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Sept. 5, 2003
The Virginia Campus is READI For Action
By Greg
Licamele
Protecting America has taken on a new significance and urgency
in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, and GW is leading an important endeavor
to train first responders from the Washington metropolitan region. The
Response to Emergencies and Disasters Institute (READI) held its grand
opening celebration this summer at GW’s Virginia Campus. Rep. Frank
Wolf (R–VA); Michael Byrne, director, National Capital Region Coordination
for Emergency Response, Department of Homeland Security; and other officials
from the District, Maryland and Virginia attended.
With millions of dollars in congressional funding, READI is a comprehensive
training center that integrates the first responder disciplines in a high-technology
setting for maximum preparedness of communities — local, regional
and national. READI builds on the talent of The George Washington, George
Mason and Shenandoah universities in the delivery of best practices for
homeland security.
Curricula will be designed for working emergency and health professionals,
with training components lasting a week or less. Class time will be augmented
with demonstrations and practice scenarios, including mock responses to
nuclear, biological, radiological or conventional terrorist attacks. Recently,
READI conducted a free course for first responders regarding weapons of
mass destruction.
“READI is the latest instance of GW’s commitment of energy and
resources to help make our country a safer place to live,” said University
President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg.
Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu
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