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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Rep. Kuhl Secures Funds for HSMI


U.S. Representative John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) announced on Tuesday, July 17, that he has secured $300,000 for MCC's Homeland Security Management Institute to help train first responders to adequately address the needs of the disabled population when responding to disasters.

The funds were secured with an earmark in the Fiscal Year 2008 Labor, Health and Human Resources Appropriations Act, which is expected to be considered on the House floor this week.

"Rochester's large population of deaf individuals and other people who have special needs in the event of a terrorist attack or other catastrophic event is a concern to first responders who need additional training to ensure that they are prepared to help," said Rep. Kuhl.  "I am glad that Monroe Community College will now be able to offer this important training to our area's first responders."

"I am grateful to Congressman Kuhl for recognizing the critical needs of our community in this post September 11 environment, and for acting to meet those challenges head-on," said MCC President R. Thomas Flynn. "This funding allows MCC's Homeland Security Management Institute to expand preparedness training to populations who need it the most."

According to the National Organization on Disability, Americans with disabilities remain insufficiently prepared and anxious about their safety at a higher rate than citizens without disabilities. The funding will be used to develop and deliver awareness-level training for emergency responders that focuses on special needs populations.  Particular emphasis will be placed on developing training that focuses on the deaf since Rochester has the largest deaf population per capita in the nation.

Dianne E McConkey
Public Affairs
07/18/2007