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Howard University Hosts FEMA Emergency Management Training
The realities of Sept. 11, Hurricane Katrina and Virginia Tech were not far from the minds of the first responders at several colleges and universities in the Washington Metropolitan Area as they convened at Howard University for a three-day emergency management training offered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The intense and interactive training designed for higher educational institutions covered a range of hazards and best practices on responses to fires, explosions, inclement weather and man-made hazards. It equips participants with knowledge and planning strategies to protect lives, property, and operations more effectively and efficiently within the context of comprehensive emergency management.
The teams from Howard University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, University of the District of Columbia, Gallaudet University and Prince George’s Community College and walked away with tangible lessons for their home institutions.
“Training is just the beginning,” said George Nunez, Director of the George Washington University Office of Emergency Management. “It is certainly not the end, but it is a good foundation for us to build upon. We have additional tools that will be helpful for our Consortium of Universities.”
Several members of the HU – Emergency Management Team participated in a pilot training last summer in Emmitsburg, Md., and that team recommended that the training be brought to Washington D.C. so that other universities within the D.C. Consortium of Universities could also have their personnel receive this training.
“The course was a tremendous success,” HU Chief of Police Leroy James said. “Emergency management training is critical to ensure that we are equipped in the event of a hazard. We had a representative contingent from Howard, including University Police, Student Affairs, Communications, Residence Life, Safety and Physical Facilities.”
FEMA provides the training free of charge to institutions that are able to act as hosts. The Howard University Police Department and the Emergency Management Team collaborated to offset the cost of hosting the event. The planning committee also received in-kind donations from other university departments.
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