FEMA Partners with Historically Black Colleges And Universities Regarding Emergency Management Workshop 

Release Date: March 30, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-031

Claire Drury, FEMA Mitigation Division, Dr. Ladd Colston, Associate Vice President, Universtiy of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Larry Tunstall, Fire Chief, Richmond, VA, Department of Fire. FEMA photo
Claire Drury, FEMA Mitigation Division, Dr. Ladd Colston, Associate Vice President, Universtiy of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Larry Tunstall, Fire Chief, Richmond, VA, Department of Fire. FEMA photo

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is participating in a two-day workshop on emergency management and mitigation for the Mid-Atlantic Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and the local emergency managers from the surrounding communities. The workshop, held on March 30 and 31 at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, will host sixteen HBCUs and their community emergency managers, representatives from the state emergency management offices in six states and FEMA headquarters and regional office staff.

The goals of the workshop are to provide support to HBCUs and local communities to understand and transfer risk management academic research information to community practitioners. It will promote risk management practices and expertise from community practitioners to the academic community, and foster partnerships between communities and their HBCUs. In addition, the workshop will help promote service learning and community service on the part of students in community risk management efforts.

“As a starting point in this workshop, fundamental key concepts will be discussed so that participants will better understand the current terms of use in the field of emergency management,” said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response.

Anthony S. Lowe, Director of Mitigation Division and Federal Insurance Administrator said, “The workshops will focus on emergency management, pre and post disaster mitigation, planning, partnership building and FEMA higher education initiatives. They will also provide information on readily available opportunities for emergency management-related collaboration, business possibilities, and economic benefits.”

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 31-Mar-2004 11:23:58