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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

HSMI Selected as Lead College to share in $3.5 Million FEMA Grant


 HSMI was notified on Friday they were selected as a lead college to roll out a program of citizen preparedness through a national community college network on specific protective actions to save lives and minimize injuries after a hazardous incident and before the arrival of first responders. The program will prepare two instructor-led training courses to be delivered to a national audience through community colleges and their partner organizations, based on a comprehensive national needs assessment, and prepare 120 strategically located community colleges through a train-the-trainer program. Approximately 4,000 will be trained.

According to HSMI Director John Perrone, MCC and four other colleges in conjunction with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) led this initiative and prepared the competitive grant application. Of the 220 finalists, only eleven proposals were awarded to share in the 2008/2009 competitive grant process.

Director Perrone advises this initiative has broad implications for community colleges on a national basis and recognizes the important role community colleges play in delivering programs to our citizens.

Earlier this year, AACC and the other lead colleges convinced FEMA of our value and signed a formal affiliation agreement that may have led to this award.

Director Perrone credits President Emeritus Tom Flynn for his vision of HSMI being a national leader in promoting community colleges as a natural venue to deliver homeland security training. Director Perrone indicated this award fulfills that vision.
 

John Perrone
Homeland Security Management Institute
09/23/2008