Australasian Institute of Emergency Services

Certified Emergency Services Manager (CESM)

• About CESM
• CESM Qualified Members

Current members who have qualified for the CESM designation

The following AIES members have qualified for the designation of Certified Emergency Services Manager (CESM)

How do I apply?

All information is available in the Member Portal

Meet our first Certified Emergency Services Manager

Kate Goldsmith is the first recipient of the CESM.

Kate is the Acting Emergency Management Coordinator at Moira Shire Council, where she leads the planning, coordination, and evaluation of emergency management activities. She also has a strong background in hospitality and business development, which enables her to build effective relationships with key stakeholders and partners. Kate was responsible for coordinating the Moira Shire Council flood response during the October 2022 event, including speaking at the subsequent Parliamentary Inquiry into the flood response.

Another exciting achievement for Kate has been The "First 72 – What Are You Going To Do?" program. A pioneering community resilience initiative, has emerged through a collaborative effort between Moira Shire Council and Alpine Shire Council. Inspired by the success of Corangamite Shire's 72-hour program, Karen van Huizen MAIES and Kate Goldsmith CESM MAIES spearheaded this project with the goal of preparing communities for emergencies in alignment with the Victorian State Emergency Management Plan (SEMP).

The program is meticulously designed to meet the expectations outlined on page 10 of the Victorian SEMP, emphasising shared responsibility. Leveraging the experiences and successes of Corangamite Shire, the councils obtained permission to adapt and customise elements of their program to suit the unique needs of Moira Shire and Alpine Shire communities. In a testament to inclusive planning, the collaboration extends beyond the two councils, involving key stakeholders such as the Hume Regional CFA, SES, and the Albury Wodonga Ethnic Communities Council. The aim is to ensure that the program caters to diverse needs, including considerations for dyslexia, colour blindness, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for First Nations and LGBTQI communities.

Recognising the budgetary constraints faced by local governments, the program's collateral is designed to be transferable to various Local Government Areas (LGAs) with minimal modifications. The commitment to a 'one brand, one message' vision ensures a consistent visual identity across the Hume Region, promoting a unified understanding of emergency preparedness. The comprehensive media kit, ready for state wide distribution and adaptable for national use, comprises brochures in both print and PDF formats, worksheets, pull-up banners, logos, and social media assets. The program's promotional items, such as tear drop flyers, magnets, envelopes, and bumper stickers, add a tangible element to outreach efforts.

Kate expresses immense pride in the program's launch. They emphasise the user-friendly nature of the materials, aiming to empower individuals to understand and replicate the program within their homes, families, and communities. With a vision of self-sustaining community sessions, the program stands as a testament to proactive and collaborative disaster preparedness efforts. Kate is passionate about enhancing the resilience and safety of communities in the face of disasters and emergencies. She is a Certified Emergency Services Manager (CESM) with the Australasian Institute of Emergency Management (AIES) and a member of several professional networks, such as the Australasian Women in Emergencies Network (AWE) and the International Association of Emergency Management (IAEM). She has completed a Bachelor of Emergency Management at Charles Sturt University, where she has also twice received the Executive Dean's Award for academic excellence.