Nearly 50 emergency management, response personnel and community members from the City of Compton, Ca., and across the Los Angeles region trained as a team to strengthen their emergency management skills during the week of July 10. 

The Integrated Emergency Management Branch of the Emergency Management Institute of Emmitsburg, Maryland, conducted the weeklong course which was designed to address specific emergency threats faced by the city.  A team of instructors provided learning opportunities to assist local government and community responders to sustain and improve their ability to communicate and coordinate during an emergency.  Training scenarios included incidents involving train bombings with resultant hazardous material release along transportation corridors in downtown Compton.

“As a new Emergency Management coordinator, I wanted to continue to build my knowledge foundation for my community,” said Stacy Barnes, City of Compton emergency management coordinator. “This course brings important training and subject matter experts to help us move forward. FEMA makes these types of experts accessible to communities like ours.”

The region’s dedication to an efficient response to emergencies is evident in the turnout for the four-day course.

“This course built awareness for the types of emergency planning that is needed,” Barnes said. “City department heads now have a better understanding of their Emergency responsibilities and the need to work together on preparedness for the best response and recovery.”

The Emergency Management Institute conducts approximately 30 Integrated Emergency Management Course programs every year.

Contacts for additional information:

Paul Ganem – training specialist/course manager; 301-447-1172 or paul.ganem@fema.dhs.gov

Al Fluman – Integrated Emergency Management branch chief; 301-447-1299 or al.fluman@fema.dhs.gov