Community Connections: HCC Public Safety Institute receives $100,000 for training
Apr 2, 2015
At the January meeting of the Houston Community College Board of Trustees, The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo presented a $100,000 check to the Houston Community College Public Safety Institute.
The financial support will be used to purchase and update equipment used to train students in programs offered by the PSI. The HLSR has a longstanding relationship with HCC and has generously donated more than $1 million to the HCC Foundation for scholarships and training. Over the past four years, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has donated more than $400,000 specifically to the PSI to help purchase items that include fire equipment and high-tech medical simulators to run real life scenarios during training sessions.
Joel Cowley, HLSR president and chief executive officer, and other committee members toured the PSI facilities and observed training demonstrations in the emergency medical services, fire technology and law enforcement programs.
“We like supporting the public safety program, because we can see where the money is going and the tangible results,” said Cowley.
The PSI plans to use half of the new funds for supplies and equipment in the Fire Technology program. Students training in the Fire Academy will soon have access to new self-contained breathing apparatuses or SCBAs, a device that provides breathable air to first responders when operating in dangerous atmospheres. The remaining funds will bring advanced technology to the HCC Emergency Medical Services Program.
A birthing simulator will be added to the program. The new device will give students an opportunity to experience realistic childbirth scenarios in a classroom environment. The life-sized and computerized manikin is capable of giving birth and running a range of scenarios from a normal delivery to a breeched birth. EMS students will be able to conduct interactive exercises and apply skills learned in the program on the mock patient.
“We are extremely excited about being able to add the birthing simulator to our program. It will provide an additional opportunity for students to learn when clinical environments are unavailable,” said Vicki May, EMS faculty division chair.
The HCC Public Safety Institute is a state-of-the-art regional training facility for police, firefighters and paramedics, offering AAS degrees and certificates in each program. The Institute also provides customized training and professional development for local and state agencies. The PSI is located at the HCC Northeast Campus, 555 Community College Drive. For more information on public safety programs offered at HCC, call 713-718-8300 or visit northeast.hccs.edu.