The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched a pilot program for colleges and universities in the United States aimed at enhancing preparedness and campus resilience.
DHS plans to competitively select six colleges or universities nationwide to pilot emergency preparedness and resilience planning processes.
“DHS is committed to working with our partners throughout government and in the academic community to make our nation’s college and university campuses more safe, secure and resilient,” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement. “Through the Campus Resilience Pilot Program, we will support campuses and communities in leveraging existing capabilities and seeking new and innovative approaches to making campuses more resilient.”
At the federal level DHS will work with the Departments of Education and Justice on the Campus Resilience pilot. These federal agencies in turn will work with state, local, and private sector partners to engage schools to improve their preparedness and resilience.
Applications to be considered as a pilot site are due by Feb. 22 and the winning sites will be announced in March.