Pass Christian, MS – Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to the City Hall of Pass Christian. A new city hall and public library were opened to the public in July, 2010 after they were rebuilt and restored with Public Assistance from FEMA.
The Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC), led by The Center for Rural Development, is offering tuition-free training focused on aiding government officials and emergency responders in developing plans to ensure continuity of essential government functions in emergency situations.
MGT 416 Continuity of Government Operations Planning for Rural Communities is an eight-hour course delivered by NorthWest Arkansas Community College. The course will help stakeholders develop a plan to ensure that local and state government functions will continue in the case of an emergency.
History demonstrates that disasters and emergencies often interrupt, degrade, or destroy local government’s ability to perform essential functions. This is especially true in rural communities where resources are typically limited under the best of circumstances.
These jurisdictions must develop plans that address succession planning, redundant communications, and alternate site needs for their communities to face increasingly frequent threats. The course will expose participants to the benefits of developing continuity of government plans.
Visit www.ruraltraining.org to learn more about MGT 416 Continuity of Government Operations Planning for Rural Communities and other courses offered by RDPC.
All training delivered by RDPC is certified by DHS and is offered tuition-free for a broad scope of stakeholders, including the traditional emergency response disciplines, and other emergency support functions as defined by the National Response Framework, as well as critical infrastructure owners and operators.
About RDPC
RDPC is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Training and Education Division (NTED) partnership of academic instit
utions with a vision of creating an environment wherein rural communities across America will have the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to enhance the safety, security, and quality of life for their citizens.
Current members of the Consortium include Eastern Kentucky University, The University of Findlay, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, North Carolina Central University, and the University of California-Davis. Each of these institutions possesses extensive and unique capabilities relating to rural homeland security preparedness training.
The Center for Rural Development, located in Somerset, Ky., is the executive agent for the RDPC. As executive agent, The Center provides grant administration and general oversight of the consortium.
Additionally, The Center is responsible for marketing, website hosting and administration, delivery coordination, data collection and reporting, and additional technologies including a large network of interactive television (ITV), videoconferencing, and learning management systems necessary to manage large student populations and deliver courses to rural responders across the nation.
