Step 1: PEM Application Process

When you register for the PEM program in MI-TRAIN, you will be asked to provide your local emergency manager’s name and contact information. It is anticipated you have, or will establish, a relationship with this person and are, or will become, a resource to the local emergency management program. Active participation in the emergency management field is expected to maintain the PEM designation.

• Local Emergency Management Coordinators: Applicant will automatically be approved.
• State employees in support of Michigan Emergency Management functions: Applicant will be accepted into the program after confirmation of the state agency/department he/she supports.
• Federal and for-profit employees: Applicant must provide a letter confirming his/her organization’s support of participation in the program.
• Whole community partners/all other participants: Applicant must email a letter of recommendation from an immediate supervisor or past supervisor in the emergency management or related field to msp-em@michigan.gov. After the letter is received by the state, applicant must obtain approval from the Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) identified in their PEM Program application. A copy of the letter of recommendation will be sent to the EMC along with the message below:

This message is to inform you that [Applicant], [Title and Organization], has applied for the Michigan Professional Emergency Manager (PEM) Program. They listed you as their local Emergency Management Coordinator.

Do you recommend their participation in this program? If not, please explain. Your reply is requested within 14 days so we can promptly process this request. You may approve or decline participation or defer this decision to the PEM Advisory Board for a final resolution.

Thank you for your time and commitment to the Michigan Professional Emergency Manager Program.

Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division
Michigan State Police
517-285-9714
www.michigan.gov/emhsd-training