How UMGC Is Preparing the Next Generation of Responders

Why leadership still matters

As drones and emerging technologies reshape public safety, experts like Swain and Baumgartner say effective preparedness still depends on people. The ability to communicate, adapt, and make sound decisions during a crisis remains just as important as technological tools responders have at their disposal.

That idea helped inspire UMGC's new Master of Science in Public Safety Leadership, which combines leadership fundamentals with discipline-specific coursework for professionals in fields such as law enforcement. According to Swain, the program was designed to help public safety professionals strengthen the leadership and decision-making skills needed in complex and often unpredictable situations.

While technology can provide valuable information, it cannot replace human judgment or interpersonal skills.

"You must have those human skills. Technology can't solve everything," Swain said. "It can't reach out to you and make a human connection."

Preparing for emergencies also requires understanding what is available and building relationships before a crisis occurs.

As Swain noted, "You can't learn what resources are available to you when the emergency is there. You must know what you have going in."

Together, programs such as the Drones & Autonomous Systems certificate and the Public Safety Leadership master's reflect a broader approach to preparedness: pairing innovative technology with the leadership, communication, and decision-making skills needed to put it to effective use.

Preparing for what comes next

Preparing for emergencies means more than responding to today's challenges. It also requires understanding how evolving technologies may shape public safety, emergency management, and other fields.

UMGC is helping students build technical expertise alongside the leadership skills needed to adapt as new technologies emerge. The emphasis is not only on preparedness, but also on adapting to change.

For Baumgartner, one of the most exciting aspects of the program is exposing students to where the industry may be headed next.

"The strides that it took in 10 years, these technologies are only getting better and evolving faster," he said.

UMGC's public-safety programs emphasize the importance of sound leadership and decision-making. The goal is to prepare professionals who can evaluate emerging tools, understand their implications, and apply them responsibly when communities need them most.

September is National Preparedness Month. Learn more about how UMGC students are helping strengthen flood resilience in Garrett County, Maryland, and how a Mongomery County Police Department Captain shares his drone knowledge with UMGC students as an instructor.