FEMA, DC HSEMA, Gallaudet enter into emergency management partnership

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (DC HSEMA), and Gallaudet are discussing new inclusive emergency management education partnerships. This dovetails with our new graduate certificate program in Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Planning (DEP, headed by Dr. Audrey Cooper, interdisciplinary lead for the DEP program and program director for the International Development Master of Arts (IDMA) program.)

Heather Harker, Chief of Staff in the Office of the President; Caroline Solomon, Director of the School of Science, Technology, Accessibility, Mathematics, and Public Health; Poorna Kushalnagar, ’93, Chief Research Officer in the Division of Academic Affairs; and Robert Weinstock, ’76 & G-’83, Senior Public Relations Manager in the Office of University Communications attended a news conference and meeting on June 7 at FEMA Region 3 headquarters in Philadelphia. 

The news conference focused on the beginning of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season and what states within Region 3 (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia) could do in response to adverse weather events. The follow-up meeting, which included FEMA and District of Columbia Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency staff, was far-ranging, and included discussion of collaborations with FEMA’s Higher Education and Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology offices, monthly newsletters and quarterly conference calls; summits, webinars, and an annual symposium; and internship and FEMA Corps opportunities for Gallaudet students and graduates. 

More information will be shared this fall.