Coordinating Higher Education Coordinating Higher Education Programs in Emergency Programs in Emergency

ManagementManagement

A Perspective from Emergency A Perspective from Emergency Administration and Planning (EADP) Administration and Planning (EADP)

at the University of North Texasat the University of North Texas

First Things First . . .First Things First . . .

But Seriously . . .But Seriously . . .

A brief introductionA brief introduction DisclaimerDisclaimer Questions and comments are invitedQuestions and comments are invited

Goals of the PresentationGoals of the Presentation

Provide background information about the EADP Provide background information about the EADP programprogram

Discuss the difficulties confronting emergency Discuss the difficulties confronting emergency management programs (both generic and specific)management programs (both generic and specific)

Highlight what EADP has done/is doing to Highlight what EADP has done/is doing to overcome themovercome them

Explore future challenges/opportunities Explore future challenges/opportunities

History of the Emergency History of the Emergency Administration and Planning Administration and Planning

(EADP) Program(EADP) Program

An outgrowth of North Texas State University’s An outgrowth of North Texas State University’s continuing education for the Federal Emergency continuing education for the Federal Emergency Management AgencyManagement Agency

Proposed as an academic degree in 1983Proposed as an academic degree in 1983 Became fully operational in Summer 1984Became fully operational in Summer 1984 The first to offer a Bachelor of Science in the field The first to offer a Bachelor of Science in the field

according to the Education Commission of the United according to the Education Commission of the United StatesStates

History of the EADP Program History of the EADP Program (cont.)(cont.)

Originally taught from a practitioner’s Originally taught from a practitioner’s viewpointviewpoint

Developed a strong academic orientation in Developed a strong academic orientation in the mid 1990sthe mid 1990s

EADP Student BaseEADP Student Base

Historically made up of practitioners Historically made up of practitioners seeking a career change or additional seeking a career change or additional credentials and qualificationscredentials and qualifications

Now includes more traditional, pre-career Now includes more traditional, pre-career studentsstudents

EADP GraduatesEADP Graduates

Local and State Local and State Emergency Emergency

Management Management OfficesOffices

FEMAFEMA Other Federal Other Federal Agencies (EPA, Agencies (EPA,

OFDA)OFDA)

Foreign Foreign GovernmentsGovernments

American Red American Red CrossCross

International International OrganizationsOrganizations

Business Business ContinuityContinuity

CompaniesCompanies

Transportation Transportation FirmsFirms

OtherOther

EADP Faculty and Adjunct EADP Faculty and Adjunct InstructorsInstructors

David McEntire, Ph.D.David McEntire, Ph.D. Terry Sullivan, Ph.D. Terry Sullivan, Ph.D. Rich Weber, M.A.Rich Weber, M.A. Jim Legrotte, M.S.Jim Legrotte, M.S. Rob Holman, M.E.Rob Holman, M.E. Kirk Driver, M.P.A.Kirk Driver, M.P.A. OthersOthers

Generic Challenges for Generic Challenges for Emergency Management Emergency Management

ProgramsPrograms Recruiting studentsRecruiting students Acquiring relevant information resourcesAcquiring relevant information resources Integrating theoretical and applied Integrating theoretical and applied

approachesapproaches Providing the “big picture”Providing the “big picture” SpecializationSpecialization

Facilitating Student RecruitmentFacilitating Student Recruitment

Develop a logoDevelop a logo

Facilitating Student RecruitmentFacilitating Student Recruitment

Develop a logoDevelop a logo Produce a brochureProduce a brochure Send out an information kitSend out an information kit Generate a news letterGenerate a news letter Get exposure on the webGet exposure on the web Educate prospective studentsEducate prospective students Offer a new course to recruit studentsOffer a new course to recruit students Provide social activitiesProvide social activities Acquire scholarship funds Acquire scholarship funds Maintain contact with degree advisorsMaintain contact with degree advisors Improve course content and instructionImprove course content and instruction

Acquiring Relevant Acquiring Relevant Information ResourcesInformation Resources

Request FEMA/state/Red Cross training Request FEMA/state/Red Cross training materials and publicationsmaterials and publications

Acquire FEMA’s Higher Education coursesAcquire FEMA’s Higher Education courses Obtain documents from local jurisdictionsObtain documents from local jurisdictions Order books related to emergency Order books related to emergency

management management Subscribe to scholarly journalsSubscribe to scholarly journals

Providing a Strong Theoretical Providing a Strong Theoretical FoundationFoundation

Origins of the field (Sociology of disaster)Origins of the field (Sociology of disaster) Definitions of hazards, disasters, vulnerability, etc. Definitions of hazards, disasters, vulnerability, etc. Goals of emergency managementGoals of emergency management Four phases of emergency managementFour phases of emergency management Three sectors of emergency managementThree sectors of emergency management 2 foundations of emergency management2 foundations of emergency management Popular concepts such as resistance, resilience, Popular concepts such as resistance, resilience,

sustainable development, etc.sustainable development, etc.

The Need for an Applied The Need for an Applied ApproachApproach

Would you want a doctor to operate on you Would you want a doctor to operate on you who had no practical skills?who had no practical skills?

Students desire both theory and practical Students desire both theory and practical applicationapplication

Prospective employers want people who Prospective employers want people who will contribute with minimal training!will contribute with minimal training!

Some practitioners are not getting the Some practitioners are not getting the training they needtraining they need

Complementing Theory With:Complementing Theory With:

Practical knowledge, skills and abilitiesPractical knowledge, skills and abilities Field tripsField trips InternshipsInternships Group projectsGroup projects

Practical KSAsPractical KSAs Recognizing important disaster terminologyRecognizing important disaster terminology Understanding the legal basis of the fieldUnderstanding the legal basis of the field Assessing hazards and vulnerabilitiesAssessing hazards and vulnerabilities Knowing what a mutual aid agreement isKnowing what a mutual aid agreement is Writing and revising plans, developing resource listsWriting and revising plans, developing resource lists Creating disaster exercise scenariosCreating disaster exercise scenarios Involvement in disaster simulationsInvolvement in disaster simulations Setting up an EOCSetting up an EOC Implementing ICSImplementing ICS Spotting severe weatherSpotting severe weather Using computer technologyUsing computer technology Comprehending recovery (DA, PA, IA, DRC) Comprehending recovery (DA, PA, IA, DRC) Public speakingPublic speaking Participating in group projectsParticipating in group projects

Field TripsField Trips

FEMA Region VI HeadquartersFEMA Region VI Headquarters FEMA National Disaster Application FEMA National Disaster Application

CenterCenter Local Emergency Operations CentersLocal Emergency Operations Centers Red Cross ChaptersRed Cross Chapters National Weather Service OfficeNational Weather Service Office Corporations (Cura, Hulcher Services)Corporations (Cura, Hulcher Services) Other (Airports, Hospitals, etc.)Other (Airports, Hospitals, etc.)

InternshipsInternships

Required as part of degree at UNTRequired as part of degree at UNT Reinforce theory Reinforce theory Develop practical skillsDevelop practical skills Provide networking opportunitiesProvide networking opportunities Give real world experienceGive real world experience Ease transition to a careerEase transition to a career Lead to employmentLead to employment

Ideas for InternshipsIdeas for Internships FEMAFEMA Local emergency management officesLocal emergency management offices Red CrossRed Cross Airline companies/airportsAirline companies/airports HospitalsHospitals Transportation companiesTransportation companies Operation Lone StarOperation Lone Star Congressional officesCongressional offices International relief organizationsInternational relief organizations Police and fire departmentsPolice and fire departments OtherOther

Managing InternshipsManaging Internships

Seek internship opportunitiesSeek internship opportunities Educate new students on the internship processEducate new students on the internship process Ensure students are ready for internshipEnsure students are ready for internship Select an internship based on student’s career Select an internship based on student’s career

objectiveobjective Coordinate the internshipCoordinate the internship Educate the internship hostEducate the internship host Follow up as neededFollow up as needed Meet periodically as a classMeet periodically as a class Conduct EvaluationsConduct Evaluations

Group ProjectsGroup Projects

Assess hazards and vulnerabilitiesAssess hazards and vulnerabilities Revise emergency operations plansRevise emergency operations plans Participate in exercisesParticipate in exercises Facilitate university preparednessFacilitate university preparedness OtherOther

Providing the “BIG PICTURE”Providing the “BIG PICTURE”

Required coursesRequired courses Guest lecturersGuest lecturers ConferencesConferences Program accreditationProgram accreditation Advisory BoardAdvisory Board

Required CoursesRequired Courses Geography or GeologyGeography or Geology Technical WritingTechnical Writing Introduction to Emergency ManagementIntroduction to Emergency Management Hazard MitigationHazard Mitigation Emergency PreparednessEmergency Preparedness Disaster ResponseDisaster Response Disaster RecoveryDisaster Recovery Leadership and Organizational BehaviorLeadership and Organizational Behavior Capstone Course in Emergency ManagementCapstone Course in Emergency Management

Guest LecturersGuest Lecturers The role of FEMAThe role of FEMA Disaster response operationsDisaster response operations Disaster planningDisaster planning Warning systemsWarning systems Community educationCommunity education Emergency management grantsEmergency management grants The insurance industryThe insurance industry Companies involved in recoveryCompanies involved in recovery TerrorismTerrorism Project ImpactProject Impact

Guest Lecturers (cont.)Guest Lecturers (cont.) Disaster exercisesDisaster exercises Careers in emergency managementCareers in emergency management Business continuity planningBusiness continuity planning Hazardous materials managementHazardous materials management Wind engineeringWind engineering Office of the Inspector GeneralOffice of the Inspector General Flood plain managementFlood plain management Red Cross organization and operationsRed Cross organization and operations Hospital risk managementHospital risk management University disaster preparednessUniversity disaster preparedness Etc.Etc.

ConferencesConferences

Disaster DayDisaster Day Professional DevelopmentProfessional Development State ConferencesState Conferences Professional AssociationsProfessional Associations OtherOther

Program AccreditationProgram Accreditation

Internal/external reviewer committeeInternal/external reviewer committee Academic focusAcademic focus Identification of strengths and weaknessesIdentification of strengths and weaknesses Unintended but beneficial consequencesUnintended but beneficial consequences

Advisory BoardAdvisory Board

Practitioner orientationPractitioner orientation Selection criteriaSelection criteria

– All hazards, phases, and sectors/levelsAll hazards, phases, and sectors/levels Annual meetingsAnnual meetings

– Review of progressReview of progress– Analysis of degree requirementsAnalysis of degree requirements– Discussion of syllabi and course contentDiscussion of syllabi and course content– Recommendations for the futureRecommendations for the future

SpecializationSpecialization

Elective coursesElective courses

Elective Courses Elective Courses

Images of Natural and Technological Disasters in Images of Natural and Technological Disasters in Film and MediaFilm and Media

Hazardous Materials Planning and ManagementHazardous Materials Planning and Management Special Populations and DisastersSpecial Populations and Disasters Computers in Emergency ManagementComputers in Emergency Management International DisastersInternational Disasters Private Sector IssuesPrivate Sector Issues Terrorism and Emergency ManagementTerrorism and Emergency Management The Federal Government and DisastersThe Federal Government and Disasters Flood Plain ManagementFlood Plain Management

Additional ElectivesAdditional Electives

Public AdministrationPublic Administration Public ManagementPublic Management Financial Aspects of GovernmentFinancial Aspects of Government American Intergovernmental RelationsAmerican Intergovernmental Relations Public Policy AnalysisPublic Policy Analysis Collective BehaviorCollective Behavior Sociology of DisasterSociology of Disaster MeteorologyMeteorology Geographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems Risk ManagementRisk Management Workplace Health and SafetyWorkplace Health and Safety

Specialization (cont.)Specialization (cont.)

Elective coursesElective courses Minor (required)Minor (required) InternshipInternship

Future Opportunities for Future Opportunities for Emergency Management Emergency Management

ProgramsPrograms

Expand into the private sectorExpand into the private sector Focus on the internationalization of the fieldFocus on the internationalization of the field Integrate technological applications into the Integrate technological applications into the

degreedegree Maintain balance between theory and practiceMaintain balance between theory and practice Increase focus on mitigation and preventionIncrease focus on mitigation and prevention Move towards holistic and multi-disciplinary Move towards holistic and multi-disciplinary

approaches approaches

Future Opportunities for EADPFuture Opportunities for EADP

Hire additional professors (with diverse areas of Hire additional professors (with diverse areas of expertise)expertise)

Restructure courses?Restructure courses? Continue to expand course offerings (into hard Continue to expand course offerings (into hard

sciences, engineering, chemistry, medicine, non-sciences, engineering, chemistry, medicine, non-profit management, political science, tourism, profit management, political science, tourism, social work, psychology, etc.)social work, psychology, etc.)

Develop student portfoliosDevelop student portfolios Have CCE manage internshipsHave CCE manage internships

ConclusionConclusion

There are many challenges facing higher There are many challenges facing higher education programs in emergency education programs in emergency managementmanagement

There are many creative ways to overcome There are many creative ways to overcome these difficultiesthese difficulties

Forums such as this and networking will Forums such as this and networking will help us to better educate the future help us to better educate the future generation of emergency managersgeneration of emergency managers

Questions or Comments?Questions or Comments?

David A. McEntire, Ph.D.David A. McEntire, Ph.D.Emergency Administration and PlanningEmergency Administration and Planning

Department of Public AdministrationDepartment of Public AdministrationUniversity of North TexasUniversity of North Texas

P.O. Box 310617P.O. Box 310617Denton, Tx 76203-0617Denton, Tx 76203-0617

Dmcentir@scs.cmm.unt.eduDmcentir@scs.cmm.unt.edu(940) 565-2996(940) 565-2996