Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Launches Northeast Emergency Management Training & Education Center

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the launch of the Northeast Emergency Management Training & Education Center (NEMTEC), designed to strengthen regional response to climate change and other emergencies. Led by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), this comprehensive training program will provide advanced education and expanded resources to New England’s emergency management professionals, who face evolving challenges due to the increasing complexity and frequency of crisis events.

The six New England states formed NEMTEC to meet a growing need among state and local emergency managers for improved access to training on emerging trends and expanding risks, including human-made hazards, infectious diseases, and climate and weather-related emergencies. NEMTEC participants from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island will learn the latest strategies, tactics, and skills to mitigate the severity of threats and improve outcomes.

“The establishment of NEMTEC represents another important step in the Commonwealth’s comprehensive approach to addressing emergency preparedness, including the challenges posed by the climate crisis. Today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, driven in part by climate change, represents an immense challenge for the emergency management community,” said Governor Maura T. Healey. “When disaster strikes, emergency managers require the specialized knowledge and unique capabilities to adapt and respond effectively. I commend MEMA for its leadership on this regional effort.”  

Emergency management professionals are integral to the crisis mitigation, pre-disaster planning, and recovery efforts that lessen impacts and increase disaster resiliency. This innovative collaboration comes at a pivotal time when the threat landscape is rapidly changing. The World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations has reported that over the past 50 years, there has been a five-fold increase globally in the number of disasters driven largely by climate change and extreme weather, including droughts, storms, floods, and extreme temperatures. These events can have a devastating impact on communities and infrastructure. 

“MEMA’s launch of NEMTEC underscores the Commonwealth’s commitment to protecting communities and mitigating disproportionate outcomes for impacted populations,” said Lt. Governor Kimberley Driscoll. “NEMTEC is a vital step in building a resilient and sustainable future for all of Massachusetts and the region.”

“With today’s ever-changing risk environment, there has perhaps never been a more important time to ensure emergency management practitioners are prepared to carry out their unique responsibilities and, most importantly, help those in need,” said Secretary Terrence M. Reidy. “NEMTEC will empower emergency managers to improve planning and bolster response operations, resulting in safer and more prepared communities. I am grateful to MEMA and our emergency management colleagues for strengthening our collective resolve through this important initiative.”

The Center will offer a variety of courses and workshops covering a wide range of topics, including the National Emergency Management Basic Academy, Emergency Operation Center Management, incident management, mission support, among others. Courses will be offered through in-person, virtual, and hybrid modalities to increase participant accessibility and convenience.

“Emergency preparedness requires continuous investment in the women and men who dedicate themselves to this vital mission,” said Jeanne Benincasa Thorpe, Undersecretary of Homeland Security. “I would like to thank MEMA for its dedication to supporting the professional development of the emergency management community, and I look forward to NEMTEC’s positive impact on the field.”

“By working collaboratively with other states and offering a combination of virtual, hybrid, and in-person participation, we can ensure that professionals have direct access to the specialized training they need to succeed in their roles and keep our communities safe,” said MEMA Acting Director Dawn Brantley. “MEMA is also committed to the universal accessibility of this program to ensure that emergency management professionals with disabilities and those whose primary language is not English have equal access to the program and have their voices and perspectives incorporated."

In addition to providing training and education resources, NEMTEC will also manage an extensive curriculum and cadre of experienced professionals to deliver these programs, ensuring that participants receive high-quality instruction from knowledgeable and experienced instructors. Participants can expect regular updates to course offerings that will incorporate emerging technologies and best practices in training and response to evolving threats and events within the region.

For more information about NEMTEC and to register for courses and workshops, please visit the MEMA website at www.mass.gov/mema/NEMTEC.

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