Governor Ron DeSantis announced the official rollout of the Coalition for Operational Readiness in Education, or CORE, at Florida International University Wednesday afternoon.
According to the press release announcing the rollout, "CORE, a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative, will strengthen and modernize the emergency management industry through strategic partnerships with colleges, universities, training institutes, government agencies, and private sector organizations, providing students with hands-on experience and practical knowledge before graduation."
The program was initially announced in June, the beginning of hurricane season in the Sunshine State.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management, FloridaCommerce and the Florida Department of Education partnered to create the coalition which aims to prepare students for jobs in the emergency preparedness workforce.
"CORE will ensure Florida has a well-rounded and well-prepared workforce ready to respond to disasters across the state," the press release shared.
A total of 11 colleges and universities agreed to adopt the program at their institution. However, Gov. DeSantis said he hopes to eventually get every college, university, technical school and trade school in the state involved.
The program is also open to non-emergency management majors, with the goal of attracting people to the industry with transferable skills.
Through the press release, Gov. DeSantis said the program will help maintain the state's ability to respond to emergencies and natural disasters by thinking ahead and preparing the future workforce.
"CORE allows Florida to plan for the future, equipping the next generation to build the skills, knowledge and experience needed to join the workforce directly after graduation," the press release shared. "Through customized learning pathways, necessary credentials, internships, apprenticeships, and marketing opportunities, students will receive resources and training to better understand Florida-specific emergency management."
Even though some institutions already provide emergency management training, CORE provides a more personalized approach, including participation in real-world disaster operations. And the program will connect students with industry professionals, raise awareness around opportunities within the industry and highlight potential careers within the field.
"Florida is the epicenter of emergency management talent, training, and frontier technology, and the number one state for workforce development," DeSantis wrote in an X post announcing the program rollout. "As our great state continues to grow, our emergency management workforce must expand and adapt to meet the needs of Floridians."
Florida is the epicenter of emergency management talent, training, and frontier technology, and the number one state for workforce development. As our great state continues to grow, our emergency management workforce must expand and adapt to meet the needs of Floridians.
That’s… pic.twitter.com/ebQNgca3N6
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 26, 2026
