MEMS Badge | |
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Basic MEMS Badge
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Awarded by SGAUS | |
Type | Badge |
Awarded for | MEMS Training |
Status | Currently awarded |
Statistics | |
Last awarded | Currently awarded |
The Military Emergency Management Specialist Badge(s) (MEMS Badge) are earned through the State Guard Association of the United States (SGAUS) Military Emergency Management specialist Academy (MEMS Academy). The various skill badges are authorized for wear by various agencies, notably State Guard units and state defense forces. The MEMS Academy was founded by LTC (WA) George H. Heart, Ret. of the Washington State Guard in 1998. The Academy curriculum and training program is structured around the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
The MEMS program curriculum includes online Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) NIMS and ICS courses offered free of charge through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute's (EMI) Independent Study Program. In addition to online FEMA courses, students are required to complete operational practicums that incorporate the learning objectives of the online FEMA courses.
The MEMS Academy curricula are based on the idea of developing areas of common knowledge required at different levels of responsibility in emergency response and use accepted, validated courses available throughout the nation. The principle behind the several MEMS curricula is that individuals with Basic MEMS qualification will have operational understanding of the principles of emergency management, including mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and recovery and have knowledge, skills and abilities needed to effectively work within a comprehensive emergency management operation. Those with Senior and Master level qualification will be able to lead and plan incident response efforts of increasing complexity.
Certification in the MEMS program consists of three levels: basic, senior, and master, with traditional military style badges awarded to students upon completion of each level. In addition to the badges, those students who participate in operational missions may be awarded a distinctive flash, which is worn behind the badge. Participation in the MEMS program is free for current members of the SGAUS; however, nonmembers are required to pay a fee to defray program costs. Once awarded, the badge is permanent.
To qualify for the Basic MEMS Badge, an individual must meet the following requirements: