Students enrolled in HLS 260 Disaster Preparedness and Response visited the Kentucky State Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort on March 21, 2023, to learn about recent disasters and how the state responds to disasters. The Kentucky Division of Emergency Management provided the students a tour of the facility and coordinated an exercise during which students has a chance to interact with various functional leads using a simulated disaster scenario.

According to Dr. Chad Foster, the course instructor, “this opportunity allows students to experience, first-hand, and put into practice what we discuss in the classroom as it relates to disaster response and coordination.” “We have had significant disasters recently in Kentucky and it’s great for our future leaders to hear directly from those on the front lines of decision making,” adds Foster.

As a result of the visit, students received an Emergency Operations Center Orientation certificate of completion. Photos of the visit are available via the following site: EKU Students Visit KYEM. Note that the HLS 260 course addresses various facets of disaster
preparedness and response, and students complete it in support of the B.S. in Homeland
Security degree, Minor in Disaster Management, or as an elective.

Published 5/25/2023