Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management

Crisis and Emergency Management

Newsletter Website
return to mainpage

November 2004                                                                            Volume 7 - Number 2

Education Update...

Overview of the Response to Emergencies and Disasters Institute (READI) at George Washington University

By Traci Hartmann

Located on the George Washington University Virginia Campus is the Response to Emergencies and Disasters Institute (READI), a homeland security training center with “an integrated approach to major emergencies, with a special emphasis on terrorism prevention, preparedness and response” (“Mission Statement,” www.readi.gwu.edu). Established in the summer of 2003 from $5 million in federal funding, READI provides a “comprehensive center” aimed toward the education and training of first-responders, health officials, city managers, and corporate leaders for disaster “prevention, preparedness and response” (“Mission Statement,” www.readi.gwu.edu). Although the majority of students who attend the READI courses are located within the National Capital Region, numerous responders, managers and leaders nationwide attend the training sessions due to the program’s pertinent content and applicability.

The READI training courses range in attendance from ten to over 200 students for each week-long course, depending on the course topics available. There are four distinct categories in which the courses are organized, including: Awareness, Performance, Management, and Other. Each category addresses a variety of issues confronted by the responders, managers and leaders to whom the courses are advertised. Course topics are developed and approved through the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in response to both internal and external issues present in the research field, as well as the nation’s current events. The recent development of a “Prevention & Response to Suicide Bombing Incidents” course is one such example (“READI Update,” September 2004). Adjunct faculty from various universities and research organizations around the country contribute toward the instruction of these courses, providing a unique information exchange between academia and the public and private sectors. The coordination and execution of the READI programs, therefore, involves numerous participants from a variety of sources that develop and promote applicable information needed by the community.

The Integrative Center for Homeland Security established at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas is a similar such program to READI at George Washington University. However, the Response to Emergencies and Disasters Institute is unique in its focused approach to homeland security education and training within the National Capital Region, and course availability to all those interested in attending, which are given free-of-charge due to federal grant funding. READI is also distinct in its “collaborative effort” with other academic institutions, including George Mason University and Shenandoah University (“READI Update,” September 2004). Within its one-year of service, the READI has trained over 3,000 first responders, representing “more than 95 state, local and not-for-profit agencies” for over 25 communities, in more than 82 training courses made available (“READI Update,” September 2004). The progress of READI during its first-year of operation is indicative, therefore, of the future success of the program as it continues to educate and train those involved with the management of emergencies.

For more information about the Response to Emergencies and Disasters Institute (READI) at George Washington University, please refer to the website: www.readi.gwu.edu.