Environmental Health, Safety, and Security Department’s Five-Year Vision

The department will continue as a diverse group of programs made up of two institutes, the Hazardous Materials Training and Research Institute (HMTRI) and the National Mass Fatalities Institute (NMFI), and three centers, the Kirkwood Environmental Technology Center (ETC), the Midwest OSHA Education Center (MOEC), and the Eastern Iowa Fire Service Training Center (EI Fire).

The department shall become the premiere environmental health, safety and security program in the nation at a non-research based educational institution, providing comprehensive training and educational development services through a blend of delivery options from hands-on laboratory to web based asynchronous distance learning.  The department will continue to excel in seeking out and filling unique niches in the greater environmental health, safety and security training and education marketplace. 

The Kirkwood Community College Environmental Health, Safety and Security Department will develop, deliver, and evaluate environmental health, safety, and security training and education programs regionally for business, industry, and municipalities, and nationally for agencies, colleges, and other training providers.

Environmental Health, Safety and Security Department staff values commitment, willingness to serve, safety, collaboration, innovation, and the ability and encouragement to “think outside the box.”  Staff embraces change and does not oppose it.  Because of this, staff is able to provide high quality, high value, and cutting edge, authoritative, hands-on training blended with computer-aided education.

The staff develops new programs, finds better ways to do things, and shares information through meeting with and learning from people throughout the world.  Staff finds work rewarding when nurtured with the time and resources that allow their ideas to flourish. 

Most of all, staff knows they do make a difference.   The result of their work is a safer environment to live and work in, and a more informed, responsible society. This staff values the fact that they save lives through education and training.

• To provide environmental health, safety, fire service and security training to our service area and be a leader to the community and the state in the management of the environmental health, safety, fire service and security training.
• To be one of the college’s national program leaders, sharing our innovations and resources by partnering with other community colleges, four-year colleges, universities, and government agencies in areas related to environmental health, safety, and security.
• To be a resource to Kirkwood Community College departments by providing environmental health, safety, fire service, and security curriculum and instruction.
• To assist the college in the management of its environment to provide for the health and safety of students, staff, and visitors.
• To serve on boards, commissions, and committees within our local area, the state, and the nation, sharing our experience and expertise.
• To design, develop, and implement high-quality, cutting-edge programs in our service areas, locally, nationally, and internationally, in the environmental health, safety, fire service and security fields based on the changing needs of the community and embracing new technologies as they emerge.

Staffing

Program staffing is adequate for HMTRI, NMFI, MOEC and EIFire, funded through grants and contracts.

Additional staffing for the Environmental Health, Safety, and Security Technology AAS program will be required and should be supported by tuition.

Administrative and supervisory staff transition will need to be implemented over the next five years.

Infrastructure 

Classrooms, laboratories, and offices are adequate and equipped to support effective instruction and curriculum development.

Move the existing fire training facility.  The facility is being surrounded by buildings, which is curtailing the extent that it can support live fire training needs.  The facility should be moved to a rural setting, which will require reconstruction of a classroom, restrooms, shower facility, pump house, storage building, burn building, simulations building, retention pond, and fuel supply point.  Partners could include Cedar Rapids Fire Department, Linn County Fire Departments, Eastern Iowa Airport, and DAEC.

Program Development

Continue to develop curriculum for both traditional delivery disseminated through Train-the-Trainer programs and blended learning promoting access, exchange, and dissemination of specialized industry-driven programs anytime/anywhere.

Develop and implement a new Environmental Health, Safety, and Security Technology AAS program.

Develop a new ODP-approved NMFI Course and submit other national training programs for approval.

Staff Development

Staff development needs to be emphasized to continue national leadership, visibility, and understanding of emerging trends through: 

• Staff attending national conferences, committees, and meetings.
• Staff attending formal training programs presented by industry experts.
• Staff serving on committees and attending meetings with environmental health and safety decision-makers and researchers at the state and national level.
• Staff interaction and guidance from the department’s world-class advisory committees.

Evaluation

Each program will develop goals, objectives, and annual progress reports.

The department is committed to implementing this vision and will share responsibility for its success among team members.

• Registrations and program income are monthly dashboard indicators.
• Evaluations from returning and non-returning clients are a secondary dashboard measure.
• Advisory committee and external evaluator reports are quarterly indicators. 
• Annual grant reporting noting attainment of goals and objectives is the primary measure of progress.

Besides using “bean counting” and evaluations from returning customers as dashboard indicators, we measure our progress by the fact that we are still here after 30 years.  We are grant and contract funded and continue to thrive because our customers are satisfied with our product.   We measure our progress by the funding of grants given to us and we also feel we are above the rest when agencies seek association with us.  We are gratified by hearing it through “word-of-mouth” and are known by the longevity of our partners.

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