Governor DeSantis launches first rollout of Coalition for Operational Readiness in Education at Florida International University
Miami, Florida – Florida is beginning a new effort to prepare students for careers in emergency management, with Governor Ron DeSantis announcing the first official rollout of the Coalition for Operational Readiness in Education at Florida International University.
Known as CORE, the initiative is designed to connect students with the practical side of emergency management before they graduate. The statewide program brings together colleges and universities, training institutions, government agencies and private organizations to give students hands-on experience, professional connections and a better understanding of what the emergency management workforce requires.
The program is being developed through a partnership involving the Florida Division of Emergency Management, FloridaCommerce and the Florida Department of Education. Its goal is to bridge the space between what students learn in classrooms and the skills they will need once they enter the workforce.
FIU in Miami is the first institution to officially roll out CORE. State officials said 11 institutions have already committed to participating, with plans to expand the initiative to more schools across Florida.
“Florida leads the country in emergency management and response. Maintaining that capability requires investing in the people who will dedicate their careers to helping our state prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural disasters and other emergencies,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “CORE is rolling out first at FIU in Miami, and 11 institutions so far have committed to participating in the program. Our goal is to reach every college, university, technical school and trade school in Florida and create a model for emergency management workforce development that can be replicated across the country.”
Emergency management is a field that requires preparation long before a disaster occurs. Professionals may be involved in planning, communication, logistics, recovery, public safety and many other responsibilities. CORE is intended to give students a clearer path into that work while helping Florida build a larger pool of trained professionals.
The initiative will use customized learning pathways so students can explore emergency management in ways that match their education and career interests. Training, credentials, internships and apprenticeships are among the opportunities that will be available through the program.
The emphasis on practical experience is one of the central parts of CORE. Students will have opportunities to gain knowledge that goes beyond traditional classroom instruction and learn more about the emergency management challenges that are specific to Florida.
“Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, CORE will expand into universities across Florida and continue to build the next generation of emergency managers,” said Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “FDEM is proud of our continuous work in building a stronger, more resilient Florida with the help of students from across the state.”
Florida already has colleges and universities offering emergency management programs. CORE is not intended simply to duplicate those existing courses. Instead, state officials say it will create additional and personalized opportunities that allow students to gain a deeper understanding of the profession and develop connections with people already working in the industry.
The initiative also takes a broader view of who can enter emergency management. Students do not necessarily need to be enrolled in a traditional emergency management degree program to find a place in the field.
CORE will offer specialized tracks for students studying subjects such as finance and communications, as well as students attending trade schools or participating in military programs. Those backgrounds can provide skills that are useful during emergency operations, even if students have not previously considered emergency management as a career.
That approach could give the industry access to a wider range of talent. Financial planning, communication, technical work and other specialties can all play important roles when communities are preparing for or responding to emergencies.
By introducing students to those possibilities earlier, CORE is also intended to raise awareness of the many careers available in emergency management.
The program’s developers say building the workforce is particularly important for Florida because of the state’s need to prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies. Having trained professionals ready to respond is part of maintaining the state’s emergency management capabilities.
CORE is therefore focused not only on immediate workforce needs but also on preparing for the future. Through education, training and real-world opportunities, the initiative is intended to help students enter jobs with relevant skills and experience soon after graduation.
State officials also hope the program will help Florida attract and retain talent. By offering students clearer pathways into emergency management and connecting them with professional networks, CORE could encourage more people to build long-term careers in the field.
The first rollout at FIU marks the beginning of what state leaders describe as a much larger statewide effort. With 11 colleges already committed, the program has a foundation from which to expand.
The ultimate goal is to reach every college, university, technical school and trade school in Florida. If that expansion continues, students from a wide range of educational backgrounds could have access to emergency management training and career opportunities.
For Florida, the initiative represents an effort to make workforce development part of emergency preparedness itself. Instead of waiting until students graduate to introduce them to the profession, CORE aims to connect education and employment while they are still in school.
The state hopes that approach will produce graduates who are better prepared to step into emergency management jobs and contribute to disaster preparation, response and recovery.
With FIU serving as the first official location for the CORE rollout, Florida is now beginning a program designed to strengthen both its education system and its emergency management workforce. The initiative’s future expansion will determine how widely those opportunities become available, but state officials have already made clear that the goal is statewide participation.
As more institutions join, CORE is expected to create additional pathways for students to gain credentials, practical experience and professional connections while helping Florida develop a workforce capable of meeting the demands of future emergencies.
