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Introduction to Emergency Management unit (HSP101)

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Unit year 2027

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Location: Online

Introduction

Emergency management is when our communities, the public sector (government agencies), the private sector (businesses) and the not-for-profit sector (charities) work together to strengthen society's capacity to withstand, plan for, respond to and recover from disasters.

This unit provides you with a foundational understanding of emergency management, examining how it operates both nationally and internationally. You will explore the core principles, structures and approaches that underpin emergency management practice across different countries and jurisdictions, building the technical and theoretical knowledge needed to engage with this field.

You will then apply this foundational knowledge and evidence to real-world situations, conducting risk assessments to determine the level of risk present in your own workplace and/or community. This applied focus means the unit is relevant and transferable regardless of your specific area of study or professional background — you will leave with practical risk assessment skills you can use in a known or changing professional context.

If you have an interest in strengthening society's resilience to natural hazards (e.g. bushfires, floods, cyclones, tsunamis) and human-caused disasters (e.g. humanitarian crises, acts of terrorism, environmental incidents), this unit will equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical risk assessment skills to engage with these issues in your own workplace or community.

Summary

Unit name Introduction to Emergency Management
Unit code HSP101
Credit points 12.5
College/School Health
School of Paramedicine and Public Safety
Discipline Policing and Emergency Management
Coordinator Doctor Darryl Stellmach
Available as an elective? Yes
Delivered By
Level Introductory

Sustainable Development Goals

The Unit Coordinator has identified that this unit aligns with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on the alignment of the unit with these goals.

Availability

Location Study period Attendance options Available to
Online Semester 1 This unit is available through off-campus delivery Available to International Students Available to Domestic Students
  • Key:
  • This unit is available through on-campus delivery On-campus
  • This unit is available through off-campus delivery Off-Campus
  • Available to International Students International students
  • Available to Domestic Students Domestic students
Note

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Key Dates

Study Period Start date Census date WW date End date
Semester 1 22/02/2027 16/03/2027 19/04/2027 13/06/2027

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the roles, responsibilities, governance arrangements and operational phases that organise emergency management practice
  • Analyse disaster risks and potential impacts for a workplace or community setting using emergency management concepts and evidence
  • Justify a proportionate emergency management decision in a defined workplace or community scenario using structured risk assessment, relevant authority and ethical reasoning.

Fee Information

Field of Education Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 Domestic Full Fee 4
091105 $2,253.00 $1,057.00 not applicable
  • Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
  • HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
  • FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4

1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern

10 hours weekly content in MyLO includes topic summaries, case studies, short video lectures, summaries of key information, and linked readings/websites, and assessment preparation.

AssessmentCase Study (25%)|Applied Disaster Risk Assessment: Workplace or Community Context (35%)|Interactive Oral Assessment: Presenting and Defending Emergency Management Recommendations (40%)
TimetableView the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required

All reading materials available on MyLO unit site.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.