Emergency and disaster-related challenges impact individuals, families, businesses, and governments around the globe. Our Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) program equips students with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in both the public and private sectors—including federal, state, and local government, law enforcement, fire services, and the military. The curriculum emphasizes the four key phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Students also have the option to pursue a minor in Homeland Security.
Our curriculum recognizes that classroom instruction must be complemented by practical and hands-on learning opportunities. We partner with communities and agencies throughout Massachusetts and neighboring states to support exercises and volunteer activities related to Emergency Management and Homeland Security. All first-year students are required to participate in a two-week experiential learning trip led by our faculty. This service-learning program integrates students with volunteer organizations that help communities prepare for and recover from disasters and improve resiliency. Previous partnerships have included Habitat for Humanity in Florida and Team Rubicon in California. This year’s freshmen will be travelling to Asheville, North Carolina to help with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. Experiential learning destinations are subject to change annually as we adjust to real-world events, but meaningful work, camaraderie, and team-building remain the pillars of each trip. In addition, as cadets advance through the curriculum, they are required to complete at least two cooperative education (co-op) placements, gaining real-world experience in the field. To further prepare for professional success, cadets may earn certifications such as: Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Massachusetts, Firefighter I and II (in partnership with the Onset Fire Department), and Paramedic Certification (in partnership with the Comprehensive Medical Training Institute).
Latest Emergency Management Updates:
- Final Blog PostWNC Final BlogWritten by: Dr. Samantha Montano Our first ever experiential learning trip to Western North Carolina has come to a successful end!Hurricane Helene affected communities from Florida to the mid-Atlantic. Among the most severelyimpacted was Western North Carolina (WNC). As a department we always are looking for ways tohelp students gain hands on experience… Read more: Final Blog Post
- Farewell to Guatemala
Hello again, and with mixed emotions, for the last time. The two seniors on the Guatemala 2026 experience, Olivia Coffren and I, Jonathan Isabelle, were tasked with wrapping up this unforgettable journey so that friends and family of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy could briefly experience both the beauty and hardships of Guatemala. By combining our… Read more: Farewell to Guatemala - Day 8Written By: Skylar Coakley Today we got to go to Marshall for our last day of volunteer work. I went to Trish’s studio to help with some of the smaller tasks she needed done. I had a few different tasks during the time we had at Trish’s today, my main task was painting a slab… Read more: Day 8
- Day 7Written By: Samuel Racine Today’s adventure truly lived up to its name. Dr. Cheek was kind enough to take us to one of his old hiking spots, where we were able to fully enjoy the outdoors and embrace the beauty of North Carolina. The view at the top of our hike was extraordinary. I had… Read more: Day 7
- Day 6 (1/31/2026)Written By: 3/C Seamus Rudolph Today was another snow day, but with a bit more structure than yesterday. We began the day with some quiche for breakfast made by Mr Smith. We then moved onto our TTX, in which the scenario was a disease outbreak with zombie-like symptoms. My role was Planning Section Chief, the… Read more: Day 6 (1/31/2026)
- Day 5 (1/30/2026)Written by 4/C Natalie Frasca Today, Friday January 30th we started the day by visiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). At FEMA we had the opportunity to listen to a presentation from FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) team. We also got the opportunity to listen in on two briefings to show the recovery progress on… Read more: Day 5 (1/30/2026)
- Day 3 (1/29/2026)
Written by: 3/C Boden Poirier Today, we went into Marshall, where Seamus, Sam, and I helped put up lights in the Marshall High art studio with the guidance of Mr. Herrera. We also assisted with cleaning up part of a site that Demo Group A had worked on. It was an old bar. At first,… Read more: Day 3 (1/29/2026) - Day 2 (1/28/2026)
Written by: 4/C Thomas Richardson Today (1/28), we drove into downtown Marshall, NC along the French Broad River. This area that was deeply affected by Hurricane Helene. While in the area, we met Rachel Bennett, a Community Relations Liaison for the Marshall Relief Alliance, a local non-profit organization. She walked us around town and told us various stories… Read more: Day 2 (1/28/2026) - Day 1 (1/27/2026)
Written by: 4/C Matthew Holton Today, January 7th, we have finally arrived in Asheville, NC after a 3 day delay due to the winter weather crossing through the United states. We arrived at Logan Airport at 7:00 am for our 9:45am flight. We boarded around 9:20. Before we took off they had to de-ice the… Read more: Day 1 (1/27/2026) - Day #24 – Last day in Antigua – Friday 30 January 2026
Post by David Krise Today marked the final chapter of this unforgettable journey. My day began like so many others here in Antigua —a 0620 wake-up call and a short walk to Violetta’s for breakfast. After discussing our plans for the day, we met our mentors outside and split off to our sites. My group… Read more: Day #24 – Last day in Antigua – Friday 30 January 2026 - Day #23 – Thursday 29 January 2026
Editor’s note: Today we are offering our dear readers a reward for their loyalty – two blog entries for the price of one. The first is from 1/C Olivia Coffren. The second is from 2/C Nicholas Paolini. Blog Post # 1 – Olivia Coffren At the start of the day, my group headed back to… Read more: Day #23 – Thursday 29 January 2026 - Day #22 – Wednesday 28 January 2026
Hello again, it’s 2/C Andy Aguado-Scheyer, and I have the pleasure of writing my second and final blog for the trip. Breakfast at Violetta’s today consisted of waffles with maple syrup, accompanied by watermelon. The groups ate until around 0715, then headed outside to meet our respective mentors. My group is in San Antonio this… Read more: Day #22 – Wednesday 28 January 2026 - Day #21 – Tuesday 27 January 2026
Post by Kevin Roth At the beginning of this week, all the groups rotated to their last work locations. Yesterday, my group started working in Santa María de Jesús, a mostly Mayan town with a population of 21,795. It is about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) south of Antigua, and both municipalities are in the department… Read more: Day #21 – Tuesday 27 January 2026 - Day #20 – Monday 26 January 2026
Post by Ryan Madison. After an enjoyable and relaxing weekend at the lake, we are right back in the swing of things and finishing our last week of work in Guatemala. This week, my group is going to San Antonio to work at the community center. San Antonio is a small town outside Antigua, with… Read more: Day #20 – Monday 26 January 2026 - Day #19 – Return from Lake Atitlán – Sunday 25 January 2026
Hello again, my name is Nick O’Brien (also known as OB), and I’m coming back on here to write my second blog of the trip. For the most part, today was a travel day, with some free time before our 3rd and final work week. Just for a little background, this past weekend we were… Read more: Day #19 – Return from Lake Atitlán – Sunday 25 January 2026 - Day #18 – Lake Atitlán – Saturday 24 January 2026
Post by Tyler Dambach Today is our second day at Lake Atitlán. We woke up around 0730 and had breakfast at 0800. Breakfast was a buffet that included eggs, tortillas, fruit, and beans. After we ate breakfast, we enjoyed a beautiful view of the lake while sitting in the sun. At 1000, we joined Professor… Read more: Day #18 – Lake Atitlán – Saturday 24 January 2026 - Day #17 – Lake Atitlán – Friday 23 January 2026
By:Ryan Essam The morning began with a slightly later wake-up than usual, around 0700, which was a welcome change from the normal 0600 routine. By 8:00 sharp, we were at Violetta’s for breakfast and to pick up our bagged lunches for our trip to the lake — both of which were just as appetizing as… Read more: Day #17 – Lake Atitlán – Friday 23 January 2026 - Day #16 – Thursday 22 January 2026
-Post by 2/C Evan Pierce My day in Guatemala began, as always, with a 0600 wake-up call, followed by three cups of coffee. I feel bad for anyone who has not experienced the delight of Guatemalan coffee. It lacks the bitterness and acidity of coffee I am used to. I did not know what I… Read more: Day #16 – Thursday 22 January 2026 - Day #15 – Wednesday 21 January 2026
Hello again, my name is Thomas Thayer and I’m a sophomore on the Guatemala experiential learning trip. This past week Jon, Evan, Nick O’Brien (OB), and I worked at Asociación Creando Oportunidades in San Antonio. Here we were able to meet a few groups of students and spend some time with them as Jon mentioned… Read more: Day #15 – Wednesday 21 January 2026 - Day 10 (1/20/2026)
Written By: 4/C Sabrina Andrews Today was Day 10 of our Experiential Learning trip in Black Mountain, North Carolina. We woke up at 0630, put on our boiler suits, ate breakfast, and got ready for inspections at 0800. On the way to our destination, Ms. Trout drove us to Dunkin’. Today, my group and Mr.… Read more: Day 10 (1/20/2026)