The Academy of Military-Industrial-Complex Studies Churning Out Wanna Be Jack Bauers

Ledger Enquirer
Posted: 2007-10-29 20:40:50

Some Homeland Security professionals may soon begin their training in a Phenix City classroom.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College announced Friday that it will offer an associate degree in applied science and a certificate in Homeland Security beginning in January -- the first of its kind in the state.

The college is also establishing a public safety academy to bring its programs in criminal justice, fire science and emergency management programs under "one umbrella organization," CVCC President Laurel Blackwell said at a news conference Friday morning.

The college received a $350,000 appropriation from Congress to help establish the programs.

The curriculum for the Homeland Security program was designed by a committee that included several local emergency management and public safety officials, including Russell County Sheriff Tommy Boswell and Chance Corbett, Russell County Homeland Security and Emergency Management director.

Boswell, who is also an adjunct professor at the community college, said the program is different from the courses CVCC already offers in criminal justice and fire safety.

"It's different -- it concentrates on the management of emergencies and the response to disaster," he said. Corbett said many public safety professionals learn management skills at work. The program gives students an opportunity to learn those same skills in a college setting. "I am very excited and glad to have had a hand in it," he said.

The program has two tracks, Boswell said, and can accommodate people just out of high school, as well as public safety professionals looking to further their education.

Courses include cyber forensics and information security, bio-defense and agro-terrorism and crisis management.

Alabama Congressman Mike Rogers, who serves on the U.S. House's Homeland Security Committee, said at the conference that the program will help address risks that come not only to big cities, but rural parts of the country as well.

"It is in small town America," he said. "Take care of New York, take care of Chicago, but also take care of Phenix City, Alabama."