity, comprehensive emergency management plans, etc.) to further strengthen your ability to apply program concepts effectively.
Tip: Familiarize yourself with your jurisdiction’s plans and how they interconnect. Be familiar with your jurisdiction’s planning process as well, you may have the opportunity to refine it through this course.
The Path to Completing the PPP
The journey to completing the PPP is unique to each individual. I found it to be extremely beneficial to have experience with developing a range of emergency plans as well as being well-versed in my jurisdiction’s planning process.
If you are considering applying for the PPP, know that your capstone project must involve the development and implementation of an emergency plan. It cannot be a plan that you have previously worked on or completed in the past. Develop a plan for your capstone project with your leadership before you apply.
Being a planning practitioner helps you to follow best practices but also ensures you are building a program that is well developed, thoroughly documented (for continuity purposes of course!), and supported by other staff.
PPP assists you with becoming a better planner and gives you access to the best minds in the field. The program is rigorous—it requires significant time and effort. The most valuable takeaway from PPP was learning how to develop a well-defined, documented, and peer-supported planning process—one that aligns with FEMA best practices while also fitting the way our city staff operates. Now, as I continue refining our plans for the city, I’m applying that structured approach, and the response from staff has been overwhelmingly positive. They appreciate the clarity and organization it brings, and I’m excited to keep building on this foundation.
*Please note: this program is in its infancy and may change as it grows and receives feedback from each cohort.
If you have questions about the Planning Practitioner Program, you can reach MJ at mjthomas@rentonwa.gov or on LinkedIn, Emergency Management Coordinator
