Are you interested in disaster management?

Even if you’re not, this is a terrific opportunity to get some free training and a very useful line on your resume.

FEMA, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, runs a series of disaster management courses called ICS – Incident Command System. It’s basically a management system – figuring out who should do what and when, so that you have a plan in place if the worst happens. The overview for the whole program is here.

There are two ways you can take ICS training courses. The first, if you have a travel budget and some free time, is to go to FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute.

The second, more accessible way, is through FEMA’s Independent Study Program. There’s a wide variety of courses available. You download the materials, study at your own pace, and if you pass the final exam they’ll give you a certificate proving that you’ve passed the course. There are quick and easy instructions for enrollment here.