Wayne County official completes FEMA training

Emergency Management Specialist Thomas Brennan of the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency has completed the National Emergency Management Basic Academy through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Disaster and Emergency Management University, marking a professional milestone and reinforcing the county’s commitment to preparedness.

“We are thankful to Mr. Brennan for pursuing this course of study,” Wayne County Commissioner Matt Martin said. “On behalf of the Wayne County Commissioners, we appreciate you and the service you provide in times of need. This course helps ensure that you are prepared to help our community in the unfortunate case of a disaster.”

The academy comprises 120 hours of intensive study including coursework on the science behind natural-disaster threats and hazards and the physics of explosions. The curriculum is designed to build a strong technical and strategic foundation for emergency management professionals operating in an increasingly complex risk environment.

“Emergency preparedness is always evolving. What was a threat 10 years ago might not be the same threat today, so keeping up with training is important,” Brennan said. “We also need to determine what threats impact our community. Obviously, hurricanes don’t impact us as much as the likelihood of a tornado, so we focus on weather patterns and prepare for the worst of the storms that impact us.”

According to Brennan, his training benefits the community by examining techniques in depth to ensure the agency is equipped with the knowledge needed in an emergency to strengthen planning, coordination and response.

By equipping emergency management professionals with the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to confront evolving risks, FEMA aims to ensure the United States remains secure and resilient in the face of disasters and emergencies, safeguarding lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure while demonstrating a long-term investment in the nation’s security and resilience.

For more information about the Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, visit www.wcemaohio.org.

Dan Starcher is the communications coordinator for Wayne County.