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Tennessee State University to Host National Higher Education Emergency Management Conference

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University has been selected as the host institution for the 2018 Best Practices in Higher Education Emergency Management Conference May 22-24.

The sixth annual conference will bring together more than 200 emergency management practitioners, first responders, consultants and volunteers to share best practices and lessons learned.

TSU was awarded the Best Practice Trophy for its unique urban-agriculture and cutting-edge emergency preparedness initiatives. (Photo by Emmanuel Freeman, TSU Media Relations)

TSU, the first HBCU selected to host the conference, was recognized for its unique urban-agriculture and cutting-edge emergency preparedness initiatives that have earned the university many accolades including a Storm Ready designation.

As a result of the recognition, TSU was presented with the Best Practice Trophy at this year’s conference at Virginia Tech, and subsequently selected to host the 2018 conference.

“We are honored to be selected as the host of next year’s conference,” said Dr. Curtis Johnson, associate vice president for administration and chief of staff. “We have made major strides in preparing the university against natural disaster and acts of terrorism. To be recognized as a Best Practice institution shows that Tennessee State University is in the right direction in ensuring that we provide a safe and secure environment for our students, staff and faculty.”

Thomas Graham, director of TSU’s Office of Emergency Management, said TSU looks forward to the conference and to let participants from other institutions see some of the initiatives TSU has put in place to keep its campus safe.

Graham noted that TSU offers “several preparedness classes for faculty, staff and students, as well as alumni and the Jefferson Street community.”

For more information about Emergency Management, the conference, and to find out about preparedness classes, visit

http://www.tnstate.edu/emergency/emconf2018.aspx

 

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

With more than 8,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 38 bachelor’s degree programs, 25 master’s degree programs and seven doctoral degrees. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.

 

NEWS

TSU Staffer Graduates From FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Thomas Graham recently graduated from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Emergency Management Basic Academy after completing the full curriculum that provided the basic knowledge and skills to help graduates meet the unpredictable challenges in the field of emergency management.

Thomas Graham, assistant director of Emergency Management at Tennessee State University, receives his certificate of training from Edward Smith, acting deputy superintendent at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. Graham graduated from the Agency’s Basic Academy Dec. 18, 2014.
Thomas Graham, assistant director of Emergency Management at Tennessee State University, receives his certificate of training from Edward Smith, acting deputy superintendent at FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. Graham graduated from the Agency’s Basic Academy Dec. 18, 2014. (courtesy photo)

Graham, assistant director of Emergency Management at Tennessee State University, completed the five courses at the Academy that includes Foundations of Emergency Management; Science of Disaster; Planning: Emergency Operations; Exercise Design; and Public Information and Warning.  Students are required fulfill a total of 167 hours of training.  Graham completed the course Dec. 18, 2014.

Located at the Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, Md., the Academy offers students the tools to develop comprehensive foundational skills needed in emergency management.  For those who are new to emergency management or for those who are transferring from another profession, the Academy also provides a unique opportunity to build camaraderie and establish professional contacts.

Students also learned to understand the roles, responsibilities and legal boundaries associated with emergency management. FEMA’s National Emergency Management Academy is the entry-point for individuals pursuing a career in emergency management.  It’s the first phase of FEMA’s new Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP).

The goal of the Basic Academy is to support the early careers of emergency managers through a training experience combining knowledge of all fundamental systems, concepts and practices of cutting-edge emergency management.

In July 2014, Graham was instrumental in helping the University obtain the StormReady designation. Presented by the National Weather Service, the designation states TSU had met all the “rigorous criteria” for a StormReady designation by developing an all-hazard safety plan and communications infrastructure, as well as actively promoted all hazardous weather safety through public awareness activities and training.

 

 

 

Department of Media Relations

Tennessee State University
3500 John Merritt Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37209
615.963.5331

About Tennessee State University

With more than 9,000 students, Tennessee State University is Nashville’s only public university, and is a comprehensive, urban, co-educational, land-grant university offering 42 undergraduate, 24 graduate and seven doctoral programs. TSU has earned a top 20 ranking for Historically Black Colleges and Universities according to U.S. News and World Report, and rated as one of the top universities in the country by Washington Monthly for social mobility, research and community service. Founded in 1912, Tennessee State University celebrated 100 years in Nashville during 2012. Visit the University online at tnstate.edu.