As the sky turned pink and orange over Levy County’s emergency management building, Isaiah Helton (A.S. Criminal Justice ’22, B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies ’22) snapped a picture of the structure with its displayed American flag. Away from his own family for the second time in a month, Isaiah walked past the emergency management truck that sat parked in an empty lot. The quiet moment contrasted with scenes from not long before, when Hurricane Helene tore through the community just north of Crystal River, Florida.
An emergency management coordinator from Escambia County, Florida, Isaiah had deployed alongside Escambia County’s emergency manager to assist during the storm’s aftermath. In Levy County, he served as Planning Section Chief in an Emergency Operations Center. Though his own homebase had been unaffected from the hurricane, Isaiah was ready and willing to help those who had suffered loss. Years beforehand, he had gained the passion and very skillset to do so.
Valuable Student Experiences
Isaiah’s path to becoming an emergency management coordinator started long before he graduated from Pensacola Christian College with two degrees. After his freshman year, Isaiah struggled with his choice of a major and sought advice from a criminal justice faculty member Dr. Barry Walker. “Dr. Walker advised adding an associate’s degree to my bachelor’s studies, which has been invaluable,” Isaiah said. “I use skills from both . . . daily.”
“Pensacola Christian College’s program equipped me with a strong foundation in critical thinking, leadership, and community relations.”
As part of his associate’s in criminal justice, Isaiah took classes such as American Government, Criminology, Security, and First Aid. Classes like these have provided him insight into various concepts related to planning disaster response. As part of his bachelor’s in interdisciplinary studies, Isaiah chose cognates in business and humanities and took several 300- and 400-level courses that would help him succeed in his future career.
It was more than just the career-related content, however, that Isaiah has found valuable. During his time at PCC, Isaiah also strengthened his soft skills. “Pensacola Christian College’s program equipped me with a strong foundation in critical thinking, leadership, and community relations—all essential for emergency management,” said Isaiah. “The program’s focus on practical skills—such as effective communication (speeches and class presentations), time management (juggling small, immediate assignments and large, end-of-semester projects), collaboration (group projects), and writing skills—prepared me for the role I am in now.”
A Meaningful Career Path
Isaiah’s current role took root when he interned with Santa Rosa Emergency Management during the summer after his sophomore year. It was this internship that, according to Isaiah, “sparked my passion for the field.” He explained, “There, I participated in exercises with 911 dispatch, EMS, fire, and military partners. I also assisted with coordinating Covid-19 logistics and drafting emergency procedures.”
After finishing this internship, Isaiah became an intern with Escambia County Emergency Management, moving quickly to the role of part-time specialist then full-time specialist. In October 2023, he accepted the position of emergency management coordinator. In this position, Isaiah juggles many daily responsibilities. According to Isaiah, these include “reviewing disaster plans for healthcare facilities, managing grants, developing disaster-response and recovery plans for the county, activating the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during county-wide emergencies, and coordinating with various agencies and organizations for cohesive efforts.”
“Recently, I’ve been concentrating on cybersecurity measures.”
Though natural disasters may seem to be the key focus of emergency management, Isaiah’s responsibilities involve planning for other threats as well. “Recently, I’ve been concentrating on cybersecurity measures. Cyber threats can disrupt the response of Public Safety and Emergency Management unless we have established backups and partnerships. Fortunately, Escambia County is well prepared and continually enhances its systems, plans, and teams,” Isaiah said.
A Testimony for Christ
In his role with emergency management, Isaiah has been able to put his biblical worldview into action, something that PCC students are challenged to do in classes and chapel. According to Isaiah, PCC’s “emphasis on integrity and ethical decision-making has been invaluable for building trust and establishing reliability in critical situations.” He went on to say, “Ethical decision-making was emphasized in both classes and chapel. My professors, particularly in courses like Criminal Law and Bible Doctrines, placed an importance on evaluating work decisions to determine which best serves Christ’s purpose.”
“A strong testimony sets you apart and allows others to see Christ in you.”
In addition to making ethical decisions, Isaiah has been learning to prioritize his testimony through his attitude, words, and conversations.
“Recently, God has taught me the importance of a good testimony,” Isaiah said. “Sharing my faith, inviting coworkers to church events, and prioritizing moral thinking at work demonstrate to others that, as a Christian, I live differently. Each week, I see how it opens doors at work, whether that be in witnessing to coworkers or earning trust for important responsibilities. A strong testimony sets you apart and allows others to see Christ in you.”
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.