RICHLAND, Wash. – Following an arduous certification process, an emergency preparedness specialist with EM contractor Hanford Mission Integration Solutions is the only Hanford Site employee to hold a prestigious associate emergency manager (AEM) credential.

Following more than a decade of experience in emergency management, Amanda Lee completed 200 hours of classroom training, supplied a written narrative demonstrating her comprehensive knowledge and expertise on emergency management, and completed a proctored exam that assessed her knowledge in the field.

“Emergency preparedness is the first line of defense for any unexpected crisis or disaster,” Richland Operations Office Emergency Management Lead Lori Peters said. “Having a certified professional as part of the Hanford Site team increases our readiness to successfully respond to any emergency with professionalism and efficiency.”

Emergency preparedness specialist Amanda Lee displays her certification notice inside the Hanford Emergency Operations Center.
Emergency preparedness specialist Amanda Lee displays her certification notice inside the Hanford Emergency Operations Center.
Amanda Lee directs a briefing for an exercise on the Hanford Site following her certification as an associate emergency manager after completing a lengthy training and testing process.
Amanda Lee directs a briefing for an exercise on the Hanford Site following her certification as an associate emergency manager after completing a lengthy training and testing process.

Lee received her AEM certification recently from the International Association of Emergency Managers, a global organization dedicated to emergency management. She joins about 3,000 emergency managers who have received the AEM credential worldwide in the past 25 years.

Lee previously served as a 911 dispatcher, including emergency response to flooding and natural cover fires.

“My experience taught me that effective emergency management and mitigation are an essential part of protecting people and our community,” Lee said. “After completing my Master of Science in leadership with an emphasis in disaster preparedness and executive fire leadership, I wanted to use what I had learned to serve as an authentic leader in the field of emergency management and empower and inspire others.”

Lee’s manager, Cathie Carter, said, “Amanda’s professionalism and experience proved invaluable during the successful response to the partial collapse of a waste storage tunnel in 2017, and she ensures Hanford’s emergency response capabilities are maintained and validated.”