UH Disaster Preparedness Center to Receive $5M

Halema‘uma‘u Crater as seen from Volcano House on Saturday night, just following the explosion. Volcano House is approximately two miles away from the vent. NPS Photo/Sami Steinkamp.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced on Monday, June 26, 2017, that the Department of Homeland Security will award the National Disaster Preparedness Training Center at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa a $5 million grant to fund its ongoing disaster preparedness programs.

“Given Hawai‘i’s vulnerability to natural hazards as diverse as tsunami, hurricane, earthquake and volcanic eruption, comprehensive disaster preparedness training is critical to save lives and recover quickly from extreme events,” said Sen. Schatz. “The NDTPC leverages what we have learned to create training courses that are used nationwide. This funding will continue this crucial work, while helping to ensure that when disaster does strike, Hawai‘i will be ready.”

The NDPTC is a member of DHS’s National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC) and works collaboratively to develop and deliver training and education in the areas of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery to governmental, private, tribal and nonprofit entities, and under-represented/under-served communities. It incorporates urban planning and environmental management, emphasizing community preparedness and addressing the needs of vulnerable at-risk populations.