Best of 2013: Tribal Emergency Management

Omaha – It was a special year for UNO in 2013 with countless events, achievements, special guest visits and national recognitions for students, faculty, staff and alumni.

In October, UNO announced it would be partnering with the Tribal Emergency Management Association (iTEMA) to create the country’s first certificate in emergency management designed for members of tribal nations.

The partnership would allow for UNO's Emergency Services Program, which is run by professor Pat O'Neil, and Native American Studies Program, which is run by professor Ed Zendejas, to create a certificate program that would be administered by iTEMA's to its partnering organizations. As part of the partnership, the certificate could then be used for credit at institutions for higher education that cater specifically to members of tribal nations acround the country.

“We are excited about this partnership with UNO because it formalizes tribal emergency management services as a specialized field of study,” said Jake Heflin, president of iTEMA, after the partnership was announced. “This is about promoting and enhancing tribal sovereignty and developing future generations of tribal emergency managers and tribal emergency service providers.”

The goal of the certificate would be to provide tribal nations with the hands-on training needed to respond quickly and effectively to disasters. Because many tribal nations are soverign from the United States, having trained emergency responders is a neccesity.

Planning is currently underway for structuring the certificate. Once the design is completed, it will need to be approved by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents before courses will begin being offered.

Related Links:
iTEMA Homepage
Omaha World-Herald Article on Partnership

Previous 'Best of 2013':
A Monumental Announcement