FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 4, 2002
CONTACT: John G. Hammond, Director Office of Public Relations
210/733-2147

SAC's Emergency Management AAS Degree Will Be First in Texas

By this spring, San Antonio College will be the first college in Texas to offer an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Management Administration, pending anticipated approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

"The goal of Emergency Management is to safeguard a community through disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery," said J.D. Richardson, Chairperson of the Protective Services Department. He added that the need for communities to do disaster planning, in the light of the growing threats to our nation, highlights the importance of having trained, professional Emergency Managers.

Richardson said the program is ideal for fire, police, and emergency medical personnel to expand their professional capabilities and also for the traditional student to work in the emergency service field in an administrative capacity.

The range of skills learned in the program includes critical thinking, problem-solving, organization, contingency planning for manmade and natural disasters, and the coordination of local, state, federal and private agency functions in a disaster.

Students may enroll in the program this Spring Semester in core academic courses, then enroll in technical courses available in the Fall 2003 Semester, pending board approval.

For more information about the program, contact J.D. Richardson at 733-2187 or by email at jrichard@accd.edu or jrichard@moment.net.