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:
- 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) - Day 9 (1/19/2026)Written By: 4/C Luis Ramirez Today was our 9th day of our Experiential Learning trip in Western North Carolina. We started the day with a 0630 wake up and then a quick breakfast and then got ready to begin our day of volunteer work. We split into two groups, one of which went back to… Read more: Day 9 (1/19/2026)
- Day 8 (1/28/2026)Written By: 4/C William Shanahan Today we went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This morning, the Rates were very kind and made us eggs and bacon for breakfast. This was a nice change of pace because we have only been having a quick breakfast every day. Dr. Cheek warned us to watch out of the window to… Read more: Day 8 (1/28/2026)
- Day 7 (1/17/2026)Written By 4/C Thomas Daley Today we started our day by waking up at 0630. We ate breakfast, prepared for the day by dressing warmly in our boilersuits, and as my group had a different project today, we headed to our job site at 0830, about a half an hour later than the rest of… Read more: Day 7 (1/17/2026)
- Day 6 (1/16/2026)Written By: 4/C Austin Bessette We were up bright and early this morning at 6:30 a.m., and I was genuinely excited for the day ahead since it marked my first day doing demolition work. Breakfast consisted of Jimmy Dean sausage, egg, and cheese croissant sandwiches along with strawberry Oikos protein yogurt, which gave us the… Read more: Day 6 (1/16/2026)
- Day #14 – Tuesday 20 January 2026
Hello again, this is Jonathan Isabelle, and I am one of the two seniors on this trip. Last week, my group worked in San Antonio at a community center that provides classes for children living in poverty. Before this experience, I didn’t truly understand what poverty looks like in a developing country. At first glance,… Read more: Day #14 – Tuesday 20 January 2026 - Day #13 – Monday 19 January 2026
This is Professor Cadwalader hijacking the student blog. Today (Monday 19 January 2026) was the first workday of week two, and the morning came early for the climbers recovering from conquering Volcán Acatenango. It will be a short but busy week. On Friday, the team travels to the La Iguana Perdida hostel on the banks… Read more: Day #13 – Monday 19 January 2026