COD Homeland Security Develops Emergency Management Academy

College of DuPage Homeland Security Training Institute Develops Emergency Management Academy for Community Leaders

Program Designed to Improve Community Crisis Preparedness

Knowing the importance of emergency preparedness and the need to build and strengthen local communities, the Homeland Security Training Institute (HSTI) at College of DuPage recently developed the Emergency Management Academy. The semester-long virtual program provides a unique opportunity for government and private sector responders, emergency workers, planners, decision makers and community residents to come together to assess hazards and capabilities, develop strategic and operations plans and validate those efforts through hands-on training.

“Community emergencies often occur without warning, leaving a short amount of time to take protective actions and save lives,” said HSTI Program Manager John Mondelli. “These events often overwhelm emergency response systems. Each community must have a team of community and elected officials prepared to take immediate actions to bring these incidents under control. When prepared for a disaster, a community or organization can respond more effectively and have a better chance at recovery.”

The academy consists of six interrelated modules as well as an introductory workshop to provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the upcoming course content. Facilitated by 40-year veteran of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Jeremy Kaufman, the six modules explore important topics of emergency management, such as legal regulations and national standards, risk assessment and emergency plan development. Participants also will participate in a series of increased complexity training exercises that validate the community’s level of preparedness.

The Emergency Management Academy begins with an introductory workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28. While attending the workshop is not required, it is highly encouraged. The cost to attend is $75. The first session of the Emergency Management Academy runs 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays Feb. 25, March 4 and 11. The course will be asynchronous (self-paced) or through group exercises. The cost for all six courses is $1,075. Courses build on one another and cannot be taken individually.

“This Academy is unique because the course modules aren’t only lectures,” Mondelli said. “Students will receive training that they can take back to their communities, as well as an emergency plan they can implement right away in their own communities.”

Learn more about the Emergency Management Academy. To register, call (630) 942-2208 and reference EMA course code HSTI-0015-310 or email HSTI@cod.edu for more details.

The Homeland Security Training Institute at College of DuPage is focused on education for law enforcement, fire science, first responders and corporate security personnel in the area of homeland security. Together with the Suburban Law Enforcement Academy, HSTI sets the bar for education of today's current and future generations of emergency responders, private sector security professionals and police officers.