What’s in the News
Discover career information, conference dates, webinars, and important information about planning, preparing, and training for a natural or man-made disaster
Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS)
The Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance (TA) Center supports K-12 schools, colleges, and universities in providing emergency management resources, training, and publications with improving and strengthening their emergency management plans.
Campus Safety and Security Reporting Training
Campus security and safety is an important feature of postsecondary education. The Department of Education is committed to assisting schools in providing students nationwide a safe environment in which to learn and to keep students, parents and employees well informed about campus security.
Guide for Improving Survivability in Active Shooter Incidents
Recent improvised explosive device (IED) and active shooter incidents reveal that some traditional practices of first responders need to be realigned and enhanced to improve survivability of victims and the safety of first responders caring for them.
COVID-19 Protecting Health Care Workers-Lessons from Taiwan and Italy
Worldwide, health care workers (HCWs), the front-line defense force against COVID-19, have been infected with and died from this disease. Occupational health care providers in the United States (U.S.) are currently addressing emergency protocols.

Our Center provides statewide leadership which supports diversity and ensures the industry’s academic programs remain cutting-edge.
What We Do?
The Center of Excellence for Homeland Security-Emergency Management (HSEM) helps state community and technical colleges (CTC) prepare a skilled workforce to help maintain our national security, ensure an effective response to all-hazard events through education and training initiatives, and build disaster resilience in our communities.
Our goal is to provide effective leadership and coordination that rapidly responds to the interests of educational institutions and workforce training needs of the HSEM (all-hazard) business and industry sectors across the state. From our offices at Pierce College in Lakewood, Washington, we accomplish this through working with a coalition of all 34 community and technical colleges, public agencies, and private sector organizations.
OUR GOALS
The Center serves the interests of education institutions and workforce training needs of Homeland Security Emergency Management business and industry sectors across Washington State.
We help prepare a skilled workforce to maintain our national security and effectively respond to all hazard events through education and training.