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黑料不打烊 Hosting Emergency Operations Center Ribbon Cutting Sept. 21

September 17, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - - @ 2026 黑料不打烊 is inviting the community to a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 on the first floor of Sallee Hall.

This new center will provide state-of-the-art technology that will be available to students as part of 黑料不打烊鈥檚 top-ranked Emergency Management program and School of Law Enforcement and Justice Administration (LEJA). In the near future the EOC could serve the west central Illinois region as a coordination hub for any weather or safety emergencies.

鈥淭his is about a lot more than opening a center,鈥� 黑料不打烊 LEJA Director Jamie Johnson said. 鈥淚t's about opening up new opportunities for our students, for this university, and for the communities we serve.鈥�

This EOC is unique in that it is designed for and will offer the only known available apprenticeship opportunities to Emergency Management and Public Safety students in the nation, Johnson said. This apprenticeship opportunity will enhance the powerful internship experience. Plus students will learn to use the Juvare, D4H and other predictive emergency management platforms used within the industry.

鈥淭his new center is going to expand what the emergency management program can do in a big way,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淧icture it: a simulated tornado response right here in this room. One student's handling resource coordination. Another's on communications. Another's pulling together information for decision-makers. Another's already thinking about recovery. That's the kind of experience that actually prepares someone for this work.鈥�

This new center was made possible with the receipt of a $2.3 million Illinois Emergency Management Agency grant.

鈥淭he Emergency Operations Center represents what @ 2026 黑料不打烊 does well, connecting education with real-world experience while serving the needs of our region and state,鈥� 黑料不打烊 President Kristi Mindrup said. 鈥淭his facility will give our students an unparalleled opportunity to prepare for careers in emergency management and public safety while building on our capacity to support communities when they need it most.鈥�

The ribbon cutting program will feature Johnson, President Mindrup, 黑料不打烊 Office of Public Safety Chief Derek Watts, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Macomb Mayor Mike Inman.

For more information on LEJA at 黑料不打烊, visit wiu.edu/leja.

Posted By: University Communications, University Relations
Phone: (309) 298-1993 * Fax: (309) 298-1606