FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 9, 2003 MEDIA CONTACT: Richard Sheehe, (202) 994-3631 or sheehe@gwu.edu GW TO LAUNCH FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING INSTITUTE, JUNE 23   WASHINGTON - The George Washington University launches its Response to Emergencies and Disasters Institute (READI) later this month with a ceremony at GW's Virginia Campus in Loudoun County, where READI will be based. Established with the help of a $5 million federal appropriation, READI is a comprehensive center designed to train firefighters, EMS and law enforcement personnel---as well as public health officials and other non-traditional first responders---in an integrated approach to major emergencies, with a special emphasis on terrorism preparedness and response. GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA) and Department of Homeland Security official Mike Byrne will deliver remarks at the launch ceremony, scheduled for Monday, June 23 from noon until 2:00 p.m. at the main building of GW's Virginia Campus, 20101 Academic Way, Ashburn, Virginia (map and driving directions at www.gwvirginia.gwu.edu/visitor/location.html) "READI is the latest instance of GW's commitment of energy and resources to help make our country a safer place to live," said President Trachtenberg. "This Institute will operationalize the concept of homeland security by bringing advanced training to the individuals who need it most: first responders and those on the front lines who risk their lives to protect others. GW is the lead partner in this project, which includes participation from George Mason University's law enforcement and nursing programs and Shenandoah University's pharmacy program. "Congress identified a need to provide emergency preparedness and response training to a wide audience of first responders," said Congressman Wolf. "READI is a fine example of this and has the potential to become a model for similar programs across the country." READI will focus on providing emergency responders with a thorough understanding of emergency preparedness, while developing and demonstrating "best practices" for emergency personnel nationwide. 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. "September 11th underscored the need to emphasize a regional approach for emergency preparedness," said Daniel Kaniewski, executive director of GW's Center for Emergency Preparedness, which administers READI. "What READI does is to get everyone at one location, at one time, training together." All news releases and tipsheets available onlinewww.MedMediaSource.org For more information about the GW Virginia Campus, visit www.gwvirginia.gwu.edu - GW - Return to News Releases Directory

© 1998 The George Washington University Virginia Campus

20101 Academic Way
Ashburn, Virginia 20147-2604
(703) 729-8300 Voice (703) 729-7244 Fax

WebQuestions@va.gwu.edu