Institute of Emergency Services and Homeland Security

Never before in the history of our nation has the need for efficient and effectively coordinated security been so pervasive or immediate. The recently developed Department of Homeland Security has been summoning all sectors of the population, across many disciplines, to contribute their resources and expertise in an effort to ...prevent terrorist attacks; reduce America's vulnerability to terrorism; and minimize the damage and recover from any attacks that do occur (2002, Homeland Security Mission). Homeland Security's four divisions (Border and Transportation Security; Emergency Preparedness and Response; Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures; and Information Analysis and Infrastructure Protection) are designed to focus resources and efforts across local, state, and national agencies and the services of fire protection, emergency medical services, law enforcement, emergency management and others. Responding to this leadership initiative, the Institute of Emergency Services and Homeland Security (IESHS) at Utah Valley University will work to connect existing programs and security efforts into a cohesive body of working partners.

IESHS will blend the time-tested strengths of existing programs into a single entity that promotes research and enhances education and training across areas sharing a common theme of regional and national security. The preparation of individuals who are directly responsible for security at local, regional, and national levels spans diverse disciplines, such as: fire and emergency medical services, law enforcement, emergency management in both the public and private sectors. The implementation of IESHS allows concentration of efforts within three platforms. These platforms are Academic Development, Research and Specialized Program Development and Emergency Services Staff and Command Development. Placing these platforms within one entity will formalize and enrich communication and research across current programs; generate an environment conducive to the pursuit of external funding support; and support the development of new programs of study at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

The Mission of the Institute of Emergency Services and Homeland Security is to support emergency services delivery and national security through excellence and innovation in education, training, and research. The institutes main area of emphasis is in the First Responder domain, especially Prevention, Preparedness, and Mitigation and is concentrated in (but not exclusively limited to) three specific platforms: Academic Development, Research and Specialized Program Development and Emergency Services Staff and Command Development.

IESHS will articulate and focus the activities of the currently in-place teaching and training programs and services of the three platforms of excellence.