5 credits

In consideration of technological innovation, terrorism, and other modern factors, threats to the American public are changing, thus requiring professionals who have the ability to identify, plan for, and mitigate crime and disaster incidents. In this course, students examine foundational public safety concepts and investigate issues faced by public safety agencies and personnel at the local, state, and national levels, including police and sheriff, emergency medical services, fire services, and related organizations. They explore and discuss the ways in which public safety organizations communicate and coordinate, and they learn why effective interaction is vital to emergency management. They also have the opportunity to gain practical experience employing tools used by public safety professionals, such as a public safety constituency matrix through which they assess competing demands on the various agencies. In this course, students work toward gaining the skills necessary to anticipate the needs of various constituents to develop effective public safety initiatives.