Enhancing the Emergency Management Technology Program

Huiru Shih; Pao-Chiang Yuan; Richterica Tukiya Ford; Thomasina Jenkins

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Conference: 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Seattle, Washington
Publication Date: June 14, 2015
Start Date: June 14, 2015
End Date: June 17, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-692-50180-1
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Curriculum and New Course Development in ET
Tagged Division: Engineering Technology
Page Count: 11
Page Numbers: 26.668.1 - 26.668.11
DOI: 10.18260/p.24006
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/24006
Download Count: 572

Paper Authors

biography

Huiru Shih P.E. Jackson State University

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Dr. HuiRu Shih is a Professor of Technology at Jackson State University. He received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri. Dr. Shih is a registered professional engineer in the state of Mississippi.

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Abstract

Enhancing the Emergency Management Technology Program As natural and man-made disasters pose greater risks to communities, the demand for skilledprofessionals who can manage and mitigate their effects continues to grow. Jackson State University’sEmergency Management Technology (EMT) program was originally developed with assistance from the USDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS). The EMT program strives to prepare the next generation ofemergency management professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to improve outcomes indisasters of all types. In 2014, Jackson State University (JSU) received two additional grants (from DHSand Nuclear Regulatory Commission) to augment the EMT program with new curriculum and state-of-the-art laboratories. One of the DHS Center of Excellence (the Coastal Hazards Center of Excellence) is alsoengaged to provide expertise and guidance in order to enhance EMT program’s research capabilities. The primary goal of the EMT program is to help students gain a well-rounded skill set that will allowthem to succeed in a homeland security or emergency management position. To reach this goal, theexisting courses in Emergency Management Technology need be enriched to induct contents oftelecommunication, nuclear technology, nuclear emergency preparedness, and atmospheric dispersionmodel into the curriculum. Besides developing new courses and course modules, this project team also revises several existingcourses: Application of Computer Technology in Emergency Management, Geographic Information Systemand Remote Sensing (GIS/RS), Hazardous Material Management, and Risk Assessment. It is believed that technology concepts are best learnt with hands-on activities. Therefore, along withenhancing EMT’s existing curriculum, this project team also works on adding and upgrading the laboratoryfacilities. EMT program purchases new equipment to establish “Radiation Instrumentation andMeasurements” Laboratory, “Computer and Mobile Device Application” Laboratory, and Amateur RadioStation. EMT program also upgrades the “GIS and Remote Sensing” Laboratory. The greatest challenge facing emergency response personnel is the ability to train effectively. Recentinformation technologies make it possible to have a wide set of innovative training tools. Virtual reality andenvironments can provide users with the opportunity to create an emergency situation that could nototherwise be experienced due to safety, cost, and environmental factors. This project team developscomputer-based training materials and exercises. The training materials can offer a variety of environmentstailored to various scenarios of emergencies. By using virtual reality program, instructors can involve agroup of students to conduct a virtual live emergency exercise. JSU can offer complete and up-to-date curriculum as well as state-of-the art laboratories for itsstudents in the EMT program.

Citation
Format

Shih, H., & Yuan, P., & Ford, R. T., & Jenkins, T. (2015, June), Enhancing the Emergency Management Technology Program Paper presented at 2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Seattle, Washington. 10.18260/p.24006

TY - CPAPER
AB - Enhancing the Emergency Management Technology Program As natural and man-made disasters pose greater risks to communities, the demand for skilledprofessionals who can manage and mitigate their effects continues to grow. Jackson State University’sEmergency Management Technology (EMT) program was originally developed with assistance from the USDepartment of Homeland Security (DHS). The EMT program strives to prepare the next generation ofemergency management professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to improve outcomes indisasters of all types. In 2014, Jackson State University (JSU) received two additional grants (from DHSand Nuclear Regulatory Commission) to augment the EMT program with new curriculum and state-of-the-art laboratories. One of the DHS Center of Excellence (the Coastal Hazards Center of Excellence) is alsoengaged to provide expertise and guidance in order to enhance EMT program’s research capabilities. The primary goal of the EMT program is to help students gain a well-rounded skill set that will allowthem to succeed in a homeland security or emergency management position. To reach this goal, theexisting courses in Emergency Management Technology need be enriched to induct contents oftelecommunication, nuclear technology, nuclear emergency preparedness, and atmospheric dispersionmodel into the curriculum. Besides developing new courses and course modules, this project team also revises several existingcourses: Application of Computer Technology in Emergency Management, Geographic Information Systemand Remote Sensing (GIS/RS), Hazardous Material Management, and Risk Assessment. It is believed that technology concepts are best learnt with hands-on activities. Therefore, along withenhancing EMT’s existing curriculum, this project team also works on adding and upgrading the laboratoryfacilities. EMT program purchases new equipment to establish “Radiation Instrumentation andMeasurements” Laboratory, “Computer and Mobile Device Application” Laboratory, and Amateur RadioStation. EMT program also upgrades the “GIS and Remote Sensing” Laboratory. The greatest challenge facing emergency response personnel is the ability to train effectively. Recentinformation technologies make it possible to have a wide set of innovative training tools. Virtual reality andenvironments can provide users with the opportunity to create an emergency situation that could nototherwise be experienced due to safety, cost, and environmental factors. This project team developscomputer-based training materials and exercises. The training materials can offer a variety of environmentstailored to various scenarios of emergencies. By using virtual reality program, instructors can involve agroup of students to conduct a virtual live emergency exercise. JSU can offer complete and up-to-date curriculum as well as state-of-the art laboratories for itsstudents in the EMT program.
AU - Huiru Shih P.E.
AU - Pao-Chiang Yuan
AU - Richterica Tukiya Ford
AU - Thomasina Jenkins
CY - Seattle, Washington
DA - 2015/06/14
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Enhancing the Emergency Management Technology Program
UR - https://peer.asee.org/24006
DO - 10.18260/p.24006
ER -