Partnerships

Emergency Administration and Planning interacts frequently with numerous entities and organizations both on and off campus. The EADP program is housed in the Department of Emergency Management and Disaster Science and works closely with the College of Health and Public Service. EADP has expanded its ties to other academic programs including geography, sociology, criminal justice and others. EADP has contact with officials in:

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency
• The Texas Division of Emergency Management
• The American Red Cross
• and various local emergency management offices

Guest Lecturers

Besides providing a strong theoretical foundation, the EADP program also emphasizes a practical orientation. For this reason, guest lecturers from the public, private and non-profit sectors are frequently invited to participate in class lectures and discussions. These visiting speakers have provided valuable information pertaining to:

 

Internships

The EADP program requires internships for students without relevant professional work experience. Under the direction of a dedicated internship coordinator, students complete a 240 hour internship with public agencies and departments, or in the private and nonprofit sectors.

Field Trips and Study Abroad

Students enrolled in EADP courses participate in field trips to various emergency management offices including FEMA Region VI headquarters, FEMA's National Processing Service Center, the Red Cross Chapter in Dallas, the emergency operations center in Fort Worth, and Texas' emergency operations center in Austin. These trips complement class lectures about theoretical issues, reinforce students' understanding of emergency management concepts and operations, and provide networking opportunities in the real-world setting of emergency management.

In the future, the program will explore the possibility of field trips to the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Weather Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. EADP students have also participated in Study Abroad trips to India, Mexico and Turkey.

Conferences

The EADP program is involved in many conferences with topics ranging from academic debates about current theoretical approaches to practical discussions about ways to improve our efforts to prevent, prepare for, respond to or recover from disaster. Students are strongly encouraged to attend (and in some cases actively participate) in conferences such as Disaster Day Workshops that are hosted by the program and department. Students have likewise attended annual conferences sponsored by FEMA (Higher Education Workshop), professional associations (International Association of Emergency Managers), and state emergency management offices (Texas Division of Emergency Management). These conferences expand the student's knowledge of emergency management and allow for networking opportunities with practitioners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Professional Networking

EADP students are frequently provided with the opportunity to network with professionals in the field in general and in their desired area of specialization. Guest lectures, field trips, internships and conferences are some of the many events and venues that allow students to interact with emergency managers and others.

Service Learning

EADP students have participated in a wide variety of service learning projects. These range from participating in disaster exercises and the updating of the University of North Texas' emergency operations plan to actual involvement in disaster response and recovery operations. These service learning opportunities reinforce what is taught in class, provide students with additional experience and credentials, and help communities and other organizations prepare for and respond to disaster events.

Alumni Support

EADP alumni take an active role in the program. Many graduates visit EADP classes as guest lecturers while others serve an internship hosts. Additionally, EADP periodically organizes conferences and other events for alumni.