Kane County Emergency Management Director Earns Prestigious National Credential

Kane County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Scott Buziecki recently received the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®) designation during the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Annual Conference in Long Beach, California.

The CEM designation is considered the highest professional credential in the emergency management profession. Candidates must demonstrate professional experience, training, contributions to the field, and successfully complete a comprehensive examination and credential review process.

According to IAEM, fewer than 3,000 emergency management professionals worldwide currently hold the designation, including just 56 professionals in Illinois as of June 2026.

In addition to receiving the credential, Buziecki presented a conference session titled Leadership Strategies for Building High-Functioning Emergency Management Volunteer Programs, sharing lessons learned from Kane County's volunteer emergency management program with attendees from across the nation. The OEM volunteer program has over 70 volunteers who contributed more than 14,000 hours at a value of over $500,000 in FY 2025. 

"It was an honor to represent Kane County among emergency management professionals from around the country," Buziecki said. "The conference provided an opportunity to share our experience, connect with colleagues, and continue professional development in a field that is constantly evolving."

The annual IAEM conference brings together emergency management professionals from government, nonprofit organizations, academia, and the private sector to discuss emerging issues, exchange ideas, and recognize achievements within the profession.

Buziecki received the CEM designation during the conference's annual awards banquet on Wednesday. The credential must be maintained through ongoing professional development and periodic recertification.